Social Justice and Inclusion Council

The Social Justice and Inclusion Council was created in 2017 to address issues of diversity and inclusion at Nebraska Methodist College.

Develop processes and goals that include the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to create learning environments that foster equitable participation of all groups and seek to address issues of oppression, privilege, and power.

Chairs

Allison Kinney-Walker and Kiley Petersmith

Members

Melissa Kimmerling, Jillian Krumbach, Melissa Siedlik, Lisa Johnson, Whitney Robertson, Natalie Dowty, Tracy Ozzello, Harsha Sharma, Chris Hamilton, Liz Schooler, Sophie Feng, and Lori Shaw-Warren.

Nebraska Methodist College respects the dignity and inherent worth of all people. We value inclusion, diversity, equity, social justice and human rights. We accept the responsibility to educate individuals to foster cultural diversity and inclusivity in their professional practice. 

1. Conducts DEI survey annually for all students/faculty/staff
2. Facilitates trainings on Implicit Bias, microaggressions, and microresistance strategies for faculty/staff
3. Hosts events for Black History Month, Lunar New Year, Pride, Women's History Month etc
4. Hosts monthly open forums for faculty/staff to explore DEI topics.
5. Provides monthly educational materials on different diversity and inclusion topics, including food insecurity, racial and gender issues, respecting people with disabilities, and other social justice issues
6. Developed student Social Justice & Inclusion Facebook group and have hosted sustained dialogue conversations with student body.
7. Works collaboratively with the Methodist Health System, including participation in strategic and action planning for the health system.
8. Work collaboratively with NMC Faculty Senate Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) committee to address DEI within learning spaces.
9. Supports NMC's food pantry
10. Developed affinity groups for BIPOC students and LGBTQIA+ students.

• MLK Day
• Black History Month
• Women's History Month
• COVID and Racial Disparities in Healthcare
• Inclusivity from Start to Finish at NMC
• Celebrating Religious Diversity and Addressing Anti-Muslim Sentiment (20th anniversary of 9/11)
• Implicit Bias in Higher Education
• Recruiting and Retaining Faculty and Staff of Color
• Weight Bias and Body Shaming in Healthcare
• Supporting the LGBTQIA+ Community
• Swimming in the DEI Sea of Imperfection

• Inclusive Communities keynote speaker
• NMHS inclusive communities workshops for faculty/staff
• Implicit bias training at leadership forum
• Busting our Biases presentation
• “I am 400” poster presentation
• College students and poverty
• Supporting NMC food pantry with the Pack the Pantry event
• "Charting our Path: 50 Years of Black Studies" Exhibit and Reception

• How to Support Individuals with Disabilities During the Holidays
• 5 Things You Need to Know About Black History Month
• From Refugee Camp to BSN Student
• Lessons Learned from Poverty Simulation
• Seven Impactful Ways to Support Omaha Refugees