Nebraska Methodist College appoints 22 staff to DEI advisory board

Omaha, Nebraska - To strengthen the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC), 22 staff have been appointed to a new advisory board.

“I am excited to see such a diverse group of individuals in personal and professional experience, passion and position within the institution,” said Kiley Petersmith, the director of the Center for Diversity and Community Engagement. “These members will serve as liaisons to bring concerns, needs, suggestions or opportunities for growth to the board.”

Advisory board members commit to a two-year term and work directly with Petersmith to assist in the implementation of strategic initiatives.

“The goal for each advisory board member is to act as a DEI champion for NMC and mentor colleagues through implementation of DEI initiatives,” Petersmith said.

Members will lead professional development activities, lead teacher training, review policies, provide student affairs and mentor support, offer peer mentoring, and more. 

Action items will be developed based on needs identified through data collection across campus.

Board members were selected through an application process. A panel chose advisory board members based on diversity in identity, thought, personal and professional experience, passion and position within the institution.

“The board will intentionally confirm NMC’s mission and values to establish a trajectory of DEI work by developing and implementing action items that align with the strategic plan of recruiting more diverse faculty and students and the College’s commitment to developing pipelines and processes to meet the needs of our community and Methodist Health System,” Petersmith said.

Advisory board members represent all levels of the College and the majority of departments. 

Work will begin this fall working with Inclusive Communities in action planning sessions further developing a culture of inclusion and belonging at NMC. 

Members of the board are:

Alina Borkowski, director of records and registration 

Mark Billington, director of the Center for Research Education and Teaching Excellence (CREATE)

Amy Clark, provost-vice president of academic affairs

Kris Cobb, Bachelor of Science (BSN) in Nursing faculty 

Christina Ewing, diversity outreach community coordinator

Sophie Feng, arts and sciences faculty 

Jennifer Harm, director of business office and student housing

Virginia Holland, senior administrative assistant 

Lisa Johnson, director of student support services

Ashley Kamien, director of clinical education

Allison Kinney-Walker, Social Justice and Inclusion Council chair and arts and sciences faculty 

Jillian Krumbach, director of undergraduate nursing

Karissa Madrigal, academic advisor

Sarah Murphy, chief student officer

Kiley Petersmith, director of the Center for Diversity and Community Engagement

Will Roberts, director of outcomes assessment 

Liz Schooler, BSN faculty

Harsha Sharma, arts and sciences faculty 

Melissa Siedlik, recruitment and admissions coordinator

Lindsay Snipes, vice president of institutional effectiveness

Taylor Timperley, BSN faculty 

Adrian Vega, director of Upward Bound