Nebraska Today has partnered with the Chancellor’s Commission on the Status of Women to feature female office/service staff who go above and beyond in their work at Dear Old Nebraska U. This Women of Service series will run through the first week of April.
Every employee featured in this series was nominated by a member of the campus community.
Today, the series continues with Amy Sue Peterson, an administrative technician in the College of Arts and Sciences' Pound Business Cooperative, has workd on campus since 2021. Working on campus is the realization of a dream for Peterson as she enjoys opportunities to serve and learn from others.
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am passionate about learning all I can about Native American cultures and their languages. I love to travel, whether its just across the state or to a different country. I love my family, dogs and living/working in Nebraska. I appreciate being in a place where I can continue to learn and engage in conversations with those that I work for and those I work with. It has always been a dream of mine to work at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, so it means a lot to actually be here.
How long have you been at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln?
I have been at the Pound Business Cooperative since January 2021. I first came to UNL as a master's student in anthropology in 2018.
What do you look forward to when you come to work?
I look forward first, to the people I work with in the Pound Business Cooperative. We have a really good team spirit here. I also appreciate the faculty members that I work for, and the projects that I help with on a regular basis. I truly appreciate being able to offer suggestions that get put into action. I love helping people find answers to their questions.
What is your favorite memory at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln?
I would have to say coming to campus my first day of work at the Pound Business Center, realizing that my dream had come true. My mom's family is here in Nebraska, has been for four generations before her. Growing up, we always watched the Nebraska Cornhuskers football games on TV. There is just something here, beyond "Nebraska Nice" and "the Good Life." I feel like I belong.
What is your life like outside of work?
I enjoy working on my family history, and sharing that with family members. I am also working on a doctorate in anthropology, and am planning on taking my comps in April. I'm currently working on a project for my dissertation, and waiting for the weather to be a little warmer to continue it. I'm enjoying my two classes this semester, U.S. Southwest Archaeology with Carrie Heitman and Intercultural Communication with Theresa Catalano. I'm almost done with classes and can focus on my dissertation, and will hopefully be graduating in the fall of 2026.
What is something most people don't know about you?
I would have to say that my dream is to have a house on a large enough piece of land with a fence, so I could have at least three big rescue dogs. The best are the mixed breeds! I grew up with big dogs, and have had a few over the years. My last dog, Sully, that I rescued when he was 2, passed away last year at 13. Hopefully I am on a path that will lead to seeing another dream come true.
