Think virtual.

If you aren’t comfortable volunteering in person next year – or it’s not an option with a particular community organization – there are still a ton of ways you can volunteer virtually! In 2020, people had to get really creative. Keep an eye out for virtual opportunities in your community. If you don’t see any, it could be time for you to take the initiative. How?

Use your skills.

Think about your hobbies (or even your job). Are you an aspiring chef? Love working out? Miss having board game nights? Reach out to your community center or local organizations to see if they’d sponsor a virtual class or event with you as the leader. You won’t just be giving back to the community – you’ll be growing yourself personally and professionally by taking this project on.

Donate blood.

A lot of blood drives and local events were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19. But, as long as you’re healthy and take the right steps, you can still donate blood. Check in with the American Red Cross or a local blood bank to make sure you’re able to safely set up an appointment.

Spend your time.

Some organizations already have opportunities to serve that don’t involve in-person contact. Crisis hotlines are a great example of this. They’re often on the lookout for volunteers – and even if they aren’t, they’ll know exactly how you can still support them.

Make a financial donation.

For some people, the best way to give back is by donating money. That’s great! If you’re in a spot where you’re able to provide financial support to local organizations, there are plenty that could use the help. Some employers (like us) will even match your gifts, so your donation goes even further.

Buy local whenever possible.

Small businesses have been hurt over the past year. With limits on in-person interaction, many people have understandably felt uncomfortable going out. When you order delivery or takeout for dinner, consider going with a local option. Is your favorite business selling merchandise you’ve always thought about buying, but never had a reason to? Now’s the time. It’s important to remember that these small shops aren’t just local businesses – they’re run by people like your neighbors and friends. By supporting them, you’re making the community stronger.

Nelnet-matched donations and paid time to volunteer are just two perks of being a Nelnet associate. Curious about the others? Check ‘em out

The post 6 Ways to Give Back to Your Community in 2021 appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

As an employer of over 6,500 associates, we feel a special responsibility to empower the people we hire. To help them live their life and meet their health and wellness goals. To be the support system that keeps them motivated throughout the year – not just in the first few months. Since so many New Year’s resolutions revolve around health and wellness, here are a few of the ways that Nelnet benefits can help.

Annual Health Screenings

Across the board, Nelnet associates participate in health screenings, where trained professionals measure things like blood pressure, body mass index, and cholesterol levels. If associates meet their goals for all of those measurements, they can earn free health premiums for themselves and discounted premiums for their family members. On-site associates can even get a free flu shot while they’re getting screened.

This one is huge for motivation. Since your health determines the amount you pay for health premiums, it’s another incentive for you stay active and eat right throughout the year.

Since 2020 led to nearly all associates working from home, we decided to waive this year’s screenings. Instead, associates can choose to use their measurements from last year (and check it out: we’re offering waivers so associates can still get their flu shots for free.)

The Nelnet Wellness Program

Health is serious stuff. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Throughout the year, our wellness team puts on challenges that keep associates motivated. Monthly walking contests, mindfulness events, and weekly virtual wellness classes make being healthy a team effort.

It’s one of the reasons so many resolutions fail – they’re seen as a chore and not as a fun way to improve your life. Plus, there’s an extra layer of incentive for Nelnet associates to participate in these wellness events. They can earn points for every step they take and challenge they meet. And if they earn enough, they’ll get a $100 bonus every quarter. (And if they’re sending it to a health savings account, they’ll earn even more.)

Reimbursement for Wellness Expenses

Another reason that so many health-related resolutions go unfulfilled? Money. Fitness gear is often…pricey. And though you don’t necessarily need a $1,000+ home gym to live an active lifestyle, having the right tools for the exercises you want to do is still important.

To make things a little easier for our associates, we give them $300 to use on wellness-related expenses every single year. That money can be used for things like gym memberships, smartwatches/fitness trackers, and home workout equipment. Peek behind the curtain: I even used 2020’s reimbursement to buy a brand-new bike at around 50% off.

