The Chancellor’s Diversity Commissions are hosting an event with Helen Fagan, assistant professor of practice in agricultural leadership, education,nd communication, who will present on her life, experiences, career and journey to becoming an inclusive researcher.

The event, “Being an Inclusive Researcher: A Fireside Chat with Dr. Helen Fagan,” is 4:30 p.m. Nov. 16 in the Nebraska Union’s Swanson Auditorium. The discussion will be moderated by Gina Matkin, professor of agricultural leadership and the ALEC undergraduate leadership program coordinator. Following the discussion and question-and-answer opportunity will be a reception at 6 p.m.. The event is free and open to the public; however, the sponsors ask that individuals RSVP.

Through the lens of her experience as an Iranian immigrant as a child, her experience leading diversity programs in health care and education, and her work with numerous government agencies, private organizations and businesses, Fagan will present a discussion of the research, along with a look at the hard work leaders must do at an individual level to overcome personal obstacles to prioritize inclusion in their work.

Fagan’s book, “Becoming Inclusive: A Worthy Pursuit in Leadership,” was published by Information Age Publishing in 2021. At the core of “Becoming Inclusive,” Fagan reveals the systemic problems of organizational bias and prejudice and shows university students, instructors and organizational and government leaders a path forward. The book focuses on the need to transform the mindsets of individual leaders.

Fagan received the 2021 Chancellor’s Fulfilling the Dream Award and the 2020 Excellence in Education, Women’s Leadership Award. She is founder of the Global Leadership Group and has worked with numerous government agencies, private organizations and businesses, including the Qatar Institute for Intercultural Communication, Union Bank, Bryan Health, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Leadership Lincoln. She is a national and international speaker on topics of leadership, inclusion and diversity.