Our Husker Actions

My Husker Action

After seeing a number of them flying in Washington, D.C., last summer, we purchased and hung a rainbow pride flag that mirrors the U.S. flag (blue field with stars, rainbow stripes rather than red and white). The initial idea was to show support for family and friends in the LGBTQA+ community. However, it's brought random joy during this crazy year as many neighbors — mostly teens — have stopped (some so happy they came up to the door to ring the bell) to let us know they appreciate our flag and the support it represents. We only intended to fly it for a couple of weeks, but the community response led us to keep it out through the summer. It's been amazing knowing that something so easy could lead to new friendships and make positive ripples in our neighborhood.

My Husker Action

As part of a larger consortium for K-12 teachers, I've help launch an online book club for educators interested in engaging in anti-racist/racial justice work. We built the book club initiative in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s murder as a way to help teachers grow in their efforts towards racial justice. We currently have ~340 educators in our “Racial Healing Handbook” book club and are hopeful many more educators will continue to participate in strong learning that can lead to improved anti-racist educational practices through our book clubs and beyond.

My Husker Action

My Husker Action has continued to bridge first generation and under-represented minority students towards research experiences and opportunities in STEM. Several departments across the university system are supporting these efforts to increase representation of minorities in the sciences. The School of Biological Sciences has encompassed strategic initiatives that focuses to increase this representation. Beginning Fall 2020, I have successfully expanded TRIO students to participate in the FYRE (First Year Research Experience) Program, which provides research opportunities and to develop with research faculty as a first year Husker student.

My Husker Action

VOTE!!! VOTE!! VOTE!! I am using my vote to reject racism, sexism, and white nationalism. I want my leaders to take action to assure liberty and justice for all.

My Husker Action

I watched the City of Lincoln's "Invitation to a Journey to Belonging," featuring John Powell, director of the Othering and Belonging Institute at the University of California-Berkeley. I also signed up to learn about future activities in this initiative to move Lincoln toward becoming a city of belonging.

My Husker Action

I'm directing a play called "seven methods of killing kylie jenner," written by Jasmine Lee-Jones. Theatre spaces are historically all white, and the track record UNL has had for their casts in productions hasn't challenged history. It's important to me to highlight stories that aren't getting the chance to be put forefront. The play talks about black womanhood, colorism, and cultural appropriation. As someone who is mixed race, I want to create and develop more theatre that highlights BIPOC.

My Husker Action

I have respectfully and kindly challenged the status quo and asked difficult questions to help us be better. I believe we are better as leaders, when we allow others to help us learn and grow from our mistakes. I want to be part of a community where we can celebrate failures as opportunities to learn and become better. In the words of Sir Winston Churchill, “failure is not fatal, and success is not final. It is the will to go on that matters most.” Let’s keep going together and create a more just society.

My Husker Action

I have been fortunate to Coach at 4 different Universities in my Coaching career. I've worked with people of different color, ethnicity, and views in life. My love, compassion, and willingness to help others is never based off what color someone is. My belief is that we're called to treat all people with respect and value their perspective. We all don't think or look alike but; we should thrive to learn and gain insight and wisdom from each other regardless of skin color. I am so Thankful for all my student-athletes and the 'Heart' they demonstrate in the way they conduct themselves in competition and in life. We all need to remind ourselves that we need to continue to do our part in building an atmosphere and community that we can be proud of. A community filled with color and diversity that allows us to grow as individuals. Our community and Country can be a lot like a 'Team' if we all do our part of helping, encouraging, listening and inspiring others to be their best- Color will never matter if we come together.

My Husker Action

As one of main "student facing" staff, first I plan on making the environment and atmosphere more open and comfortable so that staff, faculty, and even students can feel comfortable discussing topics regarding diversity and inclusion. The first step I believe we need to take is by having these conversations (and be able to, that's why the open environment is very important) and voicing our opinion. Nothing should be just one time deal just because of what's going on right now in the society. It is time for a change, and we can start to change the tide; we can start to change the conversation starting from us.

My Husker Action

I am proud to be part of the Nebraska Forest Service staff group GROW (Greater Resources and Opportunities for our Workplace). We are a group of staff who have been working hard to help our agency be a more inclusive place to work and to make sure we are serving all Nebraskans well. We are an employee driven group with a mission to advise our administration and educate our staff on matters of cultural sensitivity, diversity, fairness and equity. Some our recent accomplishments are most proud of are hosting our most diverse event yet with our 2019 Family Forest Fest and making improvements to our hiring practices including creating our own check your bias video for our search committees.

My Husker Action

As a class project for my psychology class, I created a Redbubble shop called UNLforBLM. RedbubbLe is a site where you can create artwork and sel products. A few of my classmates and I created stickers in BLM and Husker designs to sell, and all of the proceeds go to BLM fundraising! It is an awesome way to show support with stickers and also raise money.

My Husker Action

Nebraska Women's Soccer started to hosts Sunday sessions on diversity and inclusion based topics. The team met without coaches and staff, to learn more about social injustices and watch documentaries, listened to podcasts, and read articles and discussed what they learned throughout the process.

My Husker Action

I’ve started a practice of prioritizing inclusive excellence. I keep a list of important projects that are within or slightly beyond my sphere of influence. The list is driven by what is needed not what others expect me to do or reward me for. I am working on projects consistently so that they are part of my regular work not an add-on. The list includes learning new things, talking with different people, supporting others' initiatives, and creating initiatives of my own.