The Nebraska Community of Learners — Understanding Diversity through Education, will host its first meeting of the spring semester at 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 24. For the virtual session, a panel of community leaders will discuss their religious, spiritual and humanist communities, how they have found these communities in Nebraska, and how their identities and beliefs influence their approaches to social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

Registration is now open on the NCLUDE website.

The third virtual event of the academic year will host the following panelists:

• Rabbi Alex Felch, Jewish Community of Lincoln

• Rev. Karla J. Cooper, Doane University, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Allen-St John AME Church

• Ryan McMaster, Lincoln Atheists

• Dr. Ibrahim Mohammad Alkli, Islamic Foundation of Lincoln

The panel will be moderated by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Max Perry Meuller, assistant professor of classics and religious studies.

“It is important for us to provide a platform highlighting the role of religion, spiritual, and secular identities in diversity, equity in inclusion,” said Nkenge Friday, assistant vice chancellor for strategic initiatives with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. “The leaders of this panel bring such a wealth of knowledge and as part of our path towards inclusive excellence, this conversation ignites a firmer understanding of ways these identities contribute towards community, belonging, and understanding.”

The panel discussion, which is free and open to the campus community, will offer insight on the diverse belief systems that exist in Nebraska while offering insight into ways beliefs influence respective social justice work.