If you’re planning to try out a New Year’s resolution in 2021, you aren’t alone. And if you stumble along the way, you aren’t alone either. Try breaking your resolution into smaller milestones. Focus on them day by day, week by week. You don’t have to be a Nelnet associate to live an active lifestyle. (Though, if the benefits you just read sound pretty cool to you, we’d love to have you on the team.)

Stay strong. Stay healthy. And know that people you love will support you the whole way through.

The post How Nelnet Benefits Support Wellness-Related New Year’s Resolutions appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

In short, the Agile framework is a project management process that focuses on getting projects done quickly and emphasizing teamwork and collaboration. It was originally created to help software developers literally be more agile.

At a high level, teams that use Agile will more often focus on breaking down a project into smaller pieces – building out that project incrementally rather than all at once. (This also allows them to be more focused and thorough, since they’re focusing on less things at the same time.)

Agile teams prioritize frequent check-ins, constant communication, and collaboration with teammates. In a perfect world, no one is working in a silo – teamwork is key.

Agile Principles & Values

There isn’t really a set of rules a team needs to follow in order to use the Agile framework. Since the goal of Agile is to make teams flexible and efficient, the framework more or less acts as a starting point that teams can build off of to find the process that works for them. However, there are still a few principles Agile teams typically strive for.

The Agile Manifesto

In the 1990s and early 2000s, technology changed – really quickly. And it did so in such drastic fashion that 17 technology leaders decided changes also needed to be made to the way software developers worked.

In a series of meetings, they developed what would come to be known as The Agile Manifesto, a set of principles and values that software developers could use to work smarter. Four values helped prioritize the things that were most important for development teams to consider:

1. Individuals and interactions over processes and tools.
2. Working software over comprehensive documentation.
3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation.
4. Responding to change over following a plan.

They also established 12 principles that Agile teams should follow:

1. Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.
2. Welcome changing requirements, even late in development. Agile processes harness change for the customer’s competitive advantage.
3. Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks, to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.
4. Business people and developers must work together daily throughout the project.
5. Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need, and trust them to get the job done.
6. The most efficient and effective method of conveying information to and within a development team is face-to-face conversation.
7. Working software is the primary measure of progress.
8. Agile processes promote sustainable development. The sponsors, developers, and users should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely.
9. Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design enhances agility.
10. Simplicity – the art of maximizing the amount of work not done – is essential.
11. The best architectures, requirements, and designs emerge from self-organizing teams.
12. At regular intervals, the team reflects on how to become more effective, then tunes and adjusts its behavior accordingly.

Under the overarching Agile framework, there are a number of “methodologies” that use Agile as their foundation – for now, we’ll go over two: Scrum and Kanban.

Agile Methodology 1: Scrum

One of the most popular Agile methodologies, Scrum teams take the values set by the Agile framework, and build off of them. On a Scrum team, three roles are always present:

• The Product Owner. They’re responsible for the product, and making sure that the needs of customers and other stakeholders are met.
• The Scrum Master. They help manage developers make sure Scrum processes are followed and that projects are getting done.
• The Development Team. They’re responsible for the actual building of the product – people on this team might include software developers, user experience/user interface designers, and programmers.

Scrum breaks down overall projects into smaller, more focused tasks – time periods known as sprints. These sprints aren’t typically longer than a month, and each sprint involves four main steps:

1. Sprint Planning. In the early stages of each sprint, the teams get together to plan ahead and go over all necessary details.
2. Daily Scrum. During the sprint, teams take part in a daily meeting to go over the tasks each member accomplished the day before, and what they’ll focus on today.
3. Sprint Review. Before a sprint is finished, the team holds a meeting to make sure everything is in a good place.
4. Sprint Retrospective. After the sprint, the team meets once more to go over the positives and negatives of the previous sprint, and establish improvements for the next one.

Agile Methodology 2: Kanban

The Kanban (kahn-bahn) methodology is more visual-focused – that’s part of the reason it’s so popular. It differs from Scrum in a few ways, but the largest is the rate that work is done. While Scrum splits projects up into shorter sprints, Kanban treats the entire project as one, continuous process. There are a few other general practices that Kanban emphasizes:

• Visualization
• Limit “work in progress”
• Manage flow
• Make policies explicit
• Use feedback loops
• Improve collaboratively, evolve experimentally.

