Past #NCLUDE Learning Groups

The concept of “dignity” is reflected in the N2025 "ethos" and "overarching principle" "every person and every interaction matters". It's a foundational concept in human rights, justice, civil society, community and interpersonal relations, organizational culture, and individual well-being. Yet, dignity as a universal idea and value often seems intangible. We'll read Dignity: Its essential role in resolving conflict, by psychologist and international conflict resolution expert Donna Hicks, and dive into the concept of dignity, how it shows up, and its role and potential as an integral element of workplace and campus culture. Hicks unpacks dignity into tangible components, providing a useful lens and tool for self-reflection and strengthening our professional and personal communities.

Location: Nebraska Union

Meeting Dates: Thursday, 12-1 PM (9/5, 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Members

Co-Sponsored by the Center for Transformative Teaching

This #NCLUDE group will focus on ethics of working toward change in our local communities. This semester we'll focus on homelessness and its impact on our Lincoln community. In addition to our small group meetings, we'll have two hands-on experiences to grow our understanding of our role in change and impact we can each have. We'll each focus on building a personal action plan to guide our personal efforts to ethically engage in work that strengthens our community.

Location: Nebraska Union. To note, September 12 from 10 to 11AM in Nebraska Union. October 16 from 9 to 3PM at the Pinnacle Bank Arena as a volunteer project. When we meet as a group will see what time frame works for everyone to help on that day. November 14 from 9 to 12PM at the Center for People. The 9 to 10AM will be us learning about the Center and then the 10 to 12PM will be us volunteering. If people can only commit to 1-2 hours volunteering that is okay.

Meeting Dates: Thursday, 10-11 AM and two immersive experiences (9/12, 9/26, 10/10, 10/16, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21, 12/5)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Members who teach or help students develop themselves

Co-Sponsored by Student Affairs

Join our learning group that will encourage you to “Come out from behind yourself, into a conversation and make it real”. The group will tackle challenging topics, give you time to reflect, create space to examine bias, and engage on topics that are uncomfortable, hard, and necessary. By dialoguing and reflecting, you will enrich your perspectives, test your beliefs, share your lived experiences and develop a growth mindset. We invite you to join Uncomfortable, Hard and Necessary Conversations.

Location: Nebraska Union

Meeting Dates: Tuesday, 3-4:30 PM (9/10, 9/24, 10/8, 10/22, 11/5, 11/19)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Members

Co-Sponsored by Diversity and Inclusion

Throughout this election season, this #NCLUDE group will get curious about engaging across political views. “Avoiding one another is hurting our relationships and our society,” and “We think we have the answers, but we need to be asking a lot more questions.” Our group will read Mónica Guzmán’s book “I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times” and listen to Guzmán’s podcast “A Braver Way.” Drawing from cross-partisan conversations she’s had, organized, or witnessed, Guzmán’s guidance will help you find “the answers you need by talking with people—rather than about them—and asking the questions you want, curiously.”

Location: Knoll Hall Residential Center

Meeting Dates: Tuesday, 4-5 PM (9/3 or 9/10, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Members

Co-Sponsored by University Honors Program and Communication Studies

Join us for an engaging group discussion on Audre Lorde's "Sister Outsider," a powerful collection of essays and speeches that explore the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, and class. This seminal work challenges societal norms and provides a compelling voice for marginalized communities. Discover how Lorde's insights on intersectionality, identity, and activism remain profoundly relevant today. Don't miss the chance to delve into Lorde's transformative ideas and share your perspectives on social justice and community empowerment.

Location: Nebraska Union

Meeting Dates: Friday, 3-4pm, (9/13, 9/27, 10/11, 10/25, 11/15, 11/22)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, & Community Members

Learning experiences often benefit certain types of students, such as those who are temporarily able-bodied and neurotypical, while disadvantaging others, particularly students with disabilities. Universal design for learning strives to create learning environments where all students have equal opportunities to learn and be successful. This #NCLUDE group will explore what universal design is, the ways universal design can benefit all students, and strategies for implementing universal design practices at the micro- and macro-levels. We will provide a positive community around disability as we explore inclusive strategies for all learners.

Location: Zoom

Meeting Dates: Thursday, 12:30-1:30 PM (9/5, 9/19, 10/3, 10/17, 10/31, 11/14)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Members

Co-Sponsored by the Center for Transformative Teaching

This #NCLUDE group will read and discuss stories of people with disabilities. In this process, we will learn more about disabilities and discuss how, as Alice Wong says, "disability is not a monolith, nor is it a clear-cut binary of disabled and nondisabled. Disability is both apparent and nonapparent. Disability is pain, struggle, brilliance, abundance, and joy. Disability is sociopolitical, cultural, and biological. Being visible and claiming a disabled identity brings risks as much as it brings joy." At the end, we may realize that there are many more possibilities to who we are, where we are and what we do.

