By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Maha Younes was supposed to be on the search committee for the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s chief diversity officer position. With extensive international experience and a passion for serving marginalized and vulnerable populations, she would have been a perfect fit for the group. But that wasn’t enough to satisfy the social work professor, who connected with the position on a personal level. “I felt called to … [Read more...] about ‘I felt called to it’: Maha Younes named chief diversity officer at UNK
social work
Phadiziana Smith-Whiteside overcomes obstacles to be first in family to attend college
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
Healing Journey: After losing family, Fayth Jackson finds herself at UNK
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – She keeps the photographs in a journal on her nightstand, “that way they are never too far out of reach.” Each 4-by-6 image captures a moment in Fayth Jackson’s life, a time before tragedy tore her family apart. When she looks at those photos, she’s transported back to the precious few years they spent together. For an instant, Jackson’s family is whole again. “I’ve noticed that the more time passes since they left … [Read more...] about Healing Journey: After losing family, Fayth Jackson finds herself at UNK
Grant funding will enhance UNK students’ global perspectives
LINCOLN – The University of Nebraska recently announced the recipients of five faculty grants in the fall 2019 competition for “Global Perspectives in the Curriculum” funding. These grants are awarded to faculty from across the university system who increase global perspectives in their on-campus courses and programs. University of Nebraska at Kearney faculty received two of the grants. Amanda Sladek, an assistant professor in the department of English, was awarded … [Read more...] about Grant funding will enhance UNK students’ global perspectives
UNK social work majors discover local resources during scavenger hunt
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Imagine being out of money, out of gas and out of work, but you need a hot meal and a place to stay for the night. Or you’re leaving an abusive relationship and looking for a safe space where you can find support. Where do you turn for help? Those are the types of situations University of Nebraska at Kearney social work majors faced Friday during an exercise that introduced the students to local resources and put … [Read more...] about UNK social work majors discover local resources during scavenger hunt