With this method, work is tracked and managed on a Kanban board, which acts similarly to a whiteboard filled with sticky notes. Tasks (called Kanban cards) are placed on the Kanban board, organized into columns that track the status (like “To-Do” or “Approved”).

The Right Process

The purpose of Agile is literally to make teams more efficient and more effective. Since every team is a little bit different, every process will be as well. The overall Agile framework is more often treated less like a set of rules, and more like a foundation. A starting place for teams that need to do great work, and do it quickly.

It’s why most of Nelnet’s development teams use this framework – and why so many professionals are turning to it as well.

Looking for a software development job (or know someone who is)? Check out our openings.

The post An Overview of Agile Framework in Software Development appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

Hannah Burmeister, a marketing specialist at Nelnet Campus Commerce, and Bandana Maharjan, a marketing analyst Nelnet Business Services.

How did your Nelnet internship prepare you for your full-time role?

Bandana: For me, working as an intern wasn’t just about learning new skills. I was also able to apply those skills to real business situations. With everyday tasks and networking, I was able to learn and deepen my knowledge about how businesses actually run. Most importantly, I had the opportunity to learn from my mentors and supervisor, which boosted my confidence and comfortability in sharing my ideas and solutions.

Hannah: My internship prepared me by showing how different department of the company interlace to create an overall functioning business.

How does your full-time position differ from your internship?

Bandana: Most of my tasks and responsibilities remained the same. But I definitely got more access to software and technology than I did as an intern. I’m able to fully focus on my job rather than focus on school and an internship at the same time. As a full-time associate, there are also lots of perks I can take advantage of and I really like how Nelnet thinks about employee advancement.

Hannah: I get to see more of the life cycle of a marketing campaign, see projects through, and develop a full understanding of the different marketing channels we use.

How would you describe Nelnet’s culture?

Bandana: They’re very considerate about employee advancement and development. I really like how our executive teams create a sense of belonging within the company.

Hannah: Inviting. Everyone there cares about the professional development of one another, and wants people to be able to further their career, take risks, and help the company grow.

What are a few of your favorite things about working at Nelnet?

Bandana: Our department culture and the motivating people I work with are major reasons I’m still at Nelnet. I see a broad scope of opportunities for me to contribute to the company and personally grow. Nelnet’s core value of “Giving back to the communities in which we live and work” has also been part of my personal philosophy. Who wouldn’t be interesting in joining a company that genuinely embraces diversity and has such a united culture that makes everyone feel at home?

Hannah: The people. I feel comfortable enough to take risks and discover my passions. I also love the numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. Since I started in May, I haven’t stopped learning how to better myself.

What does a “typical” day look like for you?

Bandana: Since we started working from home, I start my day prioritizing. I look at current projects that I have to complete in the week and the tasks that I have to do to complete those projects on time. In between tasks and meetings, I take quick 5-10 minute walks every few hours, which has really helped me stay focused and get my tasks done.

Hannah: My typical work day involves checking up on marketing campaigns, making sure everything gets done on time, editing emails and PDFs, uploading documents to the Nelnet Campus Commerce, and ensuring that Nelnet Campus Commerce’s webinars go smoothly.

Any final advice for college students looking for internships?

Hannah: Keep trying! Getting an internship is the first step in your career development. Getting turned down in the business world can happen, but being persistent shows initiative and drive. The internship you are pursuing doesn’t have to directly correlate with your major. Find an internship that you can professionally grow in and discover your passion.

Bandana: 1) Do research and meet people from the field you’re interested in. 2) Always be ready to do real tasks that have an impact on businesses. 3) Don’t ever hesitate to ask questions.

Bonus question: Give us a fun fact about yourself!

Bandana: I cook my food every day! Cooking and singing are my forms of meditation.

Hannah: My family and I love Disney World! I’ve been there 16 times (so far) and even performed as a dancer in Magic Kingdom when I was 14.

Visit our internship page to learn more about life as a Nelnet intern. Ready to make it official? Check out our career opportunities.

