College of Saint Mary alumni share their stories of resilience, empowerment in new book

OMAHA, Neb. – Tiffany Lukasiewicz and Samantha Rambo found their confidence at College of Saint Mary (CSM) and are working to help other women gain a stronger sense of self.

Lukasiewicz, who received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2015, and Rambo, who received an Associate of Science in Nursing in 2010, shared their stories of overcoming obstacles and finding their purpose in the book, “Alpha Queens Rising: Where Purpose Meets Power & Women Rise into the Alpha Queen Era.”

The book features the stories of 11 women who have gained confidence, rebuilt their lives and have become entrepreneurial leaders.

Lukasiewicz, a somatic healer and owner of the Lioness Alchemy Collective, CSM because she connected to the values of the College as a Mercy High School graduate. She also got the opportunity to play basketball for the Flames.

“CSM allowed me to grow into a confident person. I had the resources to help me become successful. I played basketball and graduated with a 3.69 GPA with dyslexia,” she said.

The confidence she gained empowered her to leave an abusive relationship two months before their wedding. In the years that followed, Lukasiewicz worked to heal the trauma she experienced. She eventually tried somatic healing, which focuses on how emotions appear within the body.

Her healing journey led to her becoming certified in somatic healing and creating her business helping women regulate their nervous systems and build self-trust.

Rambo, a nurse practitioner and owner of Wellness for Any Body, was working as a certified nurse assistant when she decided to attend CSM to become a nurse. Once on campus, she learned about the Mothers Living and Learning Community, and moved on campus with her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter.

“I was a lost girl that lacked confidence and I had a kid. But at CSM, we had a supportive community. It was one of the first times in my life that I was in a safe environment. I was able to focus on school and my daughter, and I was able to make friends,” Rambo said. “When I graduated, I had gained so much confidence.”

While at CSM, Rambo had a work-study position in Student Support Services and was a member of the Student Senate. As a senator, she campaigned to have a playground installed on campus.

After graduating from CSM, Rambo earned her Master of Science in Nursing and worked as a family nurse practitioner in various settings. Through her work, she realized patients struggled to improve their health after receiving a diagnosis, so she set out to help bridge the gap and improve health outcomes.

Rambo is launching an app that will provide patients with the resources they need to support their health.

For both Lukasiewicz and Rambo, sharing their stories allows them to inspire others.

“There are so many women out there that feel scared or worried that they’ll be judged, but women are powerful and need to stand up, raise their voices and share their stories,” Lukasiewicz said. “I want other women to know that they don’t have to shrink themselves.”

As part of the book launch, Lukasiewicz and Rambo, and the other women featured in the book, will share their stories during RISE: An Alpha Queen Live Experience, a personal growth and leadership conference on March 19.