The Office of Diversity and Inclusion has identified six core areas to shape and guide the internal and external operations of the unit, all aligning with our mission of leading inclusive excellence at Nebraska and our commitment to excellence guided through operational excellence.

These core areas are:

• Assessment, Research, and Evidence-Based Practice.
• Campus Climate and Education.
• External Relations and Community Engagement.
• Faculty and Staff Recruitment and Retention.
• Infrastructure.
• Student Success and Engagement.

Learn more about each core area in our Strategic Plan.

Areas of Work

Strategic Initiatives

Support and manage the development, growth, and goals of ODI, assist campus unit leaders in developing and implementing strategies for inclusive excellence, and play an instrumental role in advancing the University’s diversity and inclusion strategy. Responsibilities include: diversity strategic planning and implementation; new ventures and partnerships; and ODI-specific activities such as assessments and data analysis, communication and fundraising, budget and financial management, quality of programs, initiatives, and projects.

Faculty Diversity

Develop and implement faculty engagement activities and strategies to address diversity issues particularly relating to recruitment, promotion, and retention of faculty. Responsibilities include: faculty diversity development and recruitment, Academic Diversity Committee support, Faculty of Color Symposium, and underrepresented faculty engagement.

Inclusive Leadership and Learning

Develop and coordinate efforts that build diverse talent searches, onboarding, retention, and success. Develop and lead education and training in support of formal diversity, equity, and inclusive-based practices and policies. Responsibilities include diversity education and training, inclusive leadership development, talent identification and search support, and UNL community building and support.

Inclusive Student Excellence

Develop and coordinate opportunities that increase the participation of minoritized students in high impact practices and implement inclusive leadership activities and programs for all students. Responsibilities include: Office for Academic Success and Intercultural Services, underrepresented student success and support, diversity and intercultural education for students, cultural heritage experiences and awareness, and advising and supporting recruitment and retainment of diverse student populations.

University Committees and Capacity Building

Develop and coordinate opportunities that increase collective and organized thinking and action, provide opportunities for collaboration and innovation, and provide opportunities to build capacity among leaders to advance our institutional prowess for inclusive excellence. Opportunities: Council on Inclusive Excellence and Diversity, Nebraska Community of Learners - Understanding Diversity Through Education (NCLUDE).

External and Community Engagement

Establish practices and initiatives that focus on engagement and outreach through community networking, alumni relations, donor development, marketing, and outreach throughout the state to build increased visibility of UNL’s diversity efforts, increased access to higher education for members of underrepresented groups, and greater responsiveness by the university to the interests of previously underrepresented communities. Opportunities: UNL Vice Chancellor of Diversity Foundation Fund, diversity education and consultation, National Diversity Advisory Board.

Instituted in 2021 and presented by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Nebraska Diversity, Equity, and 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.

Our inaugural Nebraska Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Impact Awards recipients for the 2020-2021 were:

• Marianna Burks, Diversity Leadership Staff Award
• Stephanie Bondi, Diversity Leadership Faculty Award
• Batool Ibrahim, Promising Undergraduate Student Leader Award
• Brooke Wells, Promising Graduate Student Leader Award
• The Bureau of Sociological Research (BOSR), Collective Impact Award

Learn more about the award winners

Inclusive Excellence Across Colleges

At Nebraska, diversity and inclusion are central to the mission and pursuit of excellence for all our academic colleges. Our colleges strive to be leaders in expanding opportunities and reducing barriers for all people in Nebraska and beyond through our enduring commitments to diversity, inclusion, and the relentless pursuit of scholarly excellence. True excellence requires that each individual be able to work and learn in an atmosphere of respect, dignity, and acceptance. Each person has something to gain from and offer to our community of learning, discovery and outreach.

Visit the college Diversity and Inclusion websites:

• College of Architecture
• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business
• College of Education and Human Sciences
• College of Engineering
• College of Journalism and Mass Communications
• College of Law
• Hixson-Lied College of Fine & Performing Arts
• University Libraries

NCLUDE

Nebraska Community of Learners — Understanding Diversity Through Education (NCLUDE) is 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. The inaugural session of NCLUDE was held in August 2020 and introduced members to the operational functions and mission of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

The academic year 2021–2022 highlighted speakers and panelists offering insight into pressing DEI issues:

• October 2021 - Executive Memorandum 40 (Chosen Name and Gender Identity Policy at Nebraska)
• December 2021 - Intersectionality, experiences of queer and trans people of color in Nebraska, featuring Dominque Morgan
• February 2022 - Religious, Spiritual, and Humanist communities in Nebraska moderated by Dr. Max Perry Mueller
• April 2022 - Talking Across Various Lines of Difference in the Classroom featuring Dr. Arden Hill

Breakthrough Recruitment for Inclusive Diversity Growth and Excellence (BRIDGE)

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s efforts to improve levels of diversity and inclusion among faculty and staff have resulted in the development and implementation of the BRIDGE Program, or Breakthrough Recruitment for Inclusive Diversity Growth and Excellence.

BRIDGE has two major components. One is the UNL Faculty and Staff Search Best Practices Guide for Inclusive Excellence, a digital guidance resource that provides evidence-based information to assist search committees and hiring officials to increase the diversity of applicant pools and subsequently increase diverse hires. The second is the Search Education and Training Module, a merging of current mandatory search education presented through the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance with the requisite education module developed for the BRIDGE program. The new search education is mandatory for all persons involved in search processes.

Chancellor’s Commissions

• The Status of People of Color
• The Status of Gender and Sexual Identities
• The Status of Women

The Inclusive Campus Support Network (ICSN)

The ICSN was formed in August 2021 following a review of university policies, procedures, communications, and resources related to the reporting of campus climate and bias incidents. The review, initiated by Chancellor Ronnie Green, identified a need for a structured campus support team through which all members of our community can recognize, report and respond to campus climate and bias-related incidents. ICSN contributes toward the creation and maintenance of a more inclusive, welcoming, and safe university. We promote equity, dignity, and respect for individuals from a diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, experiences, perspectives, abilities, identities, and orientations. The Inclusive Campus Support Network exists for the purpose of:

• Supporting students, staff and faculty who have witnessed or been the target of discrimination and/ or bias-related incidents.
• Referring individuals to resources that can provide ongoing support.
• Informing the campus community about the frequency and nature of bias incidents reported.

The primary goals are to ensure all community members are treated fairly and to provide support resources to individuals who report incidents.

Minority Health Disparities Initiative (MHDI)

MHDI is an interdisciplinary research initiative funded by the UNL Office of Research and Economic Development and the tobacco settlement funds in Nebraska. The Initiative provides UNL faculty with an infrastructure for conducting innovative research to improve the health status of vulnerable and disadvantaged populations and expand the participation of minorities in health research and education.

OASIS

The Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services (OASIS), part of ODI, is designed to enhance student success by promoting academic excellence, diversity awareness, and social engagement. OASIS seeks to transform the lives of students through culturally sensitive academic support and retention services.

The primary goals of OASIS are:

• Increase high-impact programs and opportunities that reflect inclusive excellence.
• Support student retention and success of underrepresented students.
• Expand high-impact initiatives and programs designed to support student experience.

Oasis Student Success Program (OSSP)

OSSP is a year-long program designed to assist students with college transition topics such as time management, social and academic integration, money management, and diversity awareness. The program also connects students with additional University academic support services, social engagement, and leadership opportunities.