The post New to Nelnet October 2020 – Goodbye Internship, Hello Full-Time appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

In August 2020, Nelnet Campus Commerce launched a newly redesigned website. It was a big step for the company. One that set them up for the future and allowed them to match Nelnet’s overall brand. And it didn’t happen overnight.

First, a Little Background.

If you don’t work in higher education (or at Nelnet), you may not have heard of Nelnet Campus Commerce.

Put simply, Nelnet Campus Commerce offers secure payment technology to colleges and universities across the country. It’s the kind of technology that institutions use to accept tuition payments online, or give students the opportunity to set up tuition payment plans rather than take out a loan or pay their bill all at once. Or the kind that allows a college to easily set up online shops for their departments and track every sale in one system.

It’s a big, complicated industry – one that requires a lot of trust, experience, and partnership. With the evolution of Nelnet’s overall brand, it was the perfect time for Nelnet Campus Commerce to revisit their website.

A Cohesive, But Still Unique, Brand.

Nelnet Campus Commerce needed to reinforce their position as a prominent Nelnet company. That includes more than the logo or the company name itself. It comes from the way they speak and look. Nelnet is a service company – and so is Nelnet Campus Commerce (in a more specific way).

They knew the website needed to match that identity and embody the amount of experience in higher education their associates have. They also knew it needed to be easy to navigate and flexible enough to grow down the road. That was enough to get the proverbial ball rolling.

Setting a Strong Foundation.

First, Nelnet’s in-house marketing team worked in tandem with Nelnet Campus Commerce marketers and leaders to gather information. The goal was to get everyone on the same page – what was it the website needed to accomplish? How should it look, feel, and sound?

Much of the creative work and design would come later. Aside from a few early ideas, these meetings were purely foundational. The team asked countless questions and had many valuable conversations. For the website to meet expectations, it’s paramount that this step went well.

Getting Started.

After a number of exploration meetings, the marketing team’s developers began the process of building an early “wireframe” of the website. It’s a document that resembles potential – a skeleton of how the site could be structured. There’s little, if any, color, very few icons, and “Lorem ipsum” copy that acts as a placeholder for text. Meanwhile, copywriters on the marketing team start drafting content, working with specialists to define what the new website will say, and how the brand’s voice will sound.

Building a Website.

Once the teams felt good about the overall structure of the website, the development team started to actually build out the site, working in tandem with graphic designers, web strategists, marketing specialists, and writers.

The website project was already in full swing when COVID-19 began to spread throughout the United States. By March 2020, most of Nelnet’s workforce was operating from their homes – including the website and marketing teams. But, like all 6,500 Nelnet associates, they didn’t let the setback stall them for long.

With teams working remotely and communicating constantly, the structure established by wireframes started coming to life. Colors, photos, and graphics began to be populated – and with a special level of care. The developers make sure that every website Nelnet builds meets 508 compliance. Essentially, that means that every aspect of the website – like the colors used – needed to be accessible by people with disabilities.

Looking to the Future.

In the end, the website launched successfully. Developers moved content from the older version of the site to the new one, and the end result was similar to a fresh start. It reflected Nelnet’s overall brand, while offering Nelnet Campus Commerce the flexibility to serve the higher education partners the way they need to. There’s still much work to do – and the site will continue to grow. But, for at least a moment, the team members responsible for the website can take a deep breath and smile at the work they’ve accomplished together.

Want to see the work for yourself? The website’s live! Check it out at CampusCommerce.com. Wondering what else is new at Nelnet? See what else our associates are up to.

The post Nelnet Campus Commerce Launches New Website appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

We’re also running a number of other health-related workshops and webinars to help our people stay informed. Nelnet associates can still earn free health premiums by meeting personal health screening goals. And, if they met their goals last year, we’re even allowing them to waive this year’s numbers.

Like us, many companies and organizations have had to adjust their flu shot benefits for associates that are working from home. Getting your flu shot this year may be a little different – but it’s still incredibly important. Here’s a few things to keep in mind about 2020 flu shots.

Where to Get Flu Shots.

Though COVID-19 may have made the process (and potentially locations) different than usual, it’s still relatively easy to find a place that offers them.

Check local clinics or pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens. Make sure to wear a mask and practice social distancing as much as possible while you’re there.

