Gothenburg student joins UNK law program
UNK political science students in the Kearney Law Opportunities Program visit the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, during a field study course.
KEARNEY — Dawson County student Rileigh McClay has been selected to study at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.
McClay is from Gothenburg and was among 19 Nebraska high school seniors who will study at UNK as members of the Kearney Law Opportunities Program, making them the largest incoming class in the program’s history.
Arriving on campus this fall, the record-setting group demonstrates strong interest in a program designed to address the shortage of lawyers in rural Nebraska. KLOP was launched in 2016 as a partnership between UNK and the University of Nebraska College of Law that recruits and trains students committed to practicing law in greater Nebraska.
Selected from communities outside Lincoln and the Omaha metropolitan area, participants receive a partial room waiver and tuition assistance during their time at UNK, with most scholarships covering the full cost of tuition. The program also provides academic support, including one-on-one mentorship from faculty and peers, professional development and experiential learning opportunities.
KLOP participants can major in any academic discipline at UNK as long as they plan to pursue a law degree after graduation.
Program director and UNK political science professor Chuck Rowling said the newest class reflects both the strength of students across rural Nebraska and the growing visibility of the program.
“These students arrive with an impressive combination of academic ability, leadership experience and a clear desire to serve their communities,” said Rowling, who chairs the UNK Department of Political Science. “What stands out most is their commitment to using a legal education as a way to strengthen the places they call home.”
KLOP scholars regularly connect with current law students, judges, attorneys and other professionals through on-campus events and visits to the Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln. Those experiences often lead to internships both locally and nationally. Students are also encouraged to pursue undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities, including field study courses focused on international human rights law in Europe and the legal history of the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S. South.
After earning a bachelor’s degree at UNK, KLOP students are guaranteed admission to the Nebraska College of Law, provided they meet GPA and Law School Admission Test requirements. A total of 52 students are currently part of KLOP, an encouraging sign as the university works to expand access to legal services throughout the state.
“Many rural areas across our state face a significant shortage of attorneys,” Rowling said. “Programs like KLOP help build a pipeline of talented young people who understand those communities and are motivated to return and make a difference.”
The 19 students recently selected for KLOP from across the state are Jaycen Hanna of Arthur, Kade Wiiest of Bassett, Jaiden Ertzner of Battle Creek, Brooklynn Hoffman of Chadron, Molly Jones of Chadron, Kynzee McConaughey of Cody, Joseph Kallhoff of Columbus, Alexis Knowlton of Columbus, Rileigh McClay of Gothenburg, Abigail Connick of Grand Island, Isabel Belina of Howells, Zachary Dauel and Carter Symington of Kearney, Zachary Buettner of Norfolk, Nicholas Krondak of North Platte, Marlee Gleason of Paxton, Kinslee Metzler of Wayne, Finley Byers of Weston and Maddox Wentworth of Yutan.
In addition to the KLOP scholars, UNK is welcoming two students selected for the Nebraska Good Life Opportunities Program. Abbigail Rath of Hyannis and Eli Kinkaid of Malcolm will join the program this fall, representing the second cohort of participants.
The Nebraska Good Life Opportunities Program was created in fall 2024 to inspire more students to pursue careers in government and public administration within the state. A partnership with the University of Nebraska at Omaha, it prepares participants for a variety of high-demand, high-wage positions, such as city managers, urban and regional planners, nonprofit managers, public policy administrators and economic development officials, among many others.
The program covers the full cost of tuition, up to 120 credit hours, for in-state students admitted to UNK. Participants receive one-on-one mentorship from the UNK faculty director along with access to professional development and experiential learning opportunities. These include internships, paid research, membership in the student chapter of the International City/County Management Association; regular interactions with city, county and state officials; and visits to the UNO School of Public Administration to meet with faculty, staff and students there.
The program also features two significant field study experiences — a one-week trip to Washington, D.C., to learn about federal policymaking and a one-week journey through the Southern U.S. to study contemporary civil rights issues. After completing their undergraduate education at UNK, students are guaranteed admission into UNO’s Master of Public Administration program, as long as they maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. They receive preferred access to scholarships and graduate assistantships at UNO, as well.
“The Good Life Opportunities Program helps ensure Nebraska has talented leaders ready to step into important roles in government and public service,” Rowling said. “Students like Abbigail and Eli are exploring careers that shape how communities grow and function, and we’re excited to support them as they develop those skills.”
For more information on these programs, visit unk.edu/klop and go.unk.edu/goodlife. Rowling can be contacted at 308-865-8171 or rowlingcm@unk.edu.
