CAROL (JONES) CLEAVER

Class of 1975
​Inducted in 2017

Carol was inducted into the SHSAA Hall of Fame in 2017.

Carol is the Director of the Volunteer Lawyers Project, the statewide pro bono program of the Nebraska State Bar Association.  Carol has dedicated her career to ensure that low-income persons who cannot afford a lawyer get equal access to justice.  She is admitted to practice law in Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. 
 
Carol did not attend college until 25 years after high school. In 2000, at her 25th reunion, Carol and other classmates pledged they would be college graduates by the next reunion.  Carol received a BA in History in 2002, summa cum laude, and completed her graduate coursework in 2003. She received a Juris Doctorate from Creighton University School of Law in 2006.  Among her honors and awards, Carol was student commencement speaker at  UNO and recipient of Creighton’s Award for Outstanding Service to Creighton Law School. 
 
Since 2005, Carol has connected lawyers and legal organizations with SHS students to help them prepare for legal careers.  She mentors students who need assistance with academic planning, testing, and preparations for law school and legal studies programs.  An adjunct professor at several colleges, Carol offers students the advice she received from one of her SHS teachers.  “Success isn’t always measured by a title, position, or an award.”  Rather, “Success is measured by the obstacles a person overcomes while trying to succeed.” (paraphrasing Booker T. Washington).  
 
Carol held a position on the SHS Alumni Association Board from 2012-2021.  She also has served on several nonprofit boards, advisory committees, and legal services committees. In 2021 she was honored as on of 50 over 50 Nebraska recipients. 

Carol has two children, twelve grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.