 |
Some of the members of the College of Nursing Diversity Task Force. Back row, from left to right: Rosaline Olade, Larry Hewitt, Catherine Bernosky de Flores, Matthew Rutledge, David Bedell. Front row: Danette Eveloff, Sangeeta Agrawal, Ana Lara-Ramirez, Lola Martin, Stephen Smith. |
In her own culture, Rosaline Olade, Ph.D., would know everyone who surrounds her.
During the past year, Dr. Olade and the UNMC College of Nursing Diversity Task Force have forged new ties among employees through their monthly lunch hour diversity events. As a result, the task force received one of two 2002 Chancellor’s Diversity Awards for enhancing cultural competence and understanding at UNMC.
“I thought I could make a difference and pull people together to improve socialization and cultural awareness in the college,” said Dr. Olade, a native of Nigeria who joined UNMC in August 2001.
Dr. Olade chairs the College of Nursing Diversity Task Force, which evolved in the spring of 2002 out of her administrative colloquium project on leadership. The challenge of the colloquium and the support given by the Dean of the College were great inspirations, she said.
The task force, which plans monthly diversity events, includes the following faculty, staff and students: David Bedell, Lola Martin, Larry Hewitt, Danette Eveloff, Catherine Bernosky de Flores, Patricia Carstens, Stephen Smith, Matthew Rutledge, Kathleen Barr, Gloria Gross (Scoffbluff campus), Judy Billings (Kearney campus), Dawn Munn, Teresa Ryans, Linda Sather (Lincoln campus), Ana Lara-Ramirez and Sangeeta Agrawal.
 |
Art glass by renowned artist Leon Applebaum. |
“It’s been very successful,” Martin said. “It brings people together and takes away the mystery and prejudice. You find out this person may talk a little different, or look a little different, but we’re really more similar to one another than different.”
This past fall, the task force organized several diversity events including a Hispanic Heritage Day and Staff Diversity Day. The events were held in Omaha, but were broadcast to the College of Nursing campuses in Lincoln, Kearney and Scottsbluff.
“The Diversity Task Force provides an informal forum for students, faculty and staff to share beliefs and experiences and to promote open communication,” one nominator said. “The mission of the task force is activated through explorations of cultural backgrounds by diverse populations to enhance understanding and lessen the challenges of the unknown.”
The College of Nursing has developed a Web site unmc.edu/nursing/diversity/diversity_home.htm
to archive the activities of the task force and reflect the college’s diversity efforts to prospective students, staff and faculty.
The group also has set up a secret pal program to promote support and personal interaction among employees during the academic year. Relationships will be revealed in May.
The Chancellor’s Diversity Award, which is displayed in the College of Nursing’s Omaha office, affirms the committee’s efforts. “It says the work we’re doing in meeting one of UNMC’s strategic objective is appreciated outside the College of Nursing,” Dr. Olade said.