Northeast Community College Students Welcomed by Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers
Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers inspired Northeast Community College students with her poetry and personal journey, highlighting the importance of early dreams, mentorship, and parental support in achieving success
NORFOLK, Neb. — Students at Northeast Community College were treated to an inspiring visit from world-renowned American poet and Nebraska State Poet, Jewel Rodgers, as part of the Visiting Writers Series.
Rodgers, a Nebraska native, has garnered acclaim for her exploration of profound themes such as love, identity, and pressing social issues, captivating audiences not only through her poetry but also as a TEDx speaker.
Rodgers shared insights into her journey, revealing a childhood ambition she had almost forgotten. "I had no idea that I was even thinking like that," Rodgers reflected. "But a mentor of mine sent me a video last year of myself, and I was around the age of ten years old, and I was declaring at a podium that I wanted to be a poet."
In 2025, at the age of 27, Rodgers's powerful words resonated so deeply that Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen appointed her the youngest Nebraska State Poet in history.
Rodgers traces her love for poetry back to the age of 11 but admitted to nearly abandoning her dream, until she discovered the Wesley House, an after-school program in Omaha led by Paul Bryant.
"Attending Wesley House, amongst many things, taught me great public speaking," Rodgers explained. "So, I began to get really good at both public speaking and then I would just, you know, write my little poems to myself."
Northeast Community College English Instructor and Visiting Writing Series Coordinator Bonnie Johnson-Bartee emphasized the significance of Rodgers's visit, stating, "Jewel has such a fabulous ability to perform her poetry, and I really wanted my students to see what performance poetry was all about."
Rodgers also acknowledged the pivotal roles her parents played in her success: her mother, Jawana, for nurturing her artistic side, and her father, Johnny Rodgers, a prominent sports figure, for instilling in her the value of practice and perseverance.
"He showed by example that if I practice a lot of something, I can either achieve it, or I can get it pretty close," said Rodgers. "My mom, she's responsible for encouraging the artistic side of me."