Content
#NCLUDE offers individuals who desire to grow their knowledge, skills, and awareness in a particular area an environment of care, commitment, and accountability. Learning groups co-create a space for students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members to engage in dynamic dialogue, reflection, and offer support to one another.
Joining an #NCLUDE group
Look
#NCLUDE is designed so that groups can address a wide variety of topics that fit into one or more of the following categories:
- Elevate knowledge and awareness about diverse perspectives and shared experiences that shape our community
- Enhance skills for pursuing building community and environments that promote a sense of belonging and mutual respect; and
- Develop support networks or skills for navigating institutional structures that may impose barriers to building community and belonging
Look at small group descriptions carefully as some groups have an intended audience (I.e., instructors, supervisors, etc.).
Add to Calendar
Check meeting dates and times as group members are expected to attend all scheduled meetings. Add these dates to your calendar.
Register
Complete registration form indicating your intentions for participating, group preferences, and accommodations.
Fall 2026 NCLUDE Groups
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
In these NCLUDE learning group, we will dive deep into Patrick Lencioni’s classic framework from *The Five Dysfunctions of a Team* to explore what truly drives high-performing, cohesive groups across our campus community. Together, we will examine how building vulnerability-based trust creates the psychological safety needed for open communication, and we will discuss practical ways to engage in healthy, idea-driven debate rather than shying away from productive conflict. Through collaborative dialogue, we will explore strategies for securing genuine commitment around shared goals, establishing peer-to-peer accountability, and shifting our focus from individual or departmental silos toward collective success.
Whether you lead a team, contribute as a team member, or simply want to strengthen your working relationships, this group provides an open, supportive space for self-reflection and shared growth. In this NCLUDE group, we will connect with colleagues from across campus to exchange real-world insights, reflect on our own team dynamics, and walk away with actionable tools you can immediately apply to foster a more trust-filled and effective workplace environment.
Group 1: Five Dysfunctions hosted by Nancy Re
Location: Via Zoom
Meeting Time: 11:00 am -12:00 pm CST
Meeting Dates: 9/11 (Intro) 9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13
Open to: Faculty and Staff
Group 2: Five Dysfunctions hosted by Becky Carter
Location:
Meeting Time:
Meeting Dates:
Open to: Faculty and Staff
Group 3 Five Dysfunction hosted by Jaci Gustafson
Location: Love Library South 224
Meeting Time: 8:30am-9:30am CST
Meeting Dates: 9/14, 9/28, 10/12, 10/26, 11/9, 11/23
Open to: Undergraduate Student, Graduate Student, Post-Doctorate, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Community Member
Group 4: Five Dysfunction hosted by Vicki Highstreet
Location: Nebraska Union, Unity Room 212
Meeting Time: 9:30am-10:30am CST
Meeting Dates: 9/22, 9/29,10/6, 10/20,11/10, 11/17
Open to: Undergraduate Student, Graduate Student, Post-Doctorate, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Community Member
Group 5: Five Dysfunctions hosted by Jess Wagner
Location: CREC 056
Meeting Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm CST
Meeting Dates: 9/14, 9/28, 10/12, 10/26, 11/9, 11/23
Open to: Campus Recreation Employees
Group 6: Five Dysfunction hosted by Celeste Spier
Location: Via Zoom
Meeting Time: 11:00am-12:00pm CST
Meeting Dates: 9/15, 9/29, 10/13, 10/27, 11/10, 11/24
Open to: First-Time Supervisors
Group 10 Hedgehogs Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Location: Love Library South - 217 - Giesecke Board Room
Meeting Time: 10:00am-11:00am CST
Meeting Dates: 9/9, 9/23, 10/14, 10/28, 11/11
Open to: This group is currently reserved specifically for UNL Libraries Department Heads.
Additional NCLUDE Learning Groups
NCLUDE’s general learning groups offer supportive, highly interactive spaces—available in both virtual and in-person formats—for UNL faculty, staff, and students to build meaningful connections, cultivate well-being, and drive positive culture across campus. Through practical, research-grounded sessions, participants explore crucial workplace and personal growth topics in a collaborative setting. Full details regarding specific topics, meeting dates, and times can be found below.
Designed for all experience levels, these groups combine guided reflection, candid dialogue, and actionable tools you can apply immediately to your daily work and life. Whether you are looking to support colleagues, lead teams through transition, manage personal stress, or foster a more compassionate campus environment, these sessions provide a low-pressure space to reflect, share experiences, and learn alongside peers. Explore our upcoming offerings to find the right learning group for your professional and personal development journey.
Group 7 Of Many Minds: Neurodiversity and Mental Health Among University Faculty and Staff - Virtual
This Learning Group will engage with Of Many Minds, an essay collection that explores mental health and neurodivergence in the higher education workplace. This essay collection provides a platform for faculty and staff to share their stories and critically examine the culture of mental health in US higher education. Contributions normalize conversations about mental health and neurodiversity while offering insights to transform the academy into a more inclusive, supportive space. The essays combine personal accounts with actionable critiques, addressing topics like workplace stigma, ableism, and systemic barriers to seeking treatment. With contributions from a diverse group of educators and advocates, Of Many Minds challenges the status quo and fosters empathy for those living with neurodiversity in academia.
