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Meet Alexis Lipson, Lincoln Northeast School Community Coordinator

Alexis Lipson, a world traveler with a love for and a track record of innovating for youth, is Civic Nebraska’s new school community coordinator at our Lincoln Northeast High School Community Learning Center. Alexis succeeds Michael Bandy, who was recently promoted. She began in her new role on Feb. 24.

Alexis Lipson in 2020, with a flyer for a traveling film festival in Ukraine that focused on democracy.

At Northeast, Alexis works with the Rocket community to create effective programs for the teens participating in the CLC. She also directs daily CLC activities and builds neighborhood partnerships.

“It’s important to work every day toward innovative ways to meet students where they are and provide opportunities for them to explore where they can go,” Alexis said.

A self-described “Army kid,” Alexis grew up in both Kansas and Nebraska. She spent her high-school years in Abilene, Kansas, the same small town as President Dwight D. Eisenhower. This experience continues to affect her: Eisenhower grew up humbly and on “the wrong side of the tracks,” delivering ice to his wealthier classmates, but ended up commanding Allied forces in Europe during World War II before achieving the presidency.

After graduating from Doane University as a history and international studies double major, Alexis earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Kansas, with an emphasis on teaching English to speakers of other languages. She also served as a Peace Corps youth development specialist in Ukraine – a tenure that was interrupted temporarily by COVID-19 and then extended indefinitely by Russia’s invasion.

In August 2020, Alexis became the school community coordinator at Elliott Elementary and then joined Civic Nebraska last May as a part-time program specialist at the Northeast CLC.

Alexis and colleagues in 2020 after painting fences for a Ukrainian organization that helped disabled youth and adults.

Alexis has focused on mission-aligned programming and the coordination of Northeast’s tutoring program, Rockethouse, in partnership with school administrators and teachers. Rockethouse has served more than 700 students so far this school year. 

“Thanks to my previous CLC experience, I’m hopeful that the transition will be seamless as far as student experience goes,” she said. “I’m committed to build on the great program that Michael has built.”

When she’s not working, Alexis will happily talk anyone’s ear off about the people of Ukraine. She’ll also tell you the story of Maxine, the Ukrainian street cat who swindled her into loving her, and the five kittens she birthed in Alexis’ apartment in Ukraine. Maxine and the smallest from her litter, Primara (Ukrainian for “ghost” or “spirit”), are often curled up in their window hammock in her Lincoln home.

We’re awfully glad Alexis is our new leader at Northeast. Join us in welcoming her – she’s at al***********@ci***********.org.