New online tool supports inclusive hiring

To help faculty and administrators navigate the impact of biases, a new online resource has been developed to support best practices in inclusive hiring.

The UNMC offices of faculty development, inclusion and e-learning partnered to create the five-part series titled “Hiring for Excellence.” The modules also represent a collaborative effort of the UNMC’s Inclusion and Equity Council and many others across UNMC, which the developers praised as a true community investment in excellence. 

“As a prominent leader in the community, UNMC must lead in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Sheritta Strong, MD, assistant vice chancellor of inclusion. “Nowhere are these principles more important than in talent acquisition – where the seeds of our culture are planted.”

Dr. Strong said, “Knowing biases exist and how to address them are the first steps in creating a more equitable and inclusive culture.”

Each e-learning module can be used individually or as a collection, with the learning intentionally designed to be in increments of less than 10 minutes.

View the collection of videos here. The e-learning modules are a companion to UNMC’s Faculty Search Committee Guidebook and Toolkit. View the modules or to download the Faculty Search Committee Guidebook online.

Hiring and retaining talent often has taken center stage in today’s work world.

“With the nation talking about the ‘great resignation’ and ‘quiet quitting,’ we’re paying attention to how we are attracting and hiring new team members and the talent necessary to achieve our mission at UNMC,” said Linda Love, EdD, director of faculty development.  

“These valuable tools will help us elevate our own and our hiring teams’ practices.”

Module designer Steph Langel said, “A major aim of these learning assets was to give our colleagues a focused and efficient way to assess, upskill and discuss improved hiring habits for the modern workplace.” 

Sarah Gloden Carlson, assistant vice chancellor and director for human resources, agreed.

“Giving employees strategies for reducing bias will help to provide individuals with valuable tools and insight for change,” she said. “We are hopeful what is learned through these modules will be shared and discussed among colleagues to even further encourage mindfulness in our hiring processes.”