Nebraksa DEI Impact Award Ceremony

Office of Diversity and Inclusion Author

04/22/2021 Added

29 Plays

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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.

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[00:00:12.100]Hello, thank you all so much for joining us
[00:00:16.050]at the inaugural Nebraska DEI Diversity Equity and Inclusion
[00:00:20.700]Impact Award Ceremony,
[00:00:22.800]before we begin, I would like to recognize the place
[00:00:25.610]in which we reside.
[00:00:27.660]The University of Nebraska
[00:00:28.780]is a public land-grant institution
[00:00:31.550]with campuses and programs across the State
[00:00:34.760]that reside on the past, present and future homelands
[00:00:38.170]of the Pawnee, Ponka, Oto-Missouria, Omaha, Dakota, Lakota,
[00:00:43.680]Arapaho, Cheyenne, Kaw Peoples, Winnebago,
[00:00:47.680]as well as a relocated Ho-Chunck, Iowa,
[00:00:51.130]and Sac and Fox Peoples.
[00:00:53.470]We are grateful to Doctor Margaret Huettl,
[00:00:55.300]assistant professor in history
[00:00:57.150]and the Institute for Ethnic Studies
[00:00:59.010]for conducting this important research.
[00:01:01.740]This knowledge allows us to better understand
[00:01:03.670]that our opportunity to impact
[00:01:05.210]the State of Nebraska and beyond,
[00:01:07.681]and occupy these lands is a result of a history
[00:01:10.690]of native and indegineous peoples' experience
[00:01:12.911]of displacement, violence, settlement, and survival
[00:01:17.690]which continues to inform our present and our future.
[00:01:22.670]We will now have our welcoming at the vice chancellor
[00:01:25.140]for diversity and inclusion, Doctor Marco Barker.
[00:01:30.500]Thank you Doctor Friday,
[00:01:32.540]first, let me express my gratitude for all of you
[00:01:36.460]supporting this inaugural DEI Impact Awards
[00:01:40.060]especially for your attendance after the announcement
[00:01:44.500]of the Chauvin trial verdict, which I can only imagine
[00:01:48.660]had some of us anxious, re-traumatized, frustrated
[00:01:52.850]or you've been vindicated to see Floyd's murder
[00:01:56.360]brought to trial, so I recognize that you may be emotionally
[00:02:00.740]and physically drained,
[00:02:02.490]I know I went and sat at the reading of the accounts
[00:02:05.870]and was just overcome with feelings as the trial concluded,
[00:02:11.160]and so this makes your presence even more appreciated
[00:02:14.270]by me and our team, I'm also appreciative
[00:02:17.020]for the opportunity to make time to celebrate
[00:02:19.850]the work of individuals and departments
[00:02:22.210]who are doing their parts to make our university better.
[00:02:26.130]I shared earlier this year,
[00:02:28.100]that as important as it is to make time to advocate
[00:02:32.160]for diversity, equity, inclusion, justice,
[00:02:36.640]it is as equally important to find time to celebrate
[00:02:40.200]and lift up each other, and these awards do just that,
[00:02:44.160]they are a demonstration of our office's commitment
[00:02:47.910]to recognize the individuals who are working
[00:02:50.700]to transform our institution,
[00:02:52.770]certainly something that I heard when I first arrived
[00:02:55.390]to Nebraska as a need for our institution,
[00:02:58.820]these awards also represent how each of us
[00:03:01.390]can make an impact where we are,
[00:03:03.390]whether we are organizing groups to bring attention
[00:03:07.180]to black women who have died at the hands of police
[00:03:09.970]or advising student organizations,
[00:03:12.130]or coordinating education opportunities to ask colleagues
[00:03:15.140]to think critically, all of these acts are important,
[00:03:18.597]and impact can happen whether it's through collective action
[00:03:22.330]or individual efforts on or off campus,
[00:03:25.410]and you'll see evidence of that today,
[00:03:27.460]and so we wanna elevate such impact,
[00:03:30.940]I know and we know there are many more individuals
[00:03:33.780]who are doing this work that often go unheard,
[00:03:36.270]and so we hope that at least today these are examples
[00:03:39.311]of them speaking loudly,
[00:03:42.510]recognizing today's recipients is additionally special
[00:03:45.070]because I know they have been determined, and committed,
[00:03:48.800]and responsive during a year that we faced a pandemic
[00:03:52.750]continued racial injustice,
[00:03:54.810]and absolutely uncertainty about how or when these issues
[00:03:59.090]will get addressed, and so I thank you,
[00:04:01.820]our university thanks you for what you do,
[00:04:04.540]and so congratulations to the recipients and to all of you
[00:04:08.460]who are supporting these and ongoing efforts
[00:04:11.507]across our institution, enjoy today's program.
[00:04:20.450]Thank you to our vice chancellor, Doctor Barker,
[00:04:24.440]as noted a little bit earlier this past year
[00:04:28.380]the work of diversity, equity and inclusion
[00:04:30.760]has become more pronounced and visible
[00:04:33.050]due to the towering impact and the implications
[00:04:35.350]of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is not only a pandemic
[00:04:39.010]but a global health pandemic effete
[00:04:40.800]that continues to cause uncertainty and concerns
[00:04:44.220]across the spectrum, the pandemic while also changing
[00:04:47.640]the landscape of so much of what we see in higher education
[00:04:50.710]it's changed our day to day engagement, our connection,
[00:04:53.580]but it's also led to more visibility and understanding
[00:04:56.540]of the deep and historic inequities that we see
[00:04:59.650]not only in our nation,
[00:05:01.310]but are more pronounced globally now more than ever,
[00:05:04.610]and as this work has unfolded,
[00:05:07.400]we've noted several individuals and groups
[00:05:10.430]who've not only used this as an opportunity to highlight
[00:05:13.870]and emphasize structural historic inequities,
[00:05:16.480]but they have also provided a much needed illumination
[00:05:20.480]of this work in pronounced ways.
[00:05:23.640]The Nebraska DEI Impact Awards are designed to highlight,
[00:05:27.540]elevate, and to celebrate this work,
[00:05:30.320]and this is our inaugural institutional ethics
[00:05:32.370]inclusive Excellence Award
[00:05:33.640]at the University of Nebraska Lincoln,
[00:05:35.850]and of course these awards are presented
[00:05:37.390]by the opposite diversity inclusion,
[00:05:39.030]but it is institutional in its efforts
[00:05:40.950]to really highlight transformative efforts by individuals,
[00:05:44.701]by groups who actively advance
[00:05:47.100]diversity, equity and inclusion, and transformative
[00:05:50.230]and sustainable ways here at UNL.
[00:05:53.510]Now notably, all of this work
[00:05:55.520]was done continuously under the pandemic,
[00:05:59.910]it's done under several additional struggles
[00:06:03.837]within our nation, we've noted in the past few years,
[00:06:07.710]the past few months, these incidents, this racial reckoning,
[00:06:11.340]and the work that we will highlight today
[00:06:13.640]shows that not only our house is equipped to do this work,
[00:06:16.640]but our community continues to support,
[00:06:18.650]and as we've now look forward towards a new future
[00:06:21.670]but also new activists in highlighting those efforts.
