The latest Office of Community Engagement news for you.

ENGAGEMENT MATTERS

Quarterly News from the Office of Community Engagement

2025 Q1

KEELER'S KORNER

A message from the OCE leadership desk....

Greetings!

It’s been quite some time since the last newsletter back in quarter 4 of 2024, but that does not mean that we’ve been idle in the Office of Community Engagement! We have been 110% focused on highlighting the amazing community engagement work at UNMC for our Carnegie Community Engaged Campus reclassification application. Although the submission is due on March 31, 2025, this does not mean that the work is done. We have so much more to accomplish, and we’ll need lots of help to do so!

The OCE would like to put together a UNMC wide report on the great work revealed from the Carnegie Process. This is our chance to expand and really tell the story of engagement. If you are interested in featuring your engagement in this report, feel free to reach out to our office so that we can include you.

We have moved on to phase two of our Providing Community Perspectives Project. This project aims to create a collaborative space for identifying, collecting, and sharing community engagement resources. It also focuses on developing education and resources to form trusting and mutually beneficial partnerships with communities. Phase one included identifying currently available resources and collaborators and topics to further develop. Thank you to everyone who responded! Phase two includes connecting interested learners with accessible resources and more advanced trainings offered by engagement experts. Phase three includes developing and launching education and resources not already available. If you are interested in this project, please reach out to our office. Read more about this effort here: Community engagement calling for contributions from across UNMC | Newsroom | University of Nebraska Medical Center.

As we move towards our next phase of building community engagement supports and resources, your ideas and collaborations are needed. Is there something needed to help your unit better engage with communities? Do you have community engagement events or achievements to share? We would love to feature you in this newsletter and beyond! If you have received an award, published, presented, advocated for, or if you are involved in any other amazing community engagement action, let us know! We love to promote and support your efforts. Your achievements are an inspiration to others as well.

Thanks to everyone who passionately collaborates with our communities to build better health for all. Your efforts are so valued, and we hope that you feel supported and connected. Read on to learn more about the great work related to Community Engagement.

Remember, Stay Engaged!

Heidi Keeler, PhD, MSN/MBA, RN

Assistant Vice Chancellor

UNMC Office of Community Engagement

"Building Meaningful, Engaged Learning Experiences"

UNMC Faculty Development and Office of Community Engagement Host Fireside Chat and Seminar Featuring Marisol Morales, EdD, MIPS

On October 23, 2024, UNMC Faculty Development and Office of Community Engagement had the privilege of hosting an intimate fireside chat and seminar featuring Marisol Morales, EdD, MIPS, community engagement expert. As an experienced Executive Director of Carnegie Elective Classifications at the American Council on Education, Dr. Morales joined us as a private consultant to address methods to incorporate community engagement within a changing academic landscape, as well as the resiliency needed to do this effectively. This special event provided an opportunity to delve into the Carnegie Classification system and explore how UNMC’s Office of Community Engagement can continue to enhance its outreach and service-learning efforts.

Community engagement in higher education is vital for fostering collaborative relationships, encouraging student-led initiatives, and addressing societal challenges. Dr. Morales brought a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the conversation. With a background deeply rooted in higher education and community collaboration on a national scale, she offered practical insights on how institutions like UNMC can navigate the complexities of community engagement. Her patience and openness during the fireside chat allowed participants to ask candid questions, fostering a collaborative dialogue about why the process of achieving community engaged campus classification status is beneficial and how it impacts multiple units across the university. Marquita Govan, Program Coordinator of Campus Engagement who attended the events stated, "As someone with a passion for health literacy, the chat and presentation were informative."

A central theme of the discussion was the importance of creating sustainable and impactful community partnerships. Dr. Morales emphasized that meaningful engagement requires intentionality and a commitment to long-term relationships with community stakeholders. She highlighted how UNMC's dedication to reapplying for the Carnegie Classification reflects a broader institutional commitment to advancing community-engaged scholarship and improving health outcomes in the Omaha community

OCE Collaboration

The Office of Community Engagement partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Omaha at Skinner Elementary School for a Presentation of

"Living History: Get to Know Historical STEM Figures"

During the 2024 Fall semester at Skinner Elementary School, the Office of Community Engagement (OCE) team visited the afterschool program facilitated by the Boys and Girls Club of Omaha. The OCE team's objective was to foster curiosity and encourage future careers in STEM fields by introducing the students to "Living History: Get to Know Historical STEM Figures." Approximately 50 K-5th-grade students explored the world of STEM through interactive learning and role-playing.

The team began by introducing students to the fundamental concepts of STEM and providing an overview of what we do at UNMC. To personalize the experience, we asked each student to share their favorite subject and explain why they enjoy it. After discussing a range of STEM careers, we transitioned to introducing the students to historical STEM figures who have made significant contributions to their fields. Each figure was carefully selected to represent diverse areas within STEM, offering students a broad perspective on the impact and possibilities within these disciplines.

Throughout the presentation, the students were invited to volunteer and dress up as these historical figures using costumes of the era donated by Creighton University's Fine and Performing Arts Costume Shop, Fine and Performing Arts Costume Shop, and used clinical tools provided by UNMC iEXCEL for a more immersive experience. This interactive component not only brought history to life but also allowed students to envision themselves in these roles, fostering a deeper personal connection to STEM.

"Living History: Get to Know Historical STEM Figures" is more than just an educational activity—it is a call to action to inspire the next generation of STEM professionals. By allowing students to step into the shoes of historical figures, we aim to ignite their imaginations, broaden their horizons, and plant the seeds for future innovation and discovery.

