On Oct. 16 in Omaha, Civic Nebraska will honor six Nebraskans with Strengthening Democracy Awards for their efforts to build a more powerful democracy in the Cornhusker State. Before then, we’re sharing a bit more about each winner to share what makes them so special.

 Civic Nebraska honors Astrid Munn with the 2025 Champion of Learning Award for her work as an immigration attorney, adjunct professor, Civic Saturday fellow, published author, and stand-up comedian—showing how many forms learning can take, and how each can strengthen democracy.

Astrid’s career is built on the belief that knowledge confers power and dignity. As an immigration attorney, she stands alongside Nebraska’s most vulnerable newcomers, guiding families through a system that can feel intimidating and opaque. She doesn’t stop at representation; she teaches, translating rights and processes into clear steps so clients can move forward with confidence. She not only advocates but equips, helping people meet immediate challenges while preparing them for the long road of building a life in a new home.

In the classroom, Astrid brings that same ethic to instructing future lawyers. As an adjunct at the University of Nebraska College of Law, she orients students toward practice and purpose – pairing practical skills with a moral framework that treats justice as service. The lessons are rigorous and real: how to prepare, how to listen, how to hold complexity without losing compassion. Students leave with tools, but also with a sense of responsibility to use them in the public interest.

Astrid’s civic leadership reaches beyond courts and casebooks. As a Civic Saturday fellow, she helps Nebraskans gather for reflection and renewal, regularly reading “civic scripture” and distilling big, often thorny ideas into meaning we can use. This is teaching in its widest sense: convening, interpreting, and sparking the conversations that help a community understand itself.

Even when she’s on stage, Astrid is an educator. Her sharp, funny monologues treat humor as a bridge to hard truths, inviting audiences to consider current events from new angles. Comedy becomes another classroom, one that opens hearts first, then minds. That versatility is the through-line across her roles: Whether in a courtroom, a classroom, a bookstore, or a club, Astrid meets people where they are and brings them a step deeper into shared civic life.

As Steve Smith, her nominator, put it: “Astrid shows up in so many different spaces – courtrooms, classrooms, community gatherings, even comedy clubs – and no matter the role she’s in, she leaves people with food for thought. She has a gift for helping others see the world in new ways, and that makes her a true champion of learning.”

Her work so far in 2025 has underscored her range and relevance. Astrid has been featured in Nebraska news coverage for speaking out about client access issues around ICE detention transfers, highlighting how sudden relocations can jeopardize due process. She also lent her expertise in reporting on U-visa fraud, explaining safeguards designed to protect both law enforcement integrity and vulnerable victims. In July, she stood before dozens of Nebraskans to read civic scripture at a Civic Saturday gathering, modeling how complex democratic ideas can be made accessible and meaningful in community spaces.

Beyond these moments, Astrid has been active on professional stages, presenting on immigration law at bar and paralegal education events across the state. Whether addressing legal peers or the public, she insists that continual, shared learning is the heartbeat of a resilient democracy.

Tireless, generous, fearless: Astrid embodies the truth that democracy depends not only on laws and institutions, but on the teaching and learning we do together.

Meet Astrid and her fellow honorees at Strengthening Democracy Awards on Oct. 16. RSVP today!