Nelnet gives all Nelnet associates access to free flu shots every year. Though we aren’t able to offer on-site flu shots, we’re still giving associates vouchers to cover the cost of going to other locations.

It’s not a bad idea to call ahead, either.

When to Get Your Flu Shot.

Short answer? As soon as possible. We’ll get into why the flu shot is so important in particular in just a bit, but the CDC recommends the end of October. That said, if November rolls around and you still haven’t gotten it, it’s not too late. Vaccination is usually offered throughout flu season.

Why 2020 Flu Shots Are So Important.

It’s the big question everyone’s asking – why are flu shots more important this year than they have been before?

There are a few reasons, but arguably the biggest one is that COVID-19 and the flu aren’t mutually exclusive (e.g., you can have them both at the same time).

In a Harvard Health Publishing article, Drs. Elise Merchant and Wendy Stead pointed to a study that showed people who had both diseases at the same time were sicker than those who simply had COVID-19.

Another point that Merchant and Stead bring up is the potential impact that the two diseases may have on hospitals. Remember when everyone was talking about “flattening the curve?” The same principle applies here.

If too many people are sick at once, it’s possible that some hospitals could see shortages (like many did earlier in the year). Getting your flu vaccination helps ensure that people who desperately need to go to the hospital are able to.

Free flu shots are just one great thing about #LifeAtNelnet. Want to learn about the others? Check out some of Nelnet’s benefits and perks.

The post 2020 Flu Shots: When, Where, and Why They’re Important appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

After months of hard work, we’re incredibly excited about Nelnet Bank’s launch – but we understand there are a lot of questions about the bank itself. There’s still much to come about Nelnet’s newest business line, but this should give you an idea of how the bank will operate and grow.

Why is Nelnet starting a bank?

Diversification and growth is nothing new for Nelnet. Originally, Nelnet already offered student loan refinancing and private student loans through U-fi From Nelnet.

Nelnet Bank is an evolution of that company. By becoming an industrial bank, we’re able to more fully serve customers, associates, and communities across the country.

What will Nelnet Bank actually do?

As an internet bank, we won’t have any in-person branches. Right now, we’re focused on offering student loan refinancing – which allows student loan borrowers to “trade in” multiple loans in exchange for one loan (which often results in a lower interest rate).

Nelnet Bank also offers commercial certificates of deposit (CDs). Generally speaking, CDs, which act similarly (but not identically) to savings accounts – a business can deposit money into the account, and the amount will grow over time.

Down the line, we’ll also offer private student loans and deposit accounts.

Who’s leading Nelnet Bank?

Most of the leadership lives in Utah, where the bank is headquartered.

Andrea Moss, CEO and president (UT)
Julie Buchholz, COO and community reinvestment act officer (UT)
Cindy Fulton-Serrano, CFO and treasurer (NE)
Lauren Chapman, Chief Compliance Officer (UT)
Heath Roehr, Chief Technology Officer (NE)
Rob Pedersen, Chief Credit Officer (UT)
Jennifer Mackintosh, Chief Risk Officer (UT)
Mark Heiser, Chief Development Officer (NE)

Why is it located in Utah?

Nelnet as a whole is still headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska – but Nelnet Bank’s headquarters are in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s a new neighborhood for Nelnet, but we’re working closely with community leaders and excited to make connections. We can’t wait to serve Utah communities and people across the country in new ways.

Curious about what else is going on at Nelnet? Take a closer look at who we are and what we do.

The post Things to Know about Nelnet Bank appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

Having a good one is usually a prerequisite for getting a mortgage or taking out an auto loan. For some people, their credit score is an obstacle. For others, it’s an opportunity.

At the end of the day, it’s just a number (albeit an important one). Let’s start with the basics.

What is a Credit Score?

Your credit score is almost like your financial reputation. It’s often used by lenders to determine how much of a risk it is to give you a loan. The higher your credit score is, the more confident lenders can be that you’ll pay your loan back on time and in full.

Much of the modern-day system for determining credit scores stemmed from a system originally built by Fair, Isaac, and Company (today known as FICO) and three credit reporting agencies who are still the leaders in their industry: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.

