Office of Diversity and Inclusion: Recent Episodes
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The Office of Diversity and Inclusion presented a week-long celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The events throughout the week were designed to facilitate both reflection and action toward a better appreciation of and respect for the dignity of every person. The 2024 MLK Commemorative Celebration featured a moderated conversation with Xernona Clayton. Xernona Clayton has led civic projects and civil rights activities for decades, beginning in 1965 when she accepted a position with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and worked closely with the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. She also coordinated the activities of Atlanta’s Black doctors with the Doctors’ Committee for Implementation, which resulted in the desegregation of all hospital facilities in Atlanta. Her persistent and compassionate fight against prejudice and bigotry was never more apparent than in 1968, when a Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan denounced the Klan and credited Xernona’s influence with his change. Professionally, Ms. Clayton was a trailblazer in the media industry, eventually becoming an executive with Turner Broadcasting. She went on to found the Trumpet Foundation an organization that celebrates “the best in African American excellence and achievement.”
Debra Schrampfer, Jasmine Kingsley, Carlos Terrazas have a panel discussion on "Inclusive Futurism: Future of Inclusive Excellence," moderated by Dr. Barker
Dr. Marco Barker delivers opening remarks to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion State of Diversity 2023 event.
Awarded by the American Society of Engineering Education with silver recognition, The College of Engineering is a leader in the industry. Shaped by a culture of inclusive excellence, students, staff and faculty have embraced the importance of working amongst diversity and learning from different perspectives. Lance C. Perez is a firm believer in diversifying our students to create a more robust, world-changing workforce for the future. “If we are going to meet the workforce needs of the state and the nation, we need more people studying engineering. That’s only going to happen if we diversify our student body.” Learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UNL at https://diversity.unl.edu/
The Intergroup Dialogue Initiative is a collective, strategic effort to bring communication to connect in a divided world, and foster inclusivity here at Nebraska. In a world plagued by polarization, students are utilizing theories, research and practice to “communicate across difference in a manner that amplifies voices of those who haven’t had voices, and also in a way that really can lead to pragmatic, important outcomes.” It's about building community, understanding diverse perspectives and using communication and connectedness to problem solve. The impact of this initiative is statewide. The goal is to encourage learning from engaging conversation across historically polarizing groups. That is inclusive excellence. Learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UNL at https://diversity.unl.edu/
Dr. Dai Shizuka champions promoting human connection and inclusivity in the Department of Ornithology and across campus. Recently awarded the National Science Foundation Bio Leaps grant, Dai and his team are collectively learning how inclusivity “makes the university, or ornithological studies or any institution stronger.” With the grant, the team is studying how human connections foster a sense of belonging and encourage the pursuit of research. Dai and the department believe in the power of inclusivity. “We can’t achieve excellence without promoting everyone’s excellence.” Learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UNL at https://diversity.unl.edu/
Maathir Basi, a first-generation psychology student, is empowered by other women in the STEM Power Program. As a freshman, Maathir was able to find community, a space where her voice was not only listened to, but also appreciated. According to Maathir, “giving students a community where they feel like their voice is heard is the most important way for us to talk about inclusive excellence.” The STEM Power Program is fostering inclusive excellence, amplifying underrepresented student voices and inspiring students to reach their full potential. Read another story about the STEM Power Program here: https://news.unl.edu/newsrooms/today/article/stem-power-program-breaks-barriers-for-underrepresented-students/
Inclusive Excellence in Action video compilation produced for the 2023 University of Nebraska–Lincoln State of Diversity event. Learn more about the 2023 State of Diversity report here: https://diversity.unl.edu/state-diversity
Presented by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Nebraska Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Impact Awards recognize individuals and groups who actively advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in transformative and sustainable ways, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The ceremony honored the 2022-2023 award recipients.
Dubbed “the last leading man” by The New York Times, two-time Tony Award® winner Brian Stokes Mitchell has enjoyed a career spanning more than 40 years in Broadway, television, film, recordings, and concert appearances with the country’s finest conductors and orchestras. Stokes received Tony®, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards for his star turn in Kiss Me, Kate. He also gave Tony®-nominated performances in Man of La Mancha, August Wilson’s King Hedley II, and Ragtime. Mitchell’s extensive TV appearances include Trapper John M.D., Glee, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Fraiser, The Good Fight, and dozens more. He also provided the singing voice of Jethro in the beloved movie The Prince of Egypt, including his stirring performance of ‘Through Heaven’s Eyes,” and made national news during the pandemic for performing “The Impossible Dream” every evening from the window of his Manhattan apartment as healthcare workers changed shifts. Stokes is a founding member of Black Theatre United, founded in 2020. These leading members of the Black theatre community “stand together to help protect Black people, Black theatre, and Black lives of all shapes and orientations in communities across the country.” Their stated goal is to “educate, empower, and inspire through excellence and activism in the pursuit of justice and equality.”