[00:06:25.730]We want to talk a little bit about
[00:06:27.320]the Nebraska DEI Impact Award,
[00:06:29.960]so the Nebraska Diversity Equity Inclusion Awards,
[00:06:32.870]were designed for individuals and groups
[00:06:35.220]who demonstrated a significant contribution
[00:06:37.380]for creating a diverse and inclusive UNL community
[00:06:40.400]through the implementation of policies, research,
[00:06:43.190]procedures, initiatives, and our programs
[00:06:46.070]that were reflective of our core values and beliefs
[00:06:48.420]here at UNL,
[00:06:49.940]now some of these values of some of this work
[00:06:52.030]can be reflected through the embedding of diversity
[00:06:54.360]and inclusiveness and a structural
[00:06:56.480]or institutional aspect of UNL,
[00:06:58.330]such as a policy and procedure tradition,
[00:07:01.060]a vision statement or curriculum,
[00:07:03.105]it can be through the recruitment and retention
[00:07:04.930]of an excellent and diverse staff, faculty, or student body,
[00:07:09.080]demonstrating advocacy for social justice
[00:07:11.280]and intercultural awareness,
[00:07:13.440]the raising and deepening awareness of equity, inclusion
[00:07:15.860]and diversity issues,
[00:07:18.070]valuing diversity and promoting cultural competency
[00:07:20.860]in transformative ways that impact individual, unit,
[00:07:24.440]organization, division, or department activities
[00:07:28.140]or just other critical areas that are absolutely critical
[00:07:31.140]for establishing inclusive excellence here at Nebraska.
[00:07:36.800]Now all award categories that we will down mention now
[00:07:40.080]will be receiving a special recognition plaque
[00:07:42.260]and certificates during the ceremony,
[00:07:44.890]and of course, all collective impact award
[00:07:47.060]and individual awards will also receive a monetary gift
[00:07:49.840]towards their service.
[00:07:52.300]There are four categories of the Nebraska DEI Impact Awards,
[00:07:55.620]these categories are collective impact,
[00:07:59.140]which is a group award,
[00:08:01.036]this is for groups, units, organizations such as a college
[00:08:05.330]department, student group, faculty,
[00:08:07.350]or staff organization, or committee,
[00:08:09.910]there's a diversity leadership staff award
[00:08:12.230]which is designed for an individual staff member
[00:08:14.900]who must be an employee at the time of the nomination,
[00:08:18.850]the third category, diversity leadership faculty award,
[00:08:22.483]it's a native for an individual faculty member,
[00:08:25.196]one who must be an employee at the time of nomination,
[00:08:28.435]and then the final award, which is two awards in one
[00:08:32.020]are promising leader award to be awarded to an undergraduate
[00:08:35.140]and a graduate or professional student,
[00:08:37.870]and those students of course are full enrolled students
[00:08:40.100]at the University Nebraska Lincoln
[00:08:41.480]at the time of their nomination.
[00:08:45.300]We will now begin with the awarding of these awards,
[00:08:49.180]the first award will be presented by Chancellor Ronnie Green
[00:08:52.920]and that's for the Collective Impact Award,
[00:08:55.890]and again, this is for the group award,
[00:08:58.430]we now welcome Chancellor Green as he presents
[00:09:01.603]the recipient of the Collective Impact Award.
[00:09:06.150]Well, thank you very much Nkenge and Marco
[00:09:08.850]and kudos to you
[00:09:11.177]and to the office of diversity and inclusion
[00:09:14.730]for this inaugural year of the DEI Impact Awards,
[00:09:19.986]and thanks to all of you for being part of it today,
[00:09:23.210]it is a historic time for us,
[00:09:25.220]certainly today is a historic day
[00:09:28.040]as it was pointed out earlier,
[00:09:30.240]congratulations to all of the awardees
[00:09:33.410]who will be recognized tonight on what you are doing to lead
[00:09:38.620]my kudos and congratulations to all of you.
[00:09:42.370]I'm here tonight to recognize the Collective Impact Award
[00:09:48.260]that you heard Nkenge refer to a moment ago,
[00:09:53.260]this award recognizes outstanding contributions
[00:09:57.070]to diversity, equity and inclusion
[00:09:59.530]by units or organizations here at UNL,
[00:10:04.070]with a special focus on transformative and impactful work
[00:10:08.610]through collective organizing and capacity building,
[00:10:12.400]this year's winner of the Collective Impact Award
[00:10:15.610]in this inaugural year
[00:10:17.580]is the Bureau of Sociological Research
[00:10:21.480]in our College of Arts and Sciences here in the university,
[00:10:25.660]and I'll refer to it tonight, you'll hear me refer to it
[00:10:28.310]as (indistinct) here at the university,
[00:10:33.753]the Bureau of Sociological Research conducts national,
[00:10:37.830]regional and local surveys using a variety
[00:10:41.490]of survey research methods,
[00:10:44.300]BOSR maintains a strong commitment to diversity
[00:10:47.780]and inclusion in its mission and its practice,
[00:10:51.140]while this commitment grows out of BOSR's roots
[00:10:53.900]and sociology, a field noted as committed
[00:10:57.320]to social justice and equity, the unit is lauded
[00:11:01.950]for creating a workplace that deliberately seeks
[00:11:05.300]to hire people who will compliment current student employees
[00:11:09.570]by ensuring that we have a diversity of experiences,
[00:11:13.060]perspectives, and people from groups underrepresented
[00:11:16.800]on the university campuses, and it's structured to support
[00:11:21.030]their inclusion and their success,
[00:11:24.200]in addition to building a diverse and inclusive staff
[00:11:27.840]BOSR's research surfaces support,
[00:11:30.180]a significant portion of UNL's research
[00:11:33.250]on diversity, inclusion and other related topics,
[00:11:37.300]individual faculty members drive the research focus
[00:11:40.530]and questions, and BOSR often provides
[00:11:43.580]the necessary data collection and/or processing support
[00:11:47.720]to facilitate this work,
[00:11:50.380]for example, BOSR has collected data to evaluate programs
[00:11:55.060]to increase the inclusion of underserved populations,
[00:11:58.910]for example, women, racial minorities,
[00:12:02.380]and first-generation college students
[00:12:05.000]in various STEM scholarship and mentorship programs
[00:12:09.350]to better understand Nebraskans views of LGBT issues,
[00:12:13.600]to learn about age related transportation issues,
[00:12:17.260]to examine the effects of harassment and discrimination
[00:12:21.020]on women and racial minorities,
[00:12:23.720]and to understand UNL resources and policies
[00:12:27.180]related to sexual assault,
[00:12:30.060]with its ties to sociology,
[00:12:32.140]it's partnership with state and local actors
[00:12:35.160]including Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation,
[00:12:38.510]the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired,
[00:12:42.890]and the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights and growing work
[00:12:47.280]with the department of modern languages and literatures,
[00:12:50.940]BOSR's work reflects a commitment to inclusive excellence,
[00:12:56.020]please join me in congratulating
[00:12:58.170]the Bureau of Sociological Research,
[00:13:01.100]recipient of the inaugural Collective Impact Award
[00:13:04.767]for the 2021 academic year (claps hands).