STEM Historical Figures discussed were Elbert Frank Cox 1895-1969 - First Black PhD Mathematician, Daniel Hale Williams, MD 1856-1931-Cardiac Physician who opened the First Non-Segregated Hospital in the US. Rebecca Lee Crumpler 1831-1895 - First Black Woman Physician. Phil Brooks No DOB found - Inventor of Disposable Syringe 1974.

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VOICES FROM THE COMMUNITY

Empowering Communities Through Health Advocacy and Education with Impactful Work from Precious Davis, EdD, MSN, RN

In the heart of Nebraska, Dr. Davis stands as a beacon of compassion and leadership in community health, education, and advocacy. With a remarkable career dedicated to supporting individuals navigating complex healthcare systems and championing health equity, Dr. Davis has made a profound impact in the lives of many, particularly within the HIV care community.

Dr. Davis has dedicated much of her career to addressing the challenges faced by individuals living with HIV. During her time at the Nebraska Medicine Specialty Care Center, as a registered nurse, she collaborated closely with the Nebraska AIDS Project (NAP), serving as a nurse volunteer. Recognizing the critical need for culturally competent care, Dr. Davis also provided education and training to the Nebraska Organization for AIDS and HIV (NOAH) staff. Dr. Davis's commitment to improving HIV care led her to author her dissertation titled Understanding Barriers to Engagement and Retention in Care Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Multidisciplinary Team Approach. This work sheds light on the critical need for culturally tailored approaches to care, ultimately driving better health outcomes within underserved communities. Although she no longer provides case management at the Specialty Care Center, Dr. Davis remains an active advocate for HIV care as a board member for NAP.

Today, Dr. Davis is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Mary Eliza Mahoney Mentoring Program (MEMMP) at UNMC College of Nursing, where she oversees mentoring services for first-generation college students and those from underserved communities. Her previous roles include community engagement and service-learning education for first-year medical students at UNMC College of Medicine as the Director of the Community Collaborative Academy and Health Equity & Cultural Sensitivity Subject Matter for UNMC's Project ECHO - Achieving Equitable Health Outcomes in Nebraska.

Currently, her influence as a speaker and mentor is equally impactful. Dr. Davis has been a guest speaker at numerous high schools, local colleges, and community events, passionately advocating for mental wellness in higher education, the importance of mentorship, and the value of accessible HIV care. In April, she will lead a continuing education event at Metro Community College, addressing the topic of burnout in healthcare. In addition to outreach, Dr. Davis maintains an active role as a Mixxedfit group fitness instructor, promoting physical wellness in her community and serves as a mentor for the Douglas County Youth Center.

Dr. Davis exemplifies the power of community-centered healthcare and education. Her tireless advocacy for individuals living with HIV, commitment to student education, and hands-on engagement with marginalized communities reflect a holistic approach to health equity. As Dr. Davis continues her work; she remains a formidable force in transforming health outcomes and inspiring the next generation of healthcare providers to lead with empathy and cultural competence. It is the words of Dr. Maya Angelou that help guide Dr. Davis's academic journey, "We may encounter many defeats, but we must never be defeated." Dr. Davis states, "I owe it to the next generation of students, nurses and future colleagues to show them how to bridge the gap between community and health equity." Dr. Davis stands as a powerful reminder of the profound impact one individual can make when driven by compassion, knowledge, and an unwavering commitment to community well-being.

UNMC CON Mary Eliza Mahoney Program

STUDENT ORGANIZATION FEATURE

Highlighting OCE Legacy Student Groups: Empower and Fostering the Future

Image: “What were you wearing?” Sexual Assault Awareness Month Installation Exhibit

EMPOWER is an interprofessional student organization focused on awareness and education of domestic and sexual violence among UNMC students. President Anna Kosmach, a UNMC Graduate Student in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology is proud to be a part of Empower because it aids future healthcare professionals in developing their approach to supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence, which will have a cascading impact on the experiences of survivors in the healthcare system in the future.

Past EMPOWER events include November and December 2024, EMPOWER members engaged in reading and discussions on gender and sexual violence on college campuses. Members received a copy of the recent book “On the Wrong Side” by Dr. Nicole Bedera, a sexual violence researcher. EMPOWER hosted a book club to discuss these topics. A few weeks later, the group hosted Dr. Bedera for a lunch lecture and discussion on her work. Members found these activities illuminating and Empower plans to host more events like this in the future!

Image: Fostering the Future Annual Blanket Drive

Fostering the Future, hosted a successful blanket-making drive in November to benefit local at-risk youth and UNMC NICU babies. This community-related initiative was made possible thanks to a very generous donation from the McDaniel Foundation, which was used to purchase fleece for over 200 blankets. Fostering the Future would also like to extend thanks to UNMC College of Medicine Alumni Council (COMAC) for their grant, which was used to purchase materials to assemble the blanket for delivery. Students, faculty and staff came together to make the blankets on Friday, November 17th. A take-home option was available for those unable to participate in the in-person event. There was a special addition this year as each blanket was tied by a UNMC student with a UNMC/Fostering the Future ribbon from the bookstore. Then the students delivered the blankets in January to the UNMC NICU, Charles Drew, Project Harmony, Project Everlast, Partnership for Kids, and the Child Saving Institute.

The OCE and Fostering the Future extends their gratitude to everyone who supported the initiative – we could not do this without all of you. This is a favorite initiative for Fostering the Future student members.

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