Now a professor and civic leader, UNO alumna Racquel Henderson empowers others to thrive through education and service.
by BELLA LOCKWOOD-WATSON
UNO Communications Specialist
Born in North Omaha and adopted at birth, Racquel Henderson struggled with identity and feelings of abandonment throughout her childhood. By her teenage years, she faced a series of hardships: she became a mother at 15, experienced domestic violence, endured homelessness, and was incarcerated by age 20.
Hitting rock bottom in prison became a turning point. There, she realized no one had ever “reached back” to guide her. She resolved to become that person for others — someone who could help ensure others didn’t fall through the cracks. With renewed purpose, she left prison determined to change her life through education and service.
Finding a Lifeline at UNO
When Henderson stepped onto the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus in 2010 as a first-generation, nontraditional student, she felt out of place.
“I didn’t know what success looked like. I didn’t know what successful people looked like,” Henderson said. “I didn’t know what opportunities looked like.”
Through UNO, she connected with TRIO Project Achieve, a program for students from low-income, first-generation or underrepresented backgrounds. The program provided critical emotional, academic and financial support.
“Project Achieve was my lifeline, and I would not be where I am today had they not allowed me in that program and helped me navigate life,” she said.
Bolstered by that support, Henderson dove into her studies with fierce determination. For five years, she juggled a full-time day job, parenting her young daughter and night classes — often staying up until 2 or 3 a.m. to complete assignments. In 2014, she graduated with honors, earning dual bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and psychology.
From Student to Educator
After graduation, Henderson immediately put her education to work, committing herself to the kind of mentorship and support she wished she had received. She spent the next decade working in education and nonprofit roles, including at Metropolitan Community College, where she coordinated scholarship programs for first-generation students.
In that role, she helped hundreds of young people persist in school and find career pathways. She also launched a community-based social media initiative, sharing job leads, free resources and encouragement with thousands of followers.
Though graduate school wasn’t initially in her plans, a challenge sparked new ambition. While working to revise a criminal justice curriculum, she was told she needed a master’s degree to formally propose changes.
Never one to back down, she returned to UNO — where she felt most at home — to earn her master’s degree in criminal justice.
Today, Henderson teaches as an adjunct professor at UNO, bringing her story full circle. She instructs a course on criminal justice, drawing on her lived experiences to humanize lessons and inspire students.
“I don’t want just to teach theory but rather bring living truth into space,” she said. “I’ve been impacted by many of the systems we study — not just incarceration, but poverty and trauma. I’m able to really humanize what students read in textbooks. I use storytelling, real-life examples, raw transparency and activities that really challenge them.”
Leading and Giving Back
Beyond campus, Henderson leads and supports several programs across Omaha — from youth sports with EPIC for Girls to job skills training through the Empowerment Network and healthcare mentoring with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
In 2025, she was appointed North Omaha community liaison in the Mayor’s Office, where she connects residents with local government and advocates for resources. Her leadership has earned major recognition, including awards from the Urban League and the Greater Omaha Chamber.
“I am so proud to see how deeply engaged Racquel is with the community, leading and working on initiatives that foster mentorship, equity and purposeful civic engagement,” said Mark Foxall, Ph.D., Henderson’s graduate adviser and a UNO criminology professor. “Her trajectory exemplifies the integration of intellectual achievement with purposeful, community-centered leadership.”
Even with her growing influence, Henderson remains grounded. She believes deeply in representation — and in the idea that when people see someone who looks like them leading with authenticity, it opens the door to new possibilities.
“For me, it’s personal. It’s very personal. It’s what wasn’t done for me, and prevention is protection,” she said. “I don’t think people realize that’s how we stop cycles before they even start. When you invest in community-based outlets — whether it’s mentoring, sports, education or reentry support — you’re not just offering a program; you’re offering a lifeline.”