[00:13:14.690]Great, well thank you Chancellor Green,
[00:13:17.550]we're very honored to receive this award,
[00:13:20.770]we believe that for a long time at BOSR
[00:13:23.450]that everything's better, when we think about diversity,
[00:13:27.690]it makes our staff better, it makes the work we do better
[00:13:30.200]and it makes the data that we collect better,
[00:13:33.120]in addition to the initiatives
[00:13:34.630]that Chancellor Green mentioned,
[00:13:36.330]we have worked to hire a diverse staff that includes
[00:13:41.080]international students from Spanish speaking interviewers,
[00:13:44.600]Chancellor Green mentioned our partnership
[00:13:46.560]with Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation
[00:13:49.750]and Nebraska Commission for the Blind to hire people
[00:13:52.440]with different abilities, and with this population in mind
[00:13:56.470]we've also developed professional development opportunities
[00:13:59.300]for our non-student employees,
[00:14:01.600]off-campus we've helped the state of Nebraska
[00:14:04.120]evaluate the foster care system, special education programs
[00:14:08.170]and Nebraska public high schools,
[00:14:10.140]and the mental health and substance abuse services
[00:14:12.630]that they provide, and last year we partnered
[00:14:16.000]with the university's department of modern languages
[00:14:18.614]and literature to develop the Nebraska translator
[00:14:21.830]and interpreter course which delivers translation services
[00:14:25.970]to campus, government, community, and nonprofit partners,
[00:14:29.460]and we were very proud when the (indistinct)
[00:14:33.560]was heavily utilized by the city of Lincoln
[00:14:36.010]to translate COVID information into six languages,
[00:14:40.010]allowing for greater spread of this information
[00:14:42.380]to minority group.
[00:14:44.260]We continue to work on new initiatives in this area,
[00:14:47.330]for example, we're currently engaging
[00:14:49.490]with the Nebraska tribes to see how we can help
[00:14:52.420]and have already began work with the Winnebago tribe,
[00:14:55.790]and although I'm representing BOSR right now,
[00:14:58.550]this is truly a team effort and reflects the hard work
[00:15:02.030]of 20 BOSR full-time staff and about 100 student
[00:15:05.140]and community employees.
[00:15:07.030]So we're proud to support the university's mission
[00:15:10.100]and commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity,
[00:15:13.470]and thank you again for this wonderful honor.
[00:15:26.060]Congratulations again to BOSR on being the recipient
[00:15:29.320]of our inaugural Collective Impact Award.
[00:15:32.210]Our next award presented by Rinell Maltons,
[00:15:34.710]president of the University Association
[00:15:36.760]for Administrative Development,
[00:15:38.490]is for the Diversity Leadership Staff Award.
[00:15:46.900]Hello, I'm Rinelle Maltons,
[00:15:48.850]President of the University Association
[00:15:51.750]for Administrative Development, or UAAD.
[00:15:55.530]On behalf of UADD and in the absence of my colleagues
[00:15:58.890]within the University of Nebraska
[00:16:01.080]Office Professionals Association, UNOPA,
[00:16:06.590]at the University of Nebraska Lincoln,
[00:16:08.800]it gives me great pleasure to announce the winner
[00:16:11.070]of the inaugural Diversity Leadership Staff Award,
[00:16:15.640]this award designed to highlight
[00:16:18.350]the outstanding contribution
[00:16:20.010]to diversity, equity and inclusion
[00:16:22.380]by a member of the UNL staff, represents the transformative
[00:16:26.300]and impactful work by members of our dedicated
[00:16:29.210]and innovative staff, this year's winner
[00:16:32.414]of the Diversity Leadership Staff Award is Marianna Burks,
[00:16:38.250]instructor of biology
[00:16:39.650]within the school of biological sciences
[00:16:42.490]and science specialists with the student support services
[00:16:46.130]and TRIO programs,
[00:16:48.470]Marianna Burks serves as an inclusive leader
[00:16:51.680]through her support and impact on student development
[00:16:55.460]as a mentor and role model, campus leadership and service,
[00:16:59.730]community engagement, and her support
[00:17:02.550]for historically underrepresented
[00:17:04.633]and underserved populations,
[00:17:08.230]Marianna reflects an extraordinary commitment
[00:17:11.600]to teaching a diversity, equity and inclusion mentorship,
[00:17:16.360]all illustrating her transformital influence at UNL
[00:17:21.600]Marianna fiercely advocates for her students
[00:17:24.370]and willingly shares her passion, expertise and resources
[00:17:28.470]for mentoring with her colleagues,
[00:17:30.780]her colleagues and students
[00:17:32.210]note her as an exceptional mentor, who has established
[00:17:35.930]impactful lasting mentoring relationships with her mentees
[00:17:41.080]through one-on-one mentoring as an instructor
[00:17:43.970]and as the faculty advisor
[00:17:45.960]for the minority pre-health association,
[00:17:49.660]additionally, by sharing her personal experiences
[00:17:52.960]with her students and colleagues,
[00:17:55.110]Marianna serves as an excellent role model
[00:17:57.880]for how to have a healthy work-life balance,
[00:18:02.380]in reference to Mariana's work, a colleague said,
[00:18:05.357]"under her guidance the minority pre-health association
[00:18:08.487]"demonstrates advocacy for social justice
[00:18:12.157]"and intercultural awareness through their programming
[00:18:15.577]"and outreach activities, as an advisor,
[00:18:20.687]"Marianna is always available to her students and mentees,
[00:18:24.467]"we have paused meetings, so she could respond
[00:18:27.607]"to an urgent text message or take a phone call,
[00:18:30.717]"and her students know she is always available to help."
[00:18:35.350]Please join me in congratulating, Mrs. Marianna Burks
[00:18:38.890]as the Diversity Leadership Staff Award recipient
[00:18:42.330]for the 2021/2022 academic year.
[00:18:51.708]Thank you all so much,
[00:18:53.910]thank you for those wonderful words Rinell,
[00:18:58.983]I'm speechless, but I have a speech,
[00:19:02.110]I am tremendously thankful
[00:19:06.080]for the impact that has been made at UNL,
[00:19:09.100]but I will go ahead and go with my words
[00:19:12.450]to thank those that have seen
[00:19:15.450]that impact and the support that they've provided for me.
[00:19:19.530]First, I want to genuinely thank my colleagues
[00:19:22.210]who nominated me for this inaugural award,
[00:19:25.140]Doctor Audrey Atkins, Dr. Christie Mantooth
[00:19:28.630]and Doctor Eileen Hebets,
[00:19:30.620]and to my biology department chair Doctor Mike Herman,
[00:19:35.000]to my TRIO colleague, Joan Mendoza Gorham,
[00:19:38.520]director for Upward Bound,
[00:19:40.930]to my colleague, Mrs. Justina Clark,
[00:19:43.450]director for undergraduate research,
[00:19:46.050]and also to the assistant vice chancellor for research
[00:19:49.680]Nathan Meyer, to my mentees and students, Stanora, Joby,
[00:19:54.770]Selena, Moh and Arya, and to my student assistant team,
[00:19:59.670]which I just found out today
[00:20:01.440]provided their significant words and support
[00:20:03.920]on my behalf of this nomination,
[00:20:06.340]to the minority pre-health association organization,
[00:20:09.940]and to my family, the Burks, there are so many others
[00:20:13.860]and I am truly, truly thankful.
[00:20:16.820]It is with you all I deeply share this gratitude
[00:20:20.390]and recognition with, I sincerely appreciate
[00:20:24.020]our diversity and inclusion office recognizing the service
[00:20:27.810]that truly impacts the university.