Whether you see your own experiences reflected in these stories or are seeking to better understand and support colleagues, students, and communities, this group is an opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and building community around this subject. Together, we aim to foster deeper empathy, expand our understanding of neurodiversity and mental health, and consider how we can contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive workplace culture.
Location: Via Zoom
Meeting Time: 1:00 pm -2:00 pm CST
Meeting Dates: 9/8, 9/22, 10/6, 10/20, 11/3, 11/17
Open to: University Libraries
Group 8: The Social Biome
The book "The Social Biome: How Everyday Communication Connects and Shapes Us" by Andy J. Merolla and Jeffrey A. Hall will be the foundation of this discussion group. Merolla & Hall offer a sympathetic, practical guide to our vital yet complicated social lives and propose realistic ways to embrace and enhance connection and hope. We will dive into the importance of daily communication and how we can harness its power to create a better life.
Merolla & Hall's extensive research will help us establish a new way to think about our relational life, addressing questions like: How does each moment of interaction shape not only our relationships but also our worldviews? And how can we create moments of connection that improve our health and well-being, particularly in a world in which people are feeling increasingly isolated?
The concepts of this book, paired with our group interactions, will bring the power of connection to life!
Location: JGMC 211
Meeting Time: 9:00 am -10:00 pm CST
Meeting Dates: 10/6, 10/20, 11/3, 11/17, 12/1, 12/15
Open to: Undergraduate Student, Graduate Student, Post-Doctorate, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Community Member
Group 9: Of Many Minds: Neurodiversity and Mental Health Among University Faculty and Staff - In-Person
This Learning Group will engage with Of Many Minds, an essay collection that explores mental health and neurodivergence in the higher education workplace. This essay collection provides a platform for faculty and staff to share their stories and critically examine the culture of mental health in US higher education. Contributions normalize conversations about mental health and neurodiversity while offering insights to transform the academy into a more inclusive, supportive space. The essays combine personal accounts with actionable critiques, addressing topics like workplace stigma, ableism, and systemic barriers to seeking treatment. With contributions from a diverse group of educators and advocates, Of Many Minds challenges the status quo and fosters empathy for those living with neurodiversity in academia.
Whether you see your own experiences reflected in these stories or are seeking to better understand and support colleagues, students, and communities, this group is an opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and building community around this subject. Together, we aim to foster deeper empathy, expand our understanding of neurodiversity and mental health, and consider how we can contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive workplace culture.
Location: Libraries TBD
Meeting Time: 2:30 pm -3:30 pm CST
Meeting Dates: 9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12
Open to: University Libraries Employees
Group 11 IEC
Information coming.
Group 12: The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn't
In this NCLUDE learning group, we will dive into Robert I. Sutton’s *The No Asshole Rule* to explore how we can build a more civilized, respectful workplace—and effectively navigate one when negative behaviors arise. Together, we will learn strategies to pinpoint and eliminate toxic influences for good while discovering practical, sanity-saving techniques for managing interactions with difficult colleagues. Through open dialogue and shared experiences, we will discuss how everyday behaviors impact team culture, psychological safety, and overall well-being across our campus community.
Whether you lead a team, work alongside colleagues, or want to strengthen workplace relationships, this group provides an inclusive, supportive space for self-reflection and candid conversation. In this NCLUDE group, we will also utilize a practical self-diagnostic tool and actionable strategies to help identify and keep our own "inner jerk" in check, ensuring we actively contribute to a positive, constructive environment. Connecting with peers across campus, you will walk away with real-world insights and personal tools to foster a culture of dignity and respect in your daily work.
Location: Via Zoom
Meeting Time: 9:30 am -10:30 am CST
Meeting Dates: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23
Open to: Post-Doctorate, Faculty, Staff
Group 13: Mindfulness Together: Pause. Breathe. Connect.
"I don't have time." "My mind won't quiet down." "I don't know where to start."
If these thoughts sound familiar, you're not alone. Between classes, research, work, and daily life at UNL, finding time to slow down can feel impossible.
This six-session introductory series is designed specifically for beginners. You don't need hours of free time, prior meditation experience, or a perfectly quiet mind.
What to Expect
- Practical Practices: Explore simple tools centered on the breath, body awareness, thoughts, emotions, and self-compassion.
- Real-World Integration: Learn easy ways to bring mindfulness into a busy schedule.
- A Supportive Space: Connect with UNL students, faculty, and staff in a welcoming, low-pressure environment
Note: This is not therapy or about forcing yourself to feel "perfectly calm." It's about building focus, resilience, and self-kindness—one moment at a time.
No experience needed. Just come as you are.
Mation: Via Zoom
Meeting Time: 9:00 am -10:00 am CST
Meeting Dates: 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9
Open to: Undergraduate Student, Graduate Student, Post-Doctorate, Faculty, Staff
Group 14: Our Iceberg is Melting
Change is a constant in higher education, yet people experience change in very different ways. Using John Kotter's leadership fable "Our Iceberg Is Melting", this learning group will explore why change can be difficult, how trust and communication shape our experiences, and what each of us can do to help individuals and teams navigate uncertainty. Participants will become familiar with and be able to utilize Kotter's 8 step change model as a result of this group.
Through guided discussion and reflection, participants will connect the lessons from the book to their own experiences at UNL.
Mation: Via Zoom
Meeting Time: 10:00 am -11:00 am CST
Meeting Dates: 9/4, 9/18, 10/9, 10/23
Open to: University Staff