Location: Filley Hall

Meeting Dates: Tuesday, 4-5 PM (9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12)

Open to: Faculty, staff, students, & Community Partners

Do not obey in advance. Defend institutions. Take responsibility for the face of the world. Stand out. Practice corporeal politics. Be calm when the unthinkable arrives. These are just a few of the actionable lessons distilled by Yale historian Timothy Snyder from thousands of firsthand accounts of Eastern European dissidents resisting totalitarian regimes. The resulting book, On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, will be the foundational text for this new Fall 2024 #NCLUDE group. Join us to discover the everyday ways that ordinary people stood up against systemic oppression in some of the darkest moments of modern history, discuss what we can learn from their examples, and decide how to put this learning into daily action.

Location: Zoom

Meeting Dates: Tuesday, 4-5 PM (9/10, 9/24, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Members

Co-Sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences

This #NCLUDE learning group will use libraries, archives, and information resources to understand the role of systemic racism in our information structures. We will discuss how these structures came to be and who benefits from these norms. We will learn about how systemic racism impacts the way we structure information and what information is accessible. We will also identify ways we can interrupt and interrogate information structures to create more inclusive and equitable information access and ecosystems.

Location: Love Library South

Meeting Dates: Tuesday, 3:30 PM (9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 11/5, 11/19)

Open to: Libraries faculty and staff

We will explore the diverse needs and challenges faced by International Teaching Assistants (ITAs). The primary goal of this #NCLUDE learning community is to provide a supportive community circle that addresses the relevant challenges. That is, as a community we will explore the complexities of cultural differences in academia, what it means to practically foster a sense of belonging, and nurture personal and professional growth as educators. We will adopt the assumption that in addition to the academic responsibilities, ITAs often navigate language barriers, cultural adjustments, and differing academic norms and will create a safe space to share these experiences and discuss strategies for overcoming such relevant difficulties - the aim is to support ITAs to excel in their roles as educators through discussions of shared experiences.

Location: Nebraska Union

Meeting Dates: Monday: 12-1pm (9/9/, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18)

Open to: International TA (undergraduate, graduate, postdocs), International faculty and graduate students, and those who want to offer support.

This group provides an inclusive environment for sharing experiences and strategies to support international students as we navigate life in a new country and prepare for a career. Through weekly sessions, participants will explore topics like navigating cultural differences and untimatlely focus on how students can prepare for global career opportunities.

Location: Nebraska Union

Meeting Dates: Friday, 1-2 PM (9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11)

Open to: International students (undergraduate and graduate), postdocs, faculty, staff, community members. All are welcome.

This #NCLUDE group integrates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into AI through ethical innovation. We address biases, promote fair representation, and develop inclusive models. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we create transparent, accountable AI systems beneficial to all, especially marginalized groups. Through research, policy, and community engagement, we ensure AI technologies advance equitably, reflecting society's diverse needs.

Location: East Campus Union

Meeting Dates: Tuesdays, 3-4 PM (09/10, 09/24, 10/08, 10/29, 11/5, 11/19)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Members who teach or help students develop themselves

Community can be defined as a network of social connections that foster a sense of belonging, identity, and support. Community is important for our physical & mental health, as it can reduce stress and isolation, and promote well-being. Through this #NCLUDE group, we will identify tangible ways to join new communities and strengthen current ones.

Location: Nebraska Union

Meeting Dates: Wednesday, 4-5 PM (9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/06, 11/20)

Open to: Faculty and Staff

Co-Sponsored by Student Affairs

The title of UNL professor Thomas Gannon’s 2023 memoir, Birding While Indian: A Mixed-Blood Memoir, hints at just some of its many layers, topics, and constructive provocations. An “expansive, hilarious, and humane memoir” authored by “an acerbic observer,” the book uses birds and birding to weave together Gannon’s childhood on the Great Plains, Indian boarding school and public schools, higher education, the natural environment, the voices of Native American and Anglo-European literature, and a lifetime of intercultural experiences. It will engage many readers and interests, provoke a variety of discussion topics, and touch and educate all of us. Through it all, we’ll reflect on the complexities and collisions of identity, and how we can be more thoughtful, inclusive individuals, co-workers, and campus community builders.

Location: Nebraska Union

Meeting Dates: Monday, 12-1 PM (9/9, 9/23, 10/7, 10/21, 11/04, 11/18)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, and community partners

Co-sponsored by the Center for Transformative Teaching

This #NCLUDE group will focus on studying articles about women faculty in higher education, stemming from the pressing need to address the challenges they face in academia, such as barriers to career advancement and gender-related biases. By delving into scholarly articles, we aim to deepen our understanding of these issues and collaboratively explore strategies for positive change. We strongly encourage the participation of all faculty members, with a special call to our male colleagues to join as allies in this endeavor.

Location: Zoom

Meeting Dates: Wednesday, 12-1 PM (9/11, 9/25, 10/9, 10/23, 11/06, 11/20)

Open to: Faculty

Co-Sponsored by the College of Engineering

This #NCLUDE small group is for anyone who wants to grow their cultural competence. For some, not knowing how to engage in culturally sensitive conversations prevents them from opening the door to building deeper relationships. Using Vernā Myers’ book, What if I Say the Wrong Thing? 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People, group members will read and reflect on different scenarios to help build understanding and confidence.