[00:20:30.310]This institution allowed me to cultivate, teach, mentor,
[00:20:34.620]and develop engagement for inclusive commitment,
[00:20:37.900]for it is the students, faculties, department and programs
[00:20:42.090]which we shared the space as a community,
[00:20:45.310]I truly believe that every interaction matters
[00:20:48.270]especially at UNL and especially for our students,
[00:20:52.340]the value of working with those who are sincere
[00:20:54.940]in their impacts for diversity and inclusion
[00:20:57.660]honestly offer the support, collaboration,
[00:21:00.940]connection and overall purpose.
[00:21:03.820]After reading the nomination letter just yesterday I cried
[00:21:07.800]because these were tears of joy,
[00:21:10.110]because sometimes I don't realize the impact made
[00:21:12.830]until much later,
[00:21:14.770]I have served as a professional at UNL for 18 years,
[00:21:18.530]having grown with this institution,
[00:21:20.890]a hybrid of significant college experiences,
[00:21:24.540]transferring from LSU with a cultural Louisiana background,
[00:21:29.010]as you often hear that I've never lost my Louisiana accent,
[00:21:33.230]and to the embracing UNL as a young student
[00:21:35.850]and now professional,
[00:21:37.560]I valued that all that UNL afforded to me,
[00:21:40.740]but I also functioned in a vacuum,
[00:21:43.330]a non-traditional student in animal science
[00:21:46.210]especially a minority woman,
[00:21:49.340]many experiences shaped and developed me
[00:21:51.910]into the profession person I am today,
[00:21:54.830]within years of research and through my position
[00:21:57.570]as a science specialist and biology instructor,
[00:22:00.750]it was my determination to enhance opportunities
[00:22:03.980]that increased inclusion for our minority, underrepresented,
[00:22:07.719]or financially limited students in STEM,
[00:22:11.310]this truly for me, is to cultivate an environment for all,
[00:22:16.510]students share their college experiences
[00:22:18.700]and narratives with me, and through this
[00:22:21.160]I carried a fundamental purpose to access more opportunities
[00:22:25.230]and relationship that shaped towards them attainment
[00:22:29.250]and their success, I am truly the lucky one
[00:22:32.900]to know and understand their backgrounds
[00:22:35.220]for which should never diminish any student's stability,
[00:22:38.900]colleagues and friends close to me
[00:22:40.550]know I fiercely advocate for students,
[00:22:43.070]probably getting myself into some good trouble along the way
[00:22:46.940]yet, this is because of my genuine passion and investment
[00:22:50.320]for these remarkable students,
[00:22:52.230]and within me set a determination to always inspire them,
[00:22:57.070]for it is our students to which I am purposed to serve,
[00:23:00.310]I cannot thank enough my remarkable colleagues, directors,
[00:23:04.610]and my own professional mentors,
[00:23:07.180]for it is also you that allowed me to develop
[00:23:10.370]and enhance initiatives that provide positive
[00:23:12.870]and meaningful involvement,
[00:23:14.760]I guess for me, I serve as the intermediate.
[00:23:18.070]I sincerely commend everyone who supported me
[00:23:20.760]and genuinely worked with me,
[00:23:22.860]we together reinforce these efforts
[00:23:25.070]by diversity and inclusion for this cannot be done alone,
[00:23:29.160]it takes intentional effort and determination
[00:23:32.300]that leads to a definitive goal of diversity and inclusion.
[00:23:36.520]I'm immensely thankful,
[00:23:38.130]and I will always carry gratitude in my heart
[00:23:40.860]for those who work with me to establish
[00:23:43.080]positive experiences and equitable access in STEM,
[00:23:47.140]thank you for I'm reminded how special UNL is
[00:23:51.250]and I'll continue progress towards inclusion.
[00:24:05.650]Congratulations again to Marianna Burks
[00:24:07.530]on being the recipient of our inaugural
[00:24:09.830]Diversity Leadership Staff Award.
[00:24:12.050]Our next award will be presented by Doctor Nicole Bullon,
[00:24:15.300]faculty senate president
[00:24:17.150]for the Diversity Leadership Faculty Award.
[00:24:22.170]Thank you Nkenge, good evening everyone.
[00:24:25.090]On behalf of the University of Nebraska Lincoln faculty,
[00:24:28.230]I'm honored to announce the winner
[00:24:30.060]of the inaugural Diversity Leadership Faculty Award,
[00:24:33.503]this award designed to highlight
[00:24:35.750]the outstanding contribution to diversity, equity
[00:24:38.440]and inclusion by a member of the UNL faculty
[00:24:41.860]represents the transformative and impactful work by members
[00:24:44.339]of our innovative and dedicated scholar educators.
[00:24:47.770]This year's winner of the Diversity Leadership Faculty Award
[00:24:50.760]is Doctor Stephanie Bondi,
[00:24:52.450]associate professor of practice in student affairs,
[00:24:55.240]administration, M.A coordinator
[00:24:57.340]in the College of Education and Human Sciences.
[00:25:00.640]Doctor Bondi serves as a leader
[00:25:02.670]of the grassroots diversity and inclusion group,
[00:25:05.250]advocating for inclusion, respect, and equity,
[00:25:07.980]or AFIRE, a coalition of faculty staff and students
[00:25:11.770]in the College of Education and Human Sciences.
[00:25:14.900]Under Doctor Bondi's leadership, AFIRE has offered
[00:25:17.850]over a dozen learning sessions
[00:25:19.500]for faculty, students, and staff
[00:25:21.570]on essential diversity, equity and inclusion issues
[00:25:24.710]since April 2020.
[00:25:27.350]Doctor Bondi's peers, department chair, and dean
[00:25:30.520]all attest to her contributions
[00:25:33.430]that not only impact her college, but impact the institution
[00:25:37.850]while Doctor Bondi's educational sessions
[00:25:40.300]were noted as essential to understanding
[00:25:42.990]of critical diversity issues, she has also been instrumental
[00:25:46.640]in building knowledge and skills among all
[00:25:49.770]on the college leadership team
[00:25:51.760]through special workshops and meetings,
[00:25:54.600]Doctor Bondi also serves as a well-known leader nationally
[00:25:58.230]for her work in diversity, equity and inclusion
[00:26:01.342]in the student affairs field,
[00:26:04.020]while also being an active member
[00:26:06.280]of the Lincoln and Greater Nebraska Community
[00:26:08.490]around issues of justice, and anti-racism.
[00:26:11.810]Please join me in congratulating Doctor Stephanie Bondi,
[00:26:14.900]as the recipient of the Diversity Leadership Faculty Award
[00:26:18.040]for the 2020/2022 academic year (claps hands).
[00:26:30.258]Well, I'm putting my notes in front of my camera,
[00:26:32.130]thank you Nicole.
[00:26:35.410]Hello everyone, I'm completely humbled
[00:26:37.750]being nominated for and receiving this award,
[00:26:40.760]especially being the inaugural recipient.