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion presented a week-long celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The events throughout the week were designed to facilitate both reflection and action toward a better appreciation of and respect for the dignity of every person. The 2023 MLK Commemorative Celebration featured a keynote address from Tommie Smith and the awarding of the annual Chancellor’s “Fulfilling the Dream” Award.Tommie Smith is a world record breaking gold medal Olympian and civil rights icon. During the 1868 summer Olympics, Tommie Smith broke the world and Olympic record with a time of 19.83 seconds and became the 200-meter Olympic champion. As the Star-Spangled Banner played in the wind at the Mexico City ceremonies, Tommie Smith and John Carlos stood on the victory podium, draped with their Olympic medals, each raised a clinched fist covered in a black leather glove in a historic stand for black power, liberation and solidarity. This courageous, unexpected worldwide event propelled Tommie Smith into the spotlight as a human rights spokesperson, activist, and symbol of African American pride at home and abroad. Tommie Smith has made a commitment to dedicate his life, even at great personal risk to champion the cause of oppressed people.
During the session, Nia Patterson (They/Them) discussed the intersections of disability, neurodivergence, and body-based identity. They also present their promising practices and allow time to ask questions and engage in discussion. Additionally, Big Red Resilience offered insight and resources to enable community members to find support related to body-based identity and well-being.
The fourth annual State of Diversity features panelists who are leaders on national and emerging issues in higher education among marginalized and underrepresented communities.
Members of the Husker community demonstrate how they put inclusive excellence into action.
Presented by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Nebraska Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Impact Awards recognize individuals and groups who actively advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in transformative and sustainable ways, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The ceremony honored the 2021-2022 award recipients.
Dr. Arden Eli Hill joined us for an interactive session on setting up an inclusive classroom. Dr. Hill holds a Ph.D. in Creative Writing from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a specialization in Women and Gender Studies and an M.F.A. from Hollins University. In this session, Dr. Hill joined us for an interactive session to discuss how he sets up the semester's expectations around inclusion with pre-semester documents and activities, as well as his work with the William H. Thompson Scholars Learning Community, to help prepare instructors to discuss diversity in the classroom. Dr. Hill presented his promising practices and allowed us time to ask questions and engage in discussion about inclusive classroom environments.
A Land Acknowledgment is a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of this land and the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories.
Although faith is in many cases an “invisible” aspect of diversity, there are a vast number of different religious, spiritual, and humanist identity groups present on our campus. Because our faith systems influence our understanding of values, morals, and community, they inherently affect our approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion work. For our third session of the academic year, we hosted a panel of community leaders, moderated by Dr. Max Perry Mueller of The Department of Classics and Religious Studies. Panelists will discuss their religious, spiritual, and humanist communities, how they have found these communities in Nebraska, and how their identities and beliefs influence their approaches to social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion work.
MLK Commemoration was held on Wednesday, January 19, 2022. The program featured a Moderated Conversation with Lisa Ling, and the awarding of the annual Chancellor’s “Fulfilling the Dream” Award.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion has developed several priorities to promote and expand inclusive excellence practices and policies throughout the institution. Funding will directly assist in providing high-impact and high-quality programs that support historically underrepresented students, student recruitment and retention, and social innovation and cultural leadership development among future leaders.
Chancellor Ronnie Green and Executive Vice Chancellor Kathy Ankerson welcome you to the 2022 MLK Commemorative Celebration.
As we continue to educate ourselves about sexual violence, inequality, we must also think about vulnerable groups that are largely invisible in our discourses. This presentation discussed intersectionality, trans women of color, and featured award-winning artist, activist and TEDx speaker, Dominique Morgan.
The State of Diversity 2021 featured several diversity leaders across the nation in a panel conversation designed to educate and inform campus on pressing diversity issues and perspectives on building equity across institutions of higher learning.
This session, featuring a panel of members from the Non-binary Gender Values Steering Committee, discussed Executive Memorandum No. 40, the University of Nebraska system’s new policy on chosen names and gender identity.
The Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion shares a few thoughts for the new academic year.
Presented by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Nebraska Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Impact Awards recognize individuals and groups who actively advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in transformative and sustainable ways, at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The ceremony honored the 2020-2021 award recipients.
Jennifer Brown, envisions inclusive organizations where all of us can thrive. Jennifer is an award-winning entrepreneur, dynamic speaker and diversity and inclusion expert. She is the Founder, and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting (JBC), and her consulting firm guides some of the world’s largest companies in their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. She is an acclaimed keynoter and podcaster, with her podcast The Will to Change. Her award-winning latest book, How To Be An Inclusive Leader, calls on allies and advocates everywhere to activate their voice. This session will discuss how to build cultures of inclusion and belonging.
