New fellowship program aims to diversify Nebraska's boards and commissions

Nebraska will join four other states in starting a new grassroots fellowship with the goal of diversifying the state’s boards and commissions. Rogelio Rodriguez Villalobos, the leadership development manager with Conservation Nebraska, is leading the program. It’s called the boards and commissions fellowship and this year’s cohort will be the first in Nebraska.

He said as it stands now, the state’s boards and commissions do not represent Nebraska’s diverse populations.

“There's a lot of people in rural Nebraska, underrepresented neighborhoods and big cities like Lincoln and Omaha, that have a lot of people making decisions that don't reflect, really, the diverse backgrounds that live there," he added.

As an example, Rodriguez Villalobos listed his own hometown of South Sioux City. Almost half of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, but he said most of the representation on the city's boards and commissions are predominantly white.

"And a lot of times, they're making decisions for people that they don't understand," he added.

Rodriguez Villalobos currently serves on two boards himself and some advisory committees where at times, he may be the only person of color speaking up. But, he cautioned, it's important those voices are not viewed as a "token" within these boards and commissions. That's one topic fellows will learn about, as well as when and where is the best place to serve.

The fellowship will last six months with a graduation ceremony in August for the 15-20 fellows selected. Applicants will be selected from all over the state, as most of the training sessions will take place virtually.

"We need younger folks, we need people from different socioeconomic statuses, we need people from the LGBTQIA+ community," Rodriguez Villalobos said. "We need more people that represent the modern-day population of Nebraska.”

It's also a way, he added, for people of different immigration statuses to be involved in their communities. The fellowship will focus on volunteer, appointed and advisory positions within public service.

"This is a way to serve your community, be a part of an organization and really just kind of see yourself as a leader," he said.

Rodriguez Villalobos said he plans to have the participants this year become mentors in years to come.

Applications are due this Friday, March 29, 2024.