[00:26:44.060]I'm so proud to see UNL honoring diversity and equity work
[00:26:47.870]the way we do with the awards for research and teaching,
[00:26:52.110]I'm very grateful to my chair, Nick Pace,
[00:26:54.410]and to CEHS Dean, Sherry Jones, for nominating me
[00:26:58.410]and more so for the support and resources they provide
[00:27:01.570]to facilitate my work on campus,
[00:27:04.580]I wouldn't have as much energy to do the work I do
[00:27:06.760]if I was constantly fighting to convince them
[00:27:09.400]the work is necessary,
[00:27:10.710]or if I had to convince myself or others
[00:27:12.890]of my scholarly expertise related to diversity and equity,
[00:27:18.140]and thank you also to the people
[00:27:20.670]who wrote supporting letters
[00:27:22.290]Hoel Orozco, Zach Palmer and Pat Tetro.
[00:27:27.690]When reflecting about what this award really means to me
[00:27:30.940]I was flooded with the faces of the people
[00:27:33.730]who have been on this journey with me
[00:27:35.790]without these folks I doubt I would have the insights
[00:27:39.480]or the commitments that I currently have.
[00:27:43.460]First, my parents who devoted much of their lives
[00:27:46.210]to teaching me the values of responsibility and discipline,
[00:27:50.800]in my early friendships across difference
[00:27:53.260]even though we hardly acknowledged the differences
[00:27:55.810]in our conversations.
[00:27:58.320]To Doctor Mary Howard Hamilton,
[00:28:00.220]who responded to my class project on whiteness
[00:28:03.610]with encouragement to present it
[00:28:05.760]at a professional conference,
[00:28:07.880]she's the one who planted the seed,
[00:28:10.040]not only in my competence in speaking about whiteness
[00:28:13.800]but also my role to do so, even as a graduate student.
[00:28:19.890]To Eric Love, who in those early years
[00:28:22.760]after a conversation about racism,
[00:28:24.850]in which I was reinforcing racism,
[00:28:27.520]he checked on me after the conversation
[00:28:29.730]and asked me a simple question, "how are you feeling?"
[00:28:33.380]Through this he encouraged me to be kind to myself
[00:28:36.180]and to keep reflecting.
[00:28:38.720]To my Social Justice Training Institute faculty
[00:28:42.150]Jamie Washington, Becky Martinez,
[00:28:44.430]Vernon Wall and Kathy Obear,
[00:28:47.010]thank you for giving me mentorship of what it looks like
[00:28:50.090]to interact across difference in an oppressive society
[00:28:53.710]where I've internalized my dominance,
[00:28:55.800]and some have internalized oppression,
[00:28:57.890]and we often operate in these hierarchies.
[00:29:01.039]I learned to notice my own behaviors,
[00:29:04.122]looking down and trying to control others
[00:29:06.847]and to be in authentic relationships
[00:29:09.150]across race and other identities, and they taught me
[00:29:12.670]how to tend to those relationships with love,
[00:29:16.200]Kathy Obear notably modeled for me how to be a white person
[00:29:19.790]working with other white people to be better anti-racist
[00:29:23.200]and to support each other's development.
[00:29:26.800]And to my Iowa State faculty, mentors and peers,
[00:29:29.660]they taught me the value of being a community
[00:29:31.920]while doing this work, Doctor Lori Patton Davis mentored me
[00:29:35.490]to be a scholar of whiteness and a published author,
[00:29:38.860]Doctor Riaz Shajahan exposed me to scholars of colonization
[00:29:43.070]and opened the door for my dissertation
[00:29:45.060]about "Colonization in Higher Ed and Student Affairs",
[00:29:48.317]Dr. Ryan e.g gave me the gift
[00:29:51.220]of critical qualitative research
[00:29:53.110]that I get to share with my students
[00:29:54.880]so they can follow their voices to meaningful research
[00:29:58.030]that serves their communities,
[00:30:00.048]and my peers, Joyce Louie, who taught me what it looks like
[00:30:03.550]to teach from the heart and Vijay Kanagala who taught me
[00:30:07.270]about contemplative practice, to Mike Benitez who taught me
[00:30:11.850]to say it like it is shrouded and respect
[00:30:14.220]for myself and others,
[00:30:16.142]and to my partner, Cory Romain, who's there to help me
[00:30:19.630]process all the things that don't make sense
[00:30:22.460]because a lot of things just don't make sense,
[00:30:26.490]he supports me in our family
[00:30:27.860]so we can have quality time together
[00:30:29.600]amidst all the work and activities,
[00:30:32.810]I must thank Alicia Tesbolum,
[00:30:35.020]a grad student who instructed me
[00:30:37.110]and lobbied Cory to start AFIRE in CEHS,
[00:30:41.930]this organization, AFIRE, has made my work more impactful
[00:30:45.590]and visible across the institution,
[00:30:48.700]Alicia is just one of the students,
[00:30:51.140]the many students who I've been able to learn
[00:30:53.840]through their experiences and research
[00:30:56.860]about what it means to do diversity and equity work
[00:31:00.240]and the impact it has on students' lives.
[00:31:05.300]Most recently, my stand-in for Nebraska board siblings
[00:31:08.850]have shown me that we must not only care about the issues
[00:31:12.600]but we must creatively call others in with us
[00:31:16.340]to urge changes in society, and I've learned from them
[00:31:20.600]even when I anticipate and approach may not work
[00:31:23.940]or I think I can explain why the inequity exists,
[00:31:27.670]I'm might still focus on what targeted groups need,
[00:31:31.070]and I must work for it.
[00:31:33.130]As a cis white person from a family with so many privileges,
[00:31:36.640]I have a lot of tensions with receiving this award,
[00:31:40.430]on one hand, I do like the validation of my work,
[00:31:43.860]and also I know there's many people on this campus
[00:31:46.330]who have been doing this work for decades,
[00:31:50.410]specifically people in minoritized groups, LBGTQ people,
[00:31:55.230]people in racially minoritized groups, religious minorities,
[00:31:58.910]and people with disabilities have been advocating
[00:32:01.330]and pushing for more diversity and equity for decades,
[00:32:04.600]sometimes with risks for their relationships,
[00:32:07.060]reputations, employment, or safety,
[00:32:10.270]if that's you, I wanna say that I see you,
[00:32:15.760]I appreciate you,
[00:32:19.695]and I'm accepting this award in solidarity with you
[00:32:25.080]and I'm ready for the work ahead, thank you.
[00:32:38.240]Thank you so much Doctor Bondi,
[00:32:43.200]congratulations again on being the recipient
[00:32:45.900]of the Diversity Leadership Faculty Award,
[00:32:47.920]as we can see thus far, our faculty staff and organizations
[00:32:52.210]have had such meaningful impact on our campus
[00:32:55.100]and continue to do so.
[00:32:57.160]Our next award,
[00:32:58.320]the Promising Undergraduate Student Leader Award
[00:33:00.802]will be presented by Roni Miller, president of ASUN.
[00:33:09.450]Thank you Doctor Friday.
[00:33:10.680]Hi everyone, my name is Roni Miller,
[00:33:13.100]and I serve as president of the Association of Students
[00:33:16.250]of the University of Nebraska, ASUN.
[00:33:19.580]On behalf of ASUN it gives me great pleasure
[00:33:22.070]to announce the winner of the inaugural
[00:33:24.340]Promising Undergraduate Leader Award,
[00:33:27.560]this award designed to highlight
[00:33:29.940]the outstanding contribution to diversity, equity
[00:33:33.880]and inclusion by undergraduate student leaders
[00:33:36.760]at the University of Nebraska Lincoln,
[00:33:39.340]this represents the transformative and impactful work
[00:33:42.510]initiated by student leaders.