What’s a Good (or Bad) Credit Score?

Credit scores run on a point system, and the number can be anywhere from 300-850. Based on the scoring model used, the meaning of the numbers may change. According to FICO’s scoring system, here’s what they mean.

• Poor credit is anything under 580.
• Fair credit is 580-669.
• Good credit is 670-739.
• Very good credit is 740-799.
• Excellent credit is anything above 800.

Unsurprisingly, the average credit score of most Americans falls around the middle (anywhere from 660-750).

Where to Check Your Score

Since it’s considered a “soft” inquiry, checking your credit score on your own doesn’t affect it in any way (so you can debunk that myth).

There are also a number of websites that offer free, accurate scores. Credit Karma and Credit Sesame are great options if you want a quick, high-level look at the health of your credit.

Your bank may also offer free credit scores – if that’s the case, you can likely view it online, request it directly, or see it on your monthly statements.

To get a more comprehensive picture of your financial health, it’s a smart move to check credit reports (which go more in-depth than your score) with all three of the major credit reporting agencies – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. An easy way to do that is by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com, where you can request a free report once every 12 months.

How Your Credit Score is Determined

 The algorithms for determining credit scores are proprietary to each scoring model, such as FICO and VantageScore. According to FICO, here’s the rough breakdown of how your score is determined.

• 35% based on payment history. The more you pay bills on time or ahead of schedule, the better your score will be. If you fall too far behind or declare bankruptcy, you’ll see a decrease.
• 30% based on amount of debt. Any auto, home, or student loans are accounted for here – as well as any maxed-out credit cards you have on record.
• 15% based on credit length. The longer you’ve been able to spend proving yourself as a responsible borrower, the more positive your credit score will be.
• 10% based on new credit. When you open a new line of credit (like a credit card), you’ll likely see a dip in the short term. Any hard inquiries on your account will also be taken into account here. (More on both of these in a bit.)
• 10% based on credit mix. This measures the diversity of your debt. Having a solid mix of credit card, student loan, and mortgage payments shows that you have experience with a number of payment types.

How to Improve Your Credit Score

1. Pay bills on time (or ahead of schedule). It’s one of the most well-known strategies for a reason. Making sure bills are paid regularly shows your reliability as a borrower.
2. Use credit cards carefully. As mentioned earlier, getting a new credit card will likely result in a short-term decrease in your credit score. But, in the long term, it could be a good way to diversify your credit accounts – just make sure to avoid doing so before any large loan applications.
3. Keep an eye on credit reports. Regularly, at least annually, review your credit reports by using a free service. Dispute any mistakes or old, inaccurate information could increase your credit score.
4. Avoid applying too much. When shopping around for a loan or line of credit, it’s a good idea to limit the number of credit products you apply for, especially in a short period of time.

At Nelnet, we’re always looking out for the well-being of our associates – including financial wellness. We’re also on the lookout for associates to join the team – take a look at our current opportunities.

The post Financial Literacy Feature – A Quick Guide to Credit Scores appeared first on Nelnet Inc.

Then came the incident that changed everything.

An Unexpected Event

Another recurring hobby for Jenna was fishing. Similar to weightlifting, it was a way to escape from the drama and anxiety of everyday life. She’d even taught herself how to fish – and had gotten pretty good at it. She felt comfortable near the water. At peace.

But one day, the land near the water was especially muddy. And as Jenna walked by the water, she slipped and fell, breaking her leg. It was such a severe compound fracture that her leg was facing almost in the opposite direction.

“I had to go through surgery after surgery after surgery and was constantly laid up,” says Jenna. “I really struggled to be active during that time. And when you’re not active, it’s like you can feel your attitude decreasing, your positivity going down. Your willingness to meet new people or advance your career goes away.”

For five years, Jenna was essentially walking on a broken foot. The operations weren’t successful. Jenna was faced with two major options: continue her life as-is, or amputate.

“I did a lot of research and eventually made the personal decision that I couldn’t continue living the way I was living. I didn’t want to be the person that I had become,” says Jenna. “One thing my doctors and I talked about a lot is, when you get your prosthetic, you have to look at it a different way. You don’t ‘have a prosthetic’. You’re a person – just like everyone else.”

