DEAI Council
Our mission is to pursue policies and strategies that achieve equity and inclusion across social differences in power in order to have the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) realize the creative synergies, intellectual insights, and excellence that come from fully engaging the power of differences.
Members of the DEAI Council are appointed by their unit or assembly leader to represent all facets of UNO and support initiatives in all areas.
| Unit | Lead | DEAI Representative | |
| Academic Affairs | Phil He | Candace Batton | cbatton@unomaha.edu |
| Alumni Association | Anthony Flott | Anthony Flott | aflott@unoalumni.org |
| Athletics | Adrian Dowell | Lindsey Ekwerekwu | lekwerekwu@omavs.com |
| College of Arts and Sciences | Melanie Bloom | Tanushree Ghosh | tghosh@unomaha.edu |
| College of Business Administration | Michelle Trawick | Kelsey Medeiros | kmedeiros@unomaha.edu |
| College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences | Neal Grandgenett | Sandra Rodriguez-Arroyo | srodriguezarroy@unomaha.edu |
| College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media | Michael Hilt | Herb Thompson III | hthompson@unomaha.edu |
| College of Information Science & Technology | Martha Garcia-Murillo | Deanna House | deannahouse@unomaha.edu |
| College of Public Affairs and Community Service | John Bartle | Barbara Hewins-Maroney | bhewinsm@unomaha.edu |
| Criss Library | David Richards | Jennie Tobler-Gaston | jenniegaston@unomaha.edu |
| Digital Learning | Jaci Lindburg | Cassie Mallette | cjmallette@nebraska.edu |
| Faculty Senate | Peggy Jones | Stuart Berstein | sbernstein2@unomaha.edu |
| Graduate Studies | Juan Casas | Julie Blaskewicz Boron | jboron@unomaha.edu |
| Human Resources/Business & Finance | Carol Kirchner | Marcella McGuire | marcellamcguire@unomaha.edu |
| Information Technology Services | Bret Blackman | James Johnson | jamesejohnson@nebraska.edu |
| Institutional Effectiveness and Student Success | Rich Klein | Jonathan Acosta | jacosta@unomaha.edu |
| NU Foundation | Lauren Miltenberger | Ellen Fitzsimmons | ellen.fitzsimmons@nufoundation.org |
| Office of the Chancellor | Chancellor Joanne Li | Keristiena Dodge | kshenouda@unomaha.edu |
| Office of DEAI/ Affinity Groups | A.T. Miller | Mishala Lewis | mlewis@unomaha.edu |
| Office of DEAI/ DEAI Dashboards | A.T. Miller | Pedro Okoruwa | pokoruwa@unomaha.edu |
| Staff Advisory Council | Kaitlin Carlson | Kimber Harkins | knharkins@unomaha.edu |
| Strategic Marketing and Communication | Sasha Thurin | TBD | TBD |
| Student Government - President | Hakim Lotoro | Hakim Lotoro | unoRegent@nebraska.edu |
| Student Government - DEAI Director | Hakim Lotoro | Mariam Zahid | sgaDEIA@unomaha.edu |
| Student Life and Wellbeing | Cathy Pettid | Taricka Burton | tlfairgood@unomaha.edu |
DEAI Faculty and Staff Affinity Groups
Affinity groups are voluntary employee-led spaces where faculty and staff can find community, support, and build connections. The existence of each group helps further diversity, equity, access, and inclusion for our faculty and staff members at UNO.
| Group | Meeting Format | Description |
| Asian, Asian American, Pacific Islander (AAPI) | In-Person | The AAPI group provides opportunities for members to celebrate, connect, jumpstart their professional development, and advocate for their community. |
| Black@UNO | Rotating In-Person and Virtual | We are a Black community on UNO's campus that meets monthly to provide support, networking, and mentorship. |
| Cafecito | N/A | Cafecito is a platform to discuss, advocate for, and celebrate the richness of Latino/a/x culture. |
| Disability Alliance | Virtual | The Disability Alliance provides support for disabled faculty and staff and advocates for a disability-friendly campus. |
| First Generation Guild | N/A | A supportive cohort of faculty and staff who are first generation, meaning their parents did not graduate from a four-year higher education institution. |
| LGBTQIA2+ | Rotating In-Person and Virtual | A space for individuals who are or are allies of the LGBTQIA2+ community. |
| Military Connection | N/A | Military Connection is a group focused on supporting and empowering military-affiliated faculty and staff members. |
| WiSTEM | Rotating In-Person and Virtual | The WiSTEM (Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) organization advances the full and successful participation and inclusion of all persons within academic professions by addressing gender equity, recruitment and retention, awards and recognition, and career advancement and satisfaction. |
| Christian Faculty and Staff Fellowship Group (CFSF) | Monthly Meeting | CFSF exists to build community amongst followers of Christ. It is for anyone who calls themselves a Christian, regardless of denomination. We seek to address the problem of faculty and staff isolation on campus and provide a place for individuals to connect with others. Welcoming to all individuals on campus, particularly faculty and staff who are new to campus. |
DEAI Research and Creative Activity Group
The DEAI Research and Creative Activity group is organized by the Office of Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion. This group is a space for faculty, staff, and graduate students who specifically focus on diversity, equity, access, and inclusion topics.
The purpose of this group is to provide an opportunity for individuals who emphasize DEAI in their work to convene and share their knowledge with UNO and beyond. Of this group's many contributions is assisting with planning the Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion Symposium.
FAQs About Affinity Groups
What are the benefits of joining an affinity group?
The existence and success of affinity groups play a role in furthering diversity, equity, access, and inclusion at UNO.
Can I join more than one affinity group?
Yes, you can join as many groups as you can balance engaging with.
Who can join an affinity group?
Affinity groups are open to all faculty and staff at UNO.
Is participation in an affinity group paid?
Participation in any affinity groups is voluntary.
Can students join affinity groups?
Membership in employee affinity groups is open to faculty and staff. However, employee affinity groups are encouraged to collaborate with student groups at UNO.
How can I get involved with Affinity Groups at UNO?
Please complete this short form to express your interest in joining.
For any further questions about affinity groups, email the Office of Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion at uno_DEAI@unomaha.edu