The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is seeking students, faculty and staff to lend their voices by volunteering for this year’s Husker Dialogues as conversation guides. Registration, available here, is due by Aug. 31.

Husker Dialogues is an annual program, which introduces incoming first-year students to tools to engage in tough, but necessary conversations centered on diversity and inclusion to build campus community and inspire change. It is hosted by the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services and Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

“Husker Dialogues is a great starting point for freshmen. It sets a precedent that our campus is open to all students from diverse backgrounds and gives faculty and staff an additional way to incorporate D&I discussion topics in their work with students,” Mikki Sandin said.

Sandin works in the College of Business as the international business and inclusion coordinator. She has served in various roles for Husker Dialogues including three years as a conversation guide.

Conversation guides are a vital part of the Husker Dialogues experience, helping facilitate discussion among participants.

“Conversation guides are the magic of Husker Dialogues. Engaging in conversation, while not always easy, is vital to make the most of HD and provide the opportunity for students to share, to ask questions, and to think about perspectives they may not have considered before,” Sandin said.

“Conversation Guides are extremely important in helping students learn about new perspectives and what life is going to be like as a Husker in the university community. They provide first-hand experience and unique stories that have helped shape who they are,” said Alex Fernando, a former conversation guide and current recruitment coordinator in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications.

The program’s theme for 2021 is “Be Bold. Take the First Step.” Husker Dialogues is intended to jumpstart first-year students’ journeys toward inclusive excellence. Relationships and engagement from the campus community power the experience. Volunteers model how incoming Huskers can lead. Fernando agrees.

“It’s important to have our leaders on campus step up to represent what we want this community to be for the next group of students who are joining us,” Fernando said.

This year’s program will be hosted via Zoom from Sept. 7 through Sept. 23. Each session is 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Volunteers are only expected to serve one night but can assist with multiple sessions.

Register to participate here.

People can sign up to be conversation guides on the Husker Dialogues website at go.unl.edu/huskerdialogues through August 31.