Leonardo Wants to Help Campus Feel Like a Small Town

May 27, 2026

Group of people in red shirts standing together outdoors near a brick wall.

Coming from a high school graduating class of 26, Leonardo felt a little anxious about making the jump to 91茄子鈥檚 campus 鈥� how different would this new environment be from his small-town community?  

As it turned out out, it wouldn鈥檛 feel much different.  

鈥淚t was a huge shock, but not in the way I expected,鈥� Leonardo laughs. 鈥淔rom the outside, UNL seemed like this huge place. The minute you get here, get involved and get further in your academic journey, you realize that it鈥檚 such a close-knit community. It feels small, even if it isn鈥檛.鈥�  

From spotting familiar faces around campus to getting the hang of where all the buildings were, Leonardo鈥檚 easy shift to life as a Husker was a welcome surprise. A lot of that started with his New Student Enrollment experience, which inspired him to become an orientation leader.  

鈥淚 remember my orientation day and seeing these leaders with so much energy and excitement 鈥� it made me feel way more comfortable,鈥� he says. 鈥淟istening to their stories about how they were able to use the resources and organizations we have on campus to better their experience was so reassuring. I told myself that I would try to do the same thing for other students, especially ones from small towns like me.鈥�   

An easy way to start making campus feel a little smaller? Get involved with a student organization.  

鈥淚 won't lie: my first couple months were pretty tough. Once I started getting involved, though, I started meeting people who are now some of my best friends. Trying out new things really closed that gap for me and helped me see that this was a place I could call home.鈥� 

Five individuals in red polo shirts and khaki shorts stand together outdoors near a brick building.
From Left: 2026 New Student Orientation Leaders Isaac Cortes, Nick Stefanik, Caio Gonzalez Weymouth, Leonardo Luna-Duran and Gino Brunolli.

Asking as many questions as you want is a crucial part of New Student Enrollment orientation, says Leonardo, and he really, really wants to hear all of yours.  

鈥淎ll of us leaders are here to help you as much as possible, and if we鈥檙e not hitting on something you鈥檙e curious about, just ask. This university is a place for everyone, and the things you need to feel at home are always just a few small steps away.鈥�  

Leonardo Luna-Duran is a junior political science and Clifton Strengths management student from Neligh, NE.