Skip to main content
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Search
Log In

Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador

Diversity and Inclusion
Ambassador Certificate Program

Objectives Registration

Helen Fagen teaching the course.

The Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Ambassador Certificate Program is currently offered to University of Nebraska system employees including faculty and staff at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska Omaha and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

We Believe in the Power of Every Person

The Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Ambassador Certificate Program is designed so you can effectively foster an inclusive environment and become a champion of diversity and awareness. The program is open to University of Nebraska faculty and staff and requires a commitment of two days. Sessions include topics such as implicit bias, mindset around differences, meaningful and restorative conversations about race, intersectionality, emotional intelligence for managing diversity and organizational best practices for implementing inclusive excellence.

Fall 2023-Spring 2024 offerings will be announced in April 2023

Program Objectives

  • Explore and understand how bias affects us all
  • Understand the mindset around differences and create a plan for your growth and development as an inclusive leader
  • Engage in dialogue and discovery about race as a dimension of D&I and the challenges the topic presents
  • Explore and practice ways to engage in meaningful and restorative conversations about race
  • Share ideas and best practices for implementing inclusive excellence in our lives and businesses
  • Understand the impact of stereotypes and biased statements, even when casually said
  • Better understand the how and why for developing your own diversity statement
  • Explore intersectionality and identities, which defines and engages on the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage
  • Explore an often-overlooked perspective, international campus members, on diversity and inclusion topics that range from issues of race to gender inequities
  • Understand difficult transitions, identity development challenges and adverse social-emotional effect for those raised as third culture kids
  • Examine the role of emotions and their application to diversity, equity and inclusion
Students talk with faculty member in classroom discussion
Howard L. Hawks Hall

Location and Parking

Sessions held in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business, Howard L. Hawks Hall, 730 N. 14th Street, Lincoln

Parking available in 14th and Avery Street Garage: $1.25 an hour with a $7 a day maximum. Find your way at: https://maps.unl.edu/parking

Facilitators

Rik Barrera
Rik Barrera

Associate Dean of Operations, Inclusion and Chief of Staff, UNL College of Busines

Barrera oversees all business operations, facility management, IT operations, communications, marketing and external relations, and staff development. He also coordinates all D&I efforts for the college and teaches leadership in the Raikes School. Prior to working for Nebraska, he served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army.

Rik Barrera
Dr. Gwen Combs

Associate Professor of Management and Director for Faculty Diversity and Inclusion, UNL College of Business

Combs serves the university in faculty and administrative roles, including coordinating the work of the three Chancellor's Diversity Commissions. Her scholarship focuses on the dynamics of human resource management, diversity and inclusion practices on organizational outcomes and employee behaviors and well-being.

Helen Fagan
Dr. Helen Fagan

Assistant Professor of Practice in Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication, UNL

Fagan is a leadership, diversity and inclusion scholar and practicioner. As founder of the Global Leadership Group, she provides consulting and leadership coaching on diversity, inclusion, cultural competence and becoming an inclusive leader. She holds multiple certifications in diversity, emotional intelligence and executive coaching. She is a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory, which she has used with developing thousands of leaders.

NkengeFriday
Dr. Nkenge Friday

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives, UNL

Focusing DEI efforts as an institution-wide strategy, Friday works with leaders and constituents to develop strategic plans and initiatives that align with collaborative based frameworks, aligning organizational needs with industry trends and best practices. Friday’s research examines the role of higher education during periods of sociopolitical conflict and leveraging diversity and inclusion for global leadership and engagement.

About the Center for Executive and Professional Development

This program is offered through the Center for Executive and Professional Development at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The center provides professionals non-degree executive certificate training in leadership, management and more.

Learn More

Contact

Unlu, Emre
Emre Unlu
Paul C. Burmeister College Professor of Investments, Professor of Finance and Executive Director of the Center for Executive and Professional Development
HLH 201 A
P.O. Box 880405
Lincoln, NE 68588-0405
402-472-2353
emre@unl.edu