A Welcome from our Chief Diversity Officer

Dr. maha younesWelcome and thank you for visiting the University of Nebraska at Kearney web page for Inclusive Excellence. I am honored to serve as UNK’s chief diversity officer and lead our institutional journey into inclusive excellence.

My motto “One for All & All for One; We are the Change” describes the vision and approach for implementing our inclusive excellence strategic priorities.

As a community of higher education, our strength rests in affirming the dignity and rights of every individual regardless of race, ethnicity, age, religion, (dis)ability, veteran status, income level, gender identity, sexual orientation, political orientation, historically and currently underrepresented populations, and much more. We humbly recognize that our personhoods, institutions and communities are works in progress and commit ourselves to ongoing self-reflection and lifelong learning.

UNK will take stock of its institutional policies and practices to foster student-centered and culturally responsive practices that lift all people and compel us to be and do better. These are not empty promises. Our actions demonstrate the seriousness of our purpose.

Our strategic plan for inclusive excellence, the appointment of academic diversity officers within the colleges, and the provision of professional development opportunities to advance inclusive pedagogy represent the mere beginning of a very promising process.

As defined by the American Association for Colleges and Universities (AACU), inclusive excellence calls upon us to address diversity, inclusion and equity as critical to the well-being of democratic culture. It is an active process through which colleges and universities achieve excellence in learning, teaching, student development, institutional functioning and engagement in local and global communities (AACU).

This mission represents the essence of our institutional existence and measure of our success. The health and sustainability of our nation, state, community and university depend on our commitment to be inclusive and leave no one behind.

The journey toward inclusive excellence will challenge us personally and professionally. However, innovation and transformation are the hallmarks of higher education and require openness to change and embracing intentional new approaches that welcome everyone. We embrace this process and have faith in the capacity of our students, faculty and staff to honor people from all backgrounds and walks of life.

UNK will strive to provide an equitable and inclusive campus climate and culture that values the lived experiences of our stakeholders and supports their sense of inclusion and belonging.  
My message to UNK students, faculty and staff: We see you, hear you and stand with you! We are the change, and together we will build a university for everyone!

Sincerely,
Dr. Maha Younes
Chief Diversity Officer
Pronouns: she/her

Academic Diversity Officers

Dr. Brooke R. Envick

Dr. Brooke R. Envick

College of Business and Technology

Dr. Janet Eckerson

Dr. Janet Eckerson

College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Jan Allison Moore

Dr. Jan Allison Moore

College of Education

Dr. Megan Adkins

Dr. Megan Adkins

Graduate Studies

Upcoming Events

21 Mar
18 Apr

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Resources

An Equity, Access and Diversity committee works to identify needs and advises Administration on programming. The links below are places to find specific related information.

multi cultural students in front of office

Offices and Programs