[00:33:45.250]This year's winner
[00:33:46.310]of the Promising Undergraduate Student Leader
[00:33:48.800]is Batool Ibrahim,
[00:33:50.460]junior political science and global studies major,
[00:33:53.900]and the president elect of ASUN,
[00:33:57.310]as president of the black student union,
[00:33:59.430]the umbrella organization for all black
[00:34:01.600]and African recognized student organizations,
[00:34:04.420]Batool has provided key leadership to the organization
[00:34:08.190]while navigating the group through a host of initiatives
[00:34:11.410]and activities designed to provide support, visibility,
[00:34:15.380]and action towards racial, justice and equity.
[00:34:19.170]Following the nationwide protests and demonstrations
[00:34:21.930]in wake of George Floyd's murder,
[00:34:24.070]Batool rallied members of BSU towards community action
[00:34:27.530]and demonstrations, leading the organization to tracking
[00:34:31.430]and assessing police and community relations,
[00:34:34.660]while also developing a community driven service project,
[00:34:38.670]the Care Bag Initiative,
[00:34:40.700]this initiative, a COVID relief project, raised $1,400
[00:34:46.230]through community donations and received a $20,000 grant
[00:34:50.480]from community action and NGO in Lincoln,
[00:34:54.668]Batool fiercely advocates for diverse perspectives on campus
[00:34:58.770]through several advocacy based discussions, panels,
[00:35:02.490]and dialogues speeching leaders across campus,
[00:35:05.980]Batool has also illustrated her strong scholarship
[00:35:08.830]through her academic success and recently being named
[00:35:12.210]an honorable mention for the UNL chancellors
[00:35:14.970]fulfilling the Dream Award
[00:35:16.990]and winning the Student Luminary Award
[00:35:19.500]for the 2020/2021 academic year,
[00:35:23.600]of her passion and drive one campus leader noted Batool
[00:35:27.590]as a natural leader and an excellent servant leader,
[00:35:31.990]additionally, Batool's advocacy has earned her the esteem
[00:35:35.600]of several campus members and leaders,
[00:35:38.340]one noted, "I witnessed firsthand Batool's advocacy
[00:35:42.297]"for black students in her championing of inclusion,
[00:35:46.377]"diversity and equity across campus life,
[00:35:49.957]"Batool never wavered from her intention
[00:35:52.307]"to be a positive change agent on campus,
[00:35:55.837]"she understands her limits and works collaboratively
[00:35:58.757]"through strategic partnerships, and with allies."
[00:36:03.040]Please join me in congratulating Batool Ibrahim
[00:36:06.450]as the recipient of the Promising Undergraduate Leader
[00:36:09.350]for the 2020/2021 academic year, congrats Batool.
[00:36:16.380]Thank you so much Roni for all the kind words,
[00:36:22.870]as I begin writing the speech for today,
[00:36:25.340]I started to think about what this award means to me
[00:36:28.980]and under what conditions I have been in to become
[00:36:31.560]the recipient of the Promising Undergraduate Award,
[00:36:34.370]what does it mean to me to be black
[00:36:36.110]and woman in Lincoln, Nebraska,
[00:36:37.850]and at the University of Nebraska Lincoln,
[00:36:40.500]this past year I had the tremendous honor
[00:36:42.890]of serving as the president of the black student union,
[00:36:45.670]I've grown years beyond my time in this role,
[00:36:48.490]I have learned what advocacy and true leadership means,
[00:36:52.460]the summer of 2020 as a black student,
[00:36:54.960]I saw my community grieving in a pandemic
[00:36:57.450]that has taken more from black people
[00:36:59.120]than it has in any other community,
[00:37:01.430]I saw Ahmaud Arbery, a black man shot in the streets,
[00:37:04.610]I saw George Floyd call out for his mother as he died,
[00:37:08.140]I heard about Breonna Taylor,
[00:37:09.800]murdered while asleep in her home,
[00:37:12.980]I heard about Tony McClard,
[00:37:14.710]a trans man dying in police custody,
[00:37:17.760]and I heard of the death of Toyon Salo,
[00:37:19.880]a black woman who reminded me so much of myself die
[00:37:23.560]after the verdict that came out today,
[00:37:25.250]I'm reminded how important it is for us
[00:37:27.690]to say the names of the people who have died,
[00:37:30.460]this year has forced me as a black student,
[00:37:32.844]as a black woman,
[00:37:34.220]as the president of the black student union,
[00:37:36.730]to understand systems, to push for change,
[00:37:39.920]to no longer have conversations about change,
[00:37:43.770]to not take no as an answer,
[00:37:46.280]but to try and to truly push and be an agent of action,
[00:37:51.360]I can not accept this award, I can not speak to my success
[00:37:55.350]without voicing the various leaders
[00:37:57.510]I've had the privilege of working beside,
[00:38:00.160]Ayanor, Alicia Johnson, Michael Sanders, Mary Ibrahim,
[00:38:05.640]Damien Nashutu, Servans and Rosemary,
[00:38:09.960]the members of the black student union,
[00:38:12.090]the members of this organization
[00:38:13.940]who have constantly reminded me of the importance
[00:38:16.650]of thinking and uplifting my community
[00:38:19.110]and every action that I take, and every initiative
[00:38:23.060]in every conversation,
[00:38:24.800]these students are the ones who have reminded me
[00:38:26.850]of my strength when the work was detrimental,
[00:38:30.240]the black student union is how I have funneled change
[00:38:33.070]this past year, this year also reminds me
[00:38:36.110]of the importance of black joy and black rest,
[00:38:39.370]my mentors who I've had the honor of learning from,
[00:38:42.270]and my nominators Doctor Lori Dance, and Doctor Janet Jones
[00:38:46.400]have reminded me in every single conversation this year,
[00:38:49.870]how important it is for me to rest,
[00:38:52.550]to rejoice in black excellence, and to reallocate my energy
[00:38:56.560]to those I aim to serve,
[00:38:58.510]is with them that I understand that I was enough,
[00:39:02.460]that the things I was going through were true and valid,
[00:39:08.460]thank you so much for believing in me,
[00:39:10.750]and seeing me, and hearing me, and most importantly
[00:39:15.020]giving me the opportunity,
[00:39:17.850]black joy has been at the center
[00:39:19.390]of my leadership since then,
[00:39:21.250]black joy is celebrating this award
[00:39:23.050]with the profound professors, students,
[00:39:24.757]and faculty of this university tonight,
[00:39:27.490]black joy is celebrating black leadership,
[00:39:30.510]thank you so much to the office of diversity and inclusion
[00:39:32.850]for always seeing me, for always being a resource,
[00:39:35.410]and thank you so much for giving me this award.
[00:39:47.250]Congratulations again to Batool Ibrahim
[00:39:50.730]on being the recipient
[00:39:51.810]of our Promising Undergraduate Student Leader Award,
[00:39:55.970]if you're familiar with Batool,
[00:39:57.430]if you're familiar with Doctor Bondi
[00:39:59.080]in Nebraska, as far as you know,
[00:40:00.100]this is probably the first of many awards
[00:40:01.980]that they may receive during their time
[00:40:03.810]at University of Nebraska Lincoln and beyond,
[00:40:06.570]our next award, the Promising Graduate Student Leader Award
[00:40:10.260]will be presented by Mark Selzer,
[00:40:11.980]diversity and inclusion chair, graduate student assembly.
