Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers spoke at the Union 73 Coffee Shop on Wednesday as part of Northeast Community College’s Visiting Writers Series, which brings noted authors to campus for readings and discussions.
Rodgers engaged an audience of students, faculty and community members as she shared experiences that shaped her path to becoming the youngest Nebraska State Poet. A spoken word artist, she uses alliteration and rhythm to add depth to her performances.
She discussed how her upbringing in Omaha and time at the Wesley House helped build her confidence in public speaking, noting she began writing poetry at age 10 and completed her first poem in fifth grade.
Rodgers shared several poems, including “Home” and “Humble,” and noted that as state poet, about 80% of her writing is now for others. She described the challenge of writing on unfamiliar topics —such as commercial real estate — after extensive research, earning enthusiastic applause for that and other poems she presented in Norfolk.
When preparing poems for public performances, she typically aims for a length of three to five minutes and actively involves audiences through questions and interaction.
Rodgers also mentioned her earlier interest and work in architecture, which she left due to the time demands of her current role.
She is the daughter of Nebraska’s first Heisman Trophy winner, Johnny Rodgers, and has received multiple honors, including a 2025 Academy of American Poets Fellowship and a 2025 AIRIES Fellowship. Her work has been featured nationally at schools, festivals, and conferences, and her performances can be heard at her website.
The Visiting Writers Series continues Wednesday, March 4, when Tyler Jacobs will speak from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Union 73 Coffee Shop. The event is free and open to the public.
Jacobs’ work has appeared in Passages North, Variant Literature, Plainsongs, Pidgeonholes, Sierra Nevada Review and elsewhere. His poems have also been featured on Nebraska Public Media’s Friday LIVE. He received his MFA from Bowling Green State University.
Jewel Rodgers Presents
Nebraska State Poet Jewel Rodgers reads one of her poems on Wednesday, February 25, as part of the Northeast Community College Visiting Writers Series. (Northeast Community College)
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