Hello All, Welcome back to our second session. I am Charlie Foster (Assistant Vice Chancellor for Inclusive Student Excellence and the Director of OASIS) and I am happy to introduce our speakers.
Dr. Melissa D. Zephier Olson is a Yankton Sioux tribal member and a descendant of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara tribes. She holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy where she gained a deeper understanding of better engaging culturally diverse individuals and families into therapy. She received her PhD in Human Sciences- Specialization in Global Family Health and Wellbeing from the Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies and is a new alum of UNL. She is a published author and has presented at numerous national and international on minority health disparities, Indigenous studies, and behavioral counseling for culturally diverse populations. She had the extreme honor of building strong and collaborative research partnerships with many Northern Plains Tribe Knowledge Sharers in exploring Indigenous family relationships.
Ted Hibbeler is a member of the Iron Shell family (Maza Pon Kesh Ka Tiospaye) from the Rosebud Sioux Nation (Sicangu Lakota Oyate) in South Dakota. He was raised in Hastings, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln with a B.Sc. in Education. He spent 10 years teaching and coaching high school students at St. Francis Indian School in South Dakota. Ted earned a MA in Teaching English from Hastings College. He has worked as the Director of Native American Education for the Phoenix Union High School District (PUHSD) for the last twenty years. He earned a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision Degree from Arizona State University. Ted moved back to Nebraska in 2020 and is currently the Tribal Extension Educator for the Extension Division at UNL.
This session is over the impact of Indian boarding schools on family relationships.
Dr. Lisa Pennisi (pen-knee-see) is an Associate Professor of Practice in the School of Natural Resources at UNL. Lisa is a first-generation American who earned her Bachelor's in Psychology, Master's in Environmental Science, and a doctorate in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. Lisa's teaching focuses on science communication, environmental education, specifically the zoo, and aquarium field. Lisa's extension focus is science communication, behavior change, and nonformal STEM education with outreach to our local Title One after-school programs. Lisa is an advocate for neurodiversity, especially autism, as well as other invisible differences. In this NCLUDE session, Dr. Pennisi will discuss Neurodiversity
Critical whiteness studies (CWS), an offshoot of critical race theory, takes as its focus the hegemonic status of whiteness. More than just a synonym for white people, whiteness is a system that shapes institutions, establishes and maintains norms, and powers inequities by upholding systems of white dominance. This webinar will examine the impact of CWS in education, focusing especially on the linkage between emotions and whiteness, what Cheryl Matias calls ‘white emotionality’.
The business world is changing daily — which means corporate leaders are learning and growing, too. It’s important to take any and all opportunities to expand your knowledge base and learn from your fellow leaders. Join the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the Lincoln Community Foundation and Lincoln Journal Star as we dive into an engaging and informative moderated conversation highlighting the importance of inclusive leadership in our emerging business community. You’ll leave our panel feeling informed, refreshed, and invigorated with new knowledge. All are welcome!
Moderated by: Sarah Bekele, Channel 4 KSNB Hastings Event News Anchor and Producer
Panelists include: – Barbara Bartle, Lincoln Community Foundation President – Ronnie D. Green, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Chancellor – Ava Thomas, Lincoln Journal Star President and Publisher
https://diversity.unl.edu/ceo-action
There are many initiatives and programs in higher education aimed at recognizing our biases. Unfortunately, simply being aware of our biases does not necessarily minimize or improve perceptions of others. The purpose of the webinar is to provide an overview of intergroup contact as a potential framework for developing programs to reduce bias in college and university communities.
Topic: Reducing health disparities for transgender and gender diverse people
Nebraska Community of Learners — Understanding Diversity through Education
A community of learners dedicated to understanding diversity through education. The series of virtual conversations are intended to help students, faculty, staff, alum and the greater community understand and embrace the opportunities we have to create a greater sense of inclusion for all. #NCLUDE is a space to talk candidly about inclusive excellence being a part of our everyday interactions.
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion presented a week-long celebration of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Events were designed to facilitate both reflection and action toward a better appreciation of and respect for the dignity of every person. While each of us has the power to make a difference ourselves, we can make the biggest impact when we work together.
On Thursday, January 28, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted the MLK Commemorative Celebration. This year’s program featured a conversation with Dr. Bernice A. King and the awarding of the annual Chancellor’s “Fulfilling the Dream” Award.
Dr. Bernice A. King is the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King. She serves as the CEO of The King Center and is also a minister, activist, and highly renowned speaker.
Performance Major Nadia Williams reads an excerpt from "King Hedley II" by August Wilson.
Performance Major Brannon Evans reads an excerpt from "Fires in the Mirror" by Anna Deveare Smith.