[00:40:17.430]Thank you Doctor Friday,
[00:40:18.980]hello, I'm Mark Selzer,
[00:40:20.780]diversity and inclusion chair, Graduate Student Assembly,
[00:40:25.390]on behalf of GSA, it gives me great pleasure
[00:40:28.890]to announce the winner of the inaugural
[00:40:31.290]Promising Graduate Student Leader Award,
[00:40:34.258]this award designed to highlight
[00:40:36.650]the outstanding contribution to diversity,
[00:40:39.150]equity and inclusion by graduate
[00:40:42.100]and professional student leaders
[00:40:44.040]at the University of Nebraska Lincoln
[00:40:46.890]represents the transformative and impactful work
[00:40:49.480]initiated by student leaders here at UNL, this year's winner
[00:40:55.390]of the Promising Graduate Student Leader Award
[00:40:58.150]is Brooke Wells,
[00:40:59.740]a graduate student for Agricultural Leadership Education
[00:41:03.900]and Communication, ALEC,
[00:41:06.170]and the research lead
[00:41:07.560]for Rural Prosperity Nebraska, Rural Fellows,
[00:41:12.350]as the research lead for the Rural Fellows program,
[00:41:15.920]Brooke assists in the development
[00:41:17.810]of a strong research process, utilizing program participants
[00:41:21.930]to understand the development process
[00:41:24.690]of students and community leaders,
[00:41:27.067]and inclusive leadership capacity,
[00:41:30.143]through her time with the fellows, she has taken the vision
[00:41:34.330]and ideas of the organization leaders
[00:41:36.980]to create a solid structure that allows the expansion
[00:41:40.810]and continuation of research,
[00:41:42.900]that is true evidence of her diligence and passion
[00:41:46.720]in advancing research and equity,
[00:41:49.140]inclusive and diversity issues,
[00:41:52.750]as the current ALEC graduate student advisory
[00:41:55.440]board president, she serves as a fierce advocate
[00:41:58.780]for full and part-time students,
[00:42:01.870]understanding the part-time students have access
[00:42:04.720]to fewer departmental resources as they work to earn
[00:42:08.380]their graduate degrees,
[00:42:10.514]as an administrator
[00:42:12.000]for the Intercultural Development Inventory, IDI,
[00:42:16.070]she has completed over 100 consultations,
[00:42:19.690]working with people one-on-one to help promote
[00:42:22.080]intercultural competence development
[00:42:24.490]and intercultural awareness,
[00:42:26.770]this work assisted in the creation of a new digital badge
[00:42:30.750]to be offered by the college of agricultural sciences
[00:42:33.910]and natural resources for its graduate student population.
[00:42:39.070]Speaking on Brooke's contribution to inclusive leadership,
[00:42:43.010]her mentors and campus leaders said,
[00:42:43.869]diversity and inclusion are at the center of her work,
[00:42:49.980]and that she demonstrates a passion for creating a diverse
[00:42:53.500]and inclusive UNL community.
[00:42:57.030]Please join me in congratulating Brooke Wells
[00:43:00.390]as the recipient
[00:43:01.310]of the Promising Graduate Student Leader Award
[00:43:03.980]for the 2020 to 2021 academic year (claps hands).
[00:43:12.445]Thank you Mark for that really kind introduction,
[00:43:16.100]it means so much not only to be a recipient
[00:43:19.070]of a Diversity Equity and Inclusion Impact Award
[00:43:21.980]but to also been nominated in the first place
[00:43:24.120]alongside other graduate students
[00:43:25.770]who I imagine, and I know are doing great work on campus.
[00:43:29.660]Thank you to the office
[00:43:30.660]of diversity and inclusion for nominating me
[00:43:33.010]to be this year's promising graduate student leader,
[00:43:35.870]and for creating such important awards.
[00:43:39.190]When I first became a graduate student at UNL two years ago,
[00:43:42.340]I had a very limited knowledge of the concept in language
[00:43:45.210]surrounding diversity and inclusion work,
[00:43:47.670]however, I was passionate about creating spaces
[00:43:50.300]to include those who might not get a seat at the table,
[00:43:53.250]there various opportunities in the past two years,
[00:43:55.740]I've grown in my knowledge
[00:43:57.110]and worked with diversity and inclusion
[00:43:59.570]that I'm so proud to be named
[00:44:01.510]a promising graduate student leader,
[00:44:03.810]instead of only talking about myself for five minutes
[00:44:06.320]I wanted to share some of the diversity and inclusion work
[00:44:08.970]that I have been a part of as a graduate student
[00:44:11.450]that I hope some of you may be a part of one day.
[00:44:14.500]As a graduate assistant, I get the opportunity to lead
[00:44:17.050]the inclusive leadership research associated
[00:44:19.030]with the Rural Fellows program,
[00:44:20.670]and elevated internship experience
[00:44:22.590]where our team at Rural prosperity Nebraska
[00:44:25.490]pairs rural Nebraska community leaders
[00:44:27.650]with collegiate students who live, work,
[00:44:29.750]and serve in those rural communities for the summer,
[00:44:32.380]during this program the participants go through
[00:44:34.350]inclusive leadership development training
[00:44:36.250]where our team teaches them
[00:44:37.500]about diversity and inclusion
[00:44:39.200]and how to create more inclusive teams,
[00:44:41.060]workplaces and communities.
[00:44:43.150]Last summer pushed me to think deeply
[00:44:44.990]when I had conversations with the participants
[00:44:47.220]surrounding intercultural competence,
[00:44:49.450]and there were so many people who are struggling
[00:44:51.560]with social and racial justice or the lack of justice
[00:44:54.530]we were seeing across our nation,
[00:44:56.360]those conversations aren't easy,
[00:44:58.400]but I was happy to be able to be in a position
[00:45:00.530]where I could help people navigate those heavy conversations
[00:45:03.510]about diversity and the much needed inclusion,
[00:45:06.410]I know 2021 will not be any easier,
[00:45:09.070]but I'm ready and willing to have those conversations again
[00:45:11.660]about how black lives matter
[00:45:12.990]and the violence against Asian Americans
[00:45:15.110]and all the other changing situations that rural communities
[00:45:18.310]are facing right now,
[00:45:19.830]the impact this program has on communities and students
[00:45:22.380]has inspired me so much to push to create spaces
[00:45:25.750]where everyone can be included and feel as though
[00:45:28.300]they not only belong, but are able to showcase
[00:45:30.520]their strengths and uniqueness in ways that nobody else
[00:45:33.210]can bring to the table.
[00:45:34.900]I want to thank doctors Fagan and (indistinct)
[00:45:37.930]as well as Samantha Gunther and Jordan Ross Mucin
[00:45:40.240]so much for being a part of the rural fellows team
[00:45:42.870]and welcoming me to bring my perspective
[00:45:45.590]and allowing me to research inclusive leadership.
[00:45:48.260]When I first joined the Rural Fellows team,
[00:45:50.140]our inclusive leadership research was just an idea,
[00:45:53.040]I had the pleasure in leading the research design,
[00:45:55.500]data collection and analysis plan,
[00:45:57.640]we are making great progress and we're getting ready
[00:45:59.740]for our second round of data collection this summer,
[00:46:02.350]along the way, I played a large role
[00:46:04.230]in writing a literature review on "Inclusive Leadership"
[00:46:07.030]which was recently accepted to an academic journal,
[00:46:09.950]I hope my involvement in this work
[00:46:11.440]will help others learn more
[00:46:12.760]about what leading with a core value
[00:46:14.346]of inclusion can look like in academia,
[00:46:16.930]workplaces, and communities.
