By ERIKA PRITCHARD UNK Communications KEARNEY – Phadiziana Smith-Whiteside didn’t know a single family member – parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles or cousins – who had attended college. “Leaving high school was a big transition,” she said. “I had to look up YouTube videos of freshmen moving in because I didn’t know anything. Should I bring a mirror? Do they have a checklist? Is that a thing?” An Omaha Northwest High School graduate, Smith-Whiteside also … [Read more...] about Phadiziana Smith-Whiteside overcomes obstacles to be first in family to attend college
College of Education
College of Education committee focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Change doesn’t happen overnight. You can’t solve social injustice and inequality during a one-day seminar or training session. It takes long-term commitment to create a truly inclusive environment that’s free of these issues. “If you’re going to be competent – not culturally competent, but competent – you must continue to educate yourself and educate others,” said Toni Hill, an associate professor in the University … [Read more...] about College of Education committee focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion
UNK grad student Asianna Harris shares blueprint for equity and inclusion
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Civil rights attorney and law professor Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, believes there are four things we must do to achieve justice: Stay proximate to the people you are trying to help Change the narrative Never lose hope Be prepared to do things that are uncomfortable and inconvenient These rules – a blueprint for a better world – can be used to … [Read more...] about UNK grad student Asianna Harris shares blueprint for equity and inclusion
Last Lecture: Jane Ziebarth-Bovill presenting ‘Inviting Hope During Difficult Times’
KEARNEY – Jane Ziebarth-Bovill will share a much-needed message of hope and resiliency when she addresses the University of Nebraska at Kearney community next week. “We are living in challenging times right now, and people need hope and courage to keep on going when life looks dark and difficult,” said Ziebarth-Bovill, the featured speaker for this year’s installment of the Last Lecture series. The longtime UNK faculty member will present “Inviting Hope During … [Read more...] about Last Lecture: Jane Ziebarth-Bovill presenting ‘Inviting Hope During Difficult Times’
Webinar addresses racism and its impact on students’ mental health
KEARNEY – Ebony McGee worked as an electrical engineer for several Fortune 500 companies before an epiphany changed her career path. “I realized that I wasn’t impacting the lives of others in a way that made sense to me. On my tombstone, I didn’t want it to say, ‘She made power products.’ I wanted something more meaningful for my life,” McGee explains in a Vanderbilt University faculty profile video. Inspired by her own experiences in a workplace that was “mostly … [Read more...] about Webinar addresses racism and its impact on students’ mental health