Aarik Danielsen recently joined the McGoogan Library staff as Communications Specialist. Danielsen brings a long storytelling history, appreciation for on-campus work and the curiosity of a new Nebraska resident to the role.
Aarik (pronounced “Eric”) previously spent 16 years writing and editing features for the Columbia Daily Tribune, a daily newspaper in Columbia, Missouri. There, his coverage revolved around music, art and human-interest stories. He earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri, then taught writing fundamentals to journalism and strategic communications students there. His classes established best practices in story forms ranging from features to hard news, broadcast to social media, copywriting and more.
Aarik also has worked in an academic library, college writing centers and is an accomplished writer. His debut book, a collection of night essays, will be published in summer 2027.
He moved to Omaha in early 2026 to join lives with his fiancée, a writer and public librarian. A natural advocate for libraries and the people who serve there, he’s eager to apply his storytelling skills at McGoogan and share why this place is key to the flourishing of communities across Nebraska and beyond.
Off the clock, Aarik enjoys following the San Francisco Giants across time zones, reading with his partner in their hammock, playing piano, making custom playlists, visiting art museums like the Joslyn and trying to keep up with the slang spoken by the three t(w)een boys in his household.
Welcome Aarik!