[00:46:18.810]I can not give enough appreciation for the other members
[00:46:21.700]on this research team, Doctors, Fagan, Matt, Ken and Pearson
[00:46:24.990]as well as Samantha Gunther and (indistinct),
[00:46:27.800]you make navigating quantitative research well worth it.
[00:46:31.970]Outside of my assistantship, it is a great joy
[00:46:34.130]that I get to be a student
[00:46:35.250]where I get to study leadership education
[00:46:37.510]with so many intelligent peers, faculty and staff
[00:46:40.480]who make me feel so included in classes and the department,
[00:46:44.000]I'm so sure so many of us who are involved in diversity,
[00:46:47.440]equity and inclusion work can agree
[00:46:49.390]that it's not always easy,
[00:46:50.810]but having an advisor like Doctor McElravy,
[00:46:53.020]who's also involved in diversity and inclusion work
[00:46:55.870]elsewhere on campus does make it easier,
[00:46:58.550]as I continue to develop as a leader,
[00:47:00.520]I know it's because I'm surrounded
[00:47:01.860]by so many outstanding leaders in my department.
[00:47:05.560]The last work that I wanna highlight in my acceptance speech
[00:47:08.250]is the inclusive excellence digital badge
[00:47:10.360]that is currently being developed
[00:47:11.740]and expected to launch this spring,
[00:47:13.690]through my role on the IANR,
[00:47:15.153]and the Kasner graduate student committee
[00:47:17.600]I've been able to work
[00:47:18.433]with doctors Berkey and Kasbalm
[00:47:20.290]as well as Mankester and Ashley Stangle
[00:47:22.410]on creating a digital badge
[00:47:24.010]that will allow graduate students and others
[00:47:26.058]to learn about diversity inclusion,
[00:47:28.080]what makes themselves so unique,
[00:47:30.290]and how they can create an environment
[00:47:31.800]of inclusive excellence and much more,
[00:47:34.220]I encourage anyone who is able to follow along with Kasner
[00:47:37.395]enroll in this digital badge when it's launched.
[00:47:40.350]So far I've mentioned more than 10 people,
[00:47:42.387]and it certainly feels like a lot,
[00:47:44.273]but not enough at the same time,
[00:47:46.260]but I hope that if any one of you get a chance
[00:47:48.500]to meet those people,
[00:47:49.860]I really hope you get to work with them as well,
[00:47:52.240]not only have they made me feel as though I belong at UNL
[00:47:55.440]or in conversations about diversity inclusion,
[00:47:57.960]but they also bring so much to the table
[00:47:59.900]that you too will grow tremendously as a leader,
[00:48:02.900]I know this because that's what I've done,
[00:48:06.110]I want to once again thank doctors Fagan,
[00:48:08.410]McElravy and Berky,
[00:48:09.700]for nominating and writing letters of support for me
[00:48:12.230]as this year's promising graduate student leader,
[00:48:14.820]it means so much to me,
[00:48:16.530]I also want to thank my husband, Connor,
[00:48:19.120]who moved to different state
[00:48:20.650]so I could attend graduate school,
[00:48:22.250]he tirelessly listens to me talk every single day
[00:48:26.000]about the Rural Fellows program,
[00:48:27.880]inclusive leadership in my classes,
[00:48:29.910]even though he only knows
[00:48:31.269]half of what I'm saying at the time,
[00:48:34.050]thank you so much.
[00:48:35.270]I look forward to seeing
[00:48:36.260]who next year's award winner will be.
[00:48:43.690]Congratulations again to Brooke Wells
[00:48:45.380]on being the recipient
[00:48:46.860]of our Promising Graduate Student Leader Award,
[00:48:49.880]and thank you to all our participants and the recipients.
[00:48:53.590]This now wraps up recipient portion of our program,
[00:48:57.520]and we will now close
[00:48:58.750]with our vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion,
[00:49:01.650]Doctor Marco Barker.
[00:49:07.670]Thank you Doctor Friday.
[00:49:10.230]So once again, congratulations to all of our recipients,
[00:49:15.870]certainly we heard throughout today's event
[00:49:20.100]topics around inclusion, impact, advocacy, creating spaces,
[00:49:25.910]hearing voices, having joy, making connections,
[00:49:30.270]fighting for justice, standing together,
[00:49:33.440]I certainly look forward to when I am able to congratulate
[00:49:36.700]and thank all the recipients in person,
[00:49:39.790]thank you to our attendees
[00:49:41.010]who were part of tonight's experience,
[00:49:42.861]and certainly thank you to our presenters,
[00:49:45.390]Chancellor Green, Nicole, Rinelle, Mark and Roni,
[00:49:50.140]a resounding virtual applause to Doctor Nkenge Friday
[00:49:53.690]for her work in organizing tonight's awards,
[00:49:56.690]I know that she has been committed
[00:49:58.920]to being able to see this done,
[00:50:00.080]and so we appreciate her efforts in this regard.
[00:50:04.010]In the spirit of impact, there are a few things
[00:50:06.940]that I ask of you,
[00:50:09.020]one of those, if you have not already
[00:50:11.730]find ways to contribute and make your own impact,
[00:50:15.560]whether that's through our office,
[00:50:16.890]and certainly we have highlighted a number of opportunities
[00:50:19.640]that are listed here, from my host (indistinct),
[00:50:22.900]to the include learning community,
[00:50:24.940]our inclusive leadership and learning webinar series
[00:50:27.450]whether you attend one
[00:50:28.710]or one to facilitate one of those sessions, and dish it up
[00:50:32.670]that's hosted by our office
[00:50:34.150]of academic success and intercultural services
[00:50:37.370]that certainly provides a space for conversations
[00:50:39.830]on today's emerging issues.
[00:50:43.150]You can also stay up to date with us
[00:50:45.030]either through social media
[00:50:46.280]or through our communications, newsletter and website,
[00:50:51.210]there are also a number of programs across our institution
[00:50:54.560]whether it's AFIRE that was discussed earlier today
[00:50:58.000]or (indistinct) format of teaching,
[00:51:00.590]or the Institute for Ethnic Studies,
[00:51:02.830]or even ASUN programs, and many events that departments
[00:51:06.730]and other student organizations
[00:51:09.390]that focus on diversity, equity inclusion are hosting,
[00:51:12.880]or who already support marginalized
[00:51:15.360]and minoritized communities, there are so many ways
[00:51:17.930]for you to be involved.
[00:51:19.970]We also ask that you complete the survey
[00:51:22.450]and provide us with feedback so that we can continue
[00:51:24.570]to have an impact that is effective
[00:51:26.780]and responsive to communities.
[00:51:30.110]And then lastly, please do reach out to our office
[00:51:32.910]and contact us,
[00:51:34.090]if you have ideas for future opportunities or programs,
[00:51:38.180]we're always looking for feedback
[00:51:40.670]from our campus constituents and stakeholders.
[00:51:44.230]Again, thank you and have a good night,
[00:51:46.890]congratulations everyone.

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Nebraksa DEI Impact Award Ceremony

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