Finding Fun in Physical Therapy

After the amputation, it took Jenna about two years of mental and physical therapy to do basic activities. For the past five years, she’d been walking hunched over with a limp – and it had taken a toll. Originally, the physical therapy wasn’t cutting it for Jenna, she needed something that was going to challenge her.

“Anyone who’s had a foot or arm surgery knows that right after the surgery, you’re going to do physical therapy. It was a really hard struggle for me,” says Jenna. “Not because of the activity itself, but because I already knew what they were going to tell me. I already knew what the appointment was going to consist of. I was just…bored.”

Then, she was introduced to adaptive sports – and her entire therapy process changed.

“A friend of mine who is an amputee introduced me to wakeboarding. After that, I just continued to do adaptive sports. I realized it’s not the activity that’s hard – it’s about how fun you make it for yourself. I connected with a new physical therapist and she challenged me in different ways. Pushed me to do things that were different. I thought it was really exciting!”

After a while, adaptive sports became a part of her physical therapy. She noticed that many athletes, professional and recreational, in physical therapy will hold off on sports until they’re ready to perform at their maximum level. Instead, she took it slow.

“My favorite adaptive sports are water events. I’ve gone wakeboarding, water skiing, swimming. I also have done a paratriathlon camp with Dare2Tri: Running, walking, swimming. I actually taught myself to roller skate – it was a blast!”

Making a Difference

Since her amputation, Jenna has grown to be something of a leader among amputees (especially in the Midwest). Nelnet supported an event that she created – the Hill Climb Challenge.

“So, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire has a really big, steep hill. When I had two legs, it was a struggle. Anyone who’s been on that hill knows it’s a struggle,” says Jenna. “One thing I wanted to do after my amputation was walk that hill. I got this big group of people together and we raised almost $500 for Wiggle Your Toes, a nonprofit that had done a wakeboarding event I’d participated in.”

Jenna went on to create (probably) the largest Facebook group for amputees in the Midwest. The group acts as a place where people with amputations can connect with each other – they ask about product recommendations, talk about struggles they’re going through, and look for opportunities to educate others.

And they take mental health seriously.

“I’ve come across several situations where I’ve had to stand by someone’s side and say ‘your life is not over because of your amputation. It’s just a new beginning.’”

One of Jenna’s goals is to educate people about amputees. It’s been a firsthand learning experience for her as well, but it helps that she understands both lives.

“One of the biggest struggles as an amputee is a person’s financial situation. Most basic prosthetic legs before insurance can cost up to $50,000.00. If you want a specialized leg or foot such as a running blade or a snow skiing foot, the cost can be even more,” says Jenna. “Keep in mind, most of these parts can last less than a year. Therefore, eventually they need to be replaced- just like a vehicle. I want people to understand that these do not come cheap and these are a part of our body. I consider my prosthetic leg as I would treat my regular leg except with a little more care.”

“I know what it’s like to have all four limbs. I first met an amputee a long time ago – I’d gone to shake someone’s hand and they had a prosthetic arm,” Jenna says. “I didn’t know how to react. I just felt embarrassed.”

The best thing, Jenna says, is to treat amputees like the people they are. Offer help when someone is struggling (even if they don’t have a disability). Treat people like people – and you’ll be just fine.

Defying Definitions

“I have people all the time tell me that they don’t see me as an amputee. They see me as Jenna. There are so many amputees that can’t do adaptive sports or can’t be as active as I am. They sometimes go into a depression after amputation and, in turn, define themselves as an amputee.

Here’s how I look at it:

If you go into the mirror every day and say ‘I don’t look good today’ over and over and over, you’re going to feel that way. Every. Day.

If you go into the mirror every day and say ‘I can’t do this because I’m an amputee, you’re going to feel that way. Every. Day.

It’s not bad to identify as an amputee. But I think it’s important to remember that you’re also a person. A person with goals, feelings, achievements. It doesn’t matter what obstacles get in your way. You just have to constantly move forward so people can see us for who we are.”

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