Location: Memorial Stadium

Meeting Dates: Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 PM (9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12 and 11/26)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, & Community Members

This #NCLUDE group will focus on mental health in higher education. This group will not only discuss the struggles that students face with mental health but also dive into how this affects faculty and staff in higher education. We will discuss articles from different resources and listen to a podcast that dives into redefining mental health with students. This group is open to faculty and staff.

Location: Kiewit Hall OR Zoom

Meeting Dates: Thursday, 12-1 PM (9/17, 9/26, 10/17, 10/24, 11/07, 11/21)

Open to: Faculty and Staff

As the workplace landscape transforms, so do the expectations, motivations, and communication styles of different generations. This NCLUDE session is designed exclusively for supervisors and managers seeking to enhance their leadership skills in a multigenerational workplace, especially with Millennials and Generation Z. Shift from "generational shaming" to actionable strategies that can be implemented in your day-to-day leadership role, fostering a more collaborative and productive workplace. 

Location: Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall

Meeting Dates: Thursday, 11-12 PM,

Open to: Supervisors/Managers; Priority for Student Affairs division

Co-Sponsored by Student Affairs

Inclusive excellence requires leading with empathy and vulnerability, fostering a culture where everyone feels valued and heard, and tackling difficult conversations and situations. The target audience for this group is supervisors and managers who want to improve their connection and communication with staff members. We will read "Dare to Lead" by Brene Brown and challenge each other to grow our ability to lead people.

Location: Zoom

Meeting Dates: Wednesdays, 8:30-9:30 AM, (9/4, 9/18, 10/02, 10/16, 116, 11/20)

Open to: Supervisors/Managers

Co-Sponsored by Human Resources and Explore Center

This group will address Antisemitism and Islamophobia on university campuses, and how we can improve our campus. We will reflect on institutional context, and experiences of students, faculty, staff, and people off campus over the last year, while comparing the current environment with some historical examples of Antisemitism and Islamophobia on university campuses. Our goal is to help ourselves, our colleagues, our students, and ultimately our institution navigate the critical situation while creating a context of safety and success for all.

Location: Nebraska Union

Meeting Dates: Wednesday, 1-2 PM (9/4, 9/18, 10/2, 10/16, 10/30, 11/13)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Members who teach or help students develop themselves

This NCLUDE group will explore the complexities of international travel through the lens of Anu Taranath's book, "Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World." Taranath’s book confronts the uncomfortable realities that often accompany travel abroad—issues of privilege, cultural misunderstanding, and the challenges of navigating differences in race and culture. Taranath encourages us to unpack our own biases and preconceptions, inviting us to reflect on who we are, where we come from, and how our backgrounds shape our interactions with others.

Location: Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall

Meeting Dates: Thursday, 10-11 AM (9/12, 9/26, 10/10, 10/24, 11/14, 11/21)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Members

We all have a culture that informs who we are and how we view the world. This NCLUDE group will focus on culture - what divides and what unites. We will examine culture through a lens of food, music and art. Exploring cultures will help us to reflect and grow as individuals.

Location: Zoom and Panhandle Research Extension & Education Center, Leverton 115, and County Extension Offices

Meeting Dates: Mondays, 4 - 5pm CST; 3 - 4 MST (9/9, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21)

Open to: Faculty and Staff in Nebraska Extension

“What does diversity do? What are we doing when we use the language of diversity?” These questions are explored in Sara Ahmed’s text, On Being Included: Racism and Diversity in Institutional Life. Through interviews with diversity workers at universities in the UK and Australia, Ahmed highlights the paradox of diversity in institutional life: commitments to diversity often replace the work of actually making the changes such a commitment demands. When trying to make change, diversity workers often describe themselves as hitting a “brick wall.” Join us to think more about the problems that arise “when diversity is offered as a solution” and our own experiences with brick walls.

Location:  Nebraska Union + Nebraska Wesleyan University, then hybrid (Zoom) after first two in-person sessions (one on each campus)

Meeting Dates: Friday, 1-2 PM (9/6 at UNL, 9/20 at NWU, 10/4, 10/18, 11/1, 11/15)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Students, and Community Members

True inclusiveness and acceptance of diversity require us to address the inner beliefs about ourselves and others. Without respecting and accepting ourselves, we often struggle to respect and accept others. Are you struggling with self-doubt, underestimating your talents, battling imposter syndrome, or letting fear hold you back? Are you prioritizing pleasing others over being true to yourself, or feeling tired of what self-doubt has cost you? This study group is for you..! We'll read Jamie’s book, “Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life,” It guides us in exploring our beliefs, which is crucial for identifying and overcoming biases and prejudices. By fostering feelings of worthiness and building self-esteem we can create environments that support diversity.

Location: Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall or Teacher College Hall Room

Meeting Dates: Friday, 1015-1115 AM (9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18)

Open to: Faculty, Staff, Graduate Students, and Spouse of F1 Visa holder UNL Graduate Students

Co-Sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences