UNL Community Roundtable

The Community Roundtable, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, represents a group of civic and community leaders in the Lincoln area who lead organizations with some focus on strengthening the City of Lincoln, Lancaster County, and/or greater Nebraska communities through a) addressing issues that impact historically underrepresented communities or create socioeconomic barriers and/or b) promoting and advancing equitable and inclusive communities more broadly.  

 Representation consists of presidents, CEOs and leadership from a range of organizations that are Lincoln based (e.g., Lincoln Community Foundation and YWCA) and state-based organizations (e.g., Nebraska Commission on Deaf and Hard of Hearing and OutNebraska). The Community Roundtable is an opportunity to connect and network with community leaders of the Lincoln area and to share ODI’s efforts to expand access and belonging while building a mutualistic relationship between the University and the greater Nebraska community.

 At Nebraska, we believe in the power of every person and that every person and every interaction matter. This philosophy captures the spirit of Nebraska where everyone has their own stories, histories, experiences, and journeys that unite us and makes us unique. This mindset hinges on valuing the diverse perspectives of our faculty, staff, students, alums, and community and corporate leaders. In an ever-changing world, this is why an advisory board is critical to UNL’s ability to advance inclusive excellence and create an environment that ignites innovation, leadership, creativity, and learning—the pillars of higher education.

UNL Community Roundtable Members

• Kevin Abourezk, Managing Editor | Indianz.com
• Maria Arriaga, Executive Director | Nebraska Commission on Latino-Americans
• Karen Bell Dancy, Executive Director | YWCA
• Tremaine Combs, Pastor | Mount Zion Baptist Church
• Kelsey Cruz, Marketing & Communications Specialist | Nebraska Commision for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Kim Davis, Advocacy Specialist | Nebraska Commision for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Sheila Dorsey Vinton, Executive Director/CEO | Asian Community & Cultural Center
• Connie Edmond, Commissioner | Commission on African American Affairs
• Brendan Evans, Executive Director | Leadership Lincoln
• Judi M. Gaiashkibos, Executive Director | Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs
• John Goodwin, CEO | Malone Community Center
• Alec Gorynski, President & CEO | Lincoln Community Foundation
• Becky Gould, Executive Director | Nebraska Appleseed
• Romeo Guerra, Executive Director | El Centro de las Americas
• Ronald Hill, President | Faith Coalition of Lancaster County
• Brittney Hodges-Bolkovac, Executive Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion | Lincoln Public Schools
• Katey Hulewicz, Office Manager | Downtown Lincoln Association
• Steve Laravie, Executive Director | Indian Center Inc,
• Heather Loughman, Communications and Development Director | Community Action Partnership for Lancaster and Saunders Counties
• Joy Martinez-Marshall, Vice-President | Faith Coalition of Lancaster County
• DeWayne Mays, President | Lincoln Branch NAACP
• TJ McDowell Jr, Chief of Staff | City of Lincoln
• Michon Morrow, Chief of Police | Lincoln Police Department
• Amber Nore, Director of Community Engagement | Big Brother Big Sister
• Todd Ogden, President & CEO | Downtown Lincoln Association
• Nancy Petitto, Senior Director of Programs | We are Civic Nebraska
• Vann Price, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources | Lincoln Public School
• Lin Quenzer, Ombudsman, VI/ADA Official | Office of the Mayor
• Mindy Rush Chipman, Executive Director | ACLU of Nebraska
• Renee Sans Souci, Self Employed | Education Consultant
• Bennie Shobe, Council Member At-Large | Lincoln City Council
• Bryan Slone, President | Nebraska Chamber of Commerce
• Kathie Uhrmacher, President | Women's Foundation of Lincoln and Lancaster County
• Anitra Warrior, President & Licensed Psychologist | Morningstar Counseling & Consultation
• Sandra Washington, Council Member At-Large | Lincoln City Council
• Jeff Yost, President & CEO | Nebraska Community Foundation
• Abbi Swatsworth, Executive Director | OutNebraska