Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Index

Public Safety and Facilities Announcements

Teaching and Learning

General Announcements

Event Announcements

Keeping Track of Auggies

No Postings

Classifieds

Public Safety and Facilities Announcements

Vehicle Unlock Service Now Available to Augsburg Community

submitted by publicsafety@augsburg.edu

Locked out of your car? The Department of Public Safety now offers a vehicle unlocking service for vehicles parked in Augsburg lots or on the street on campus. This service is offered free of charge to the Augsburg community 24 hours a day.

Before unlocking a vehicle, DPS will verify that the person making the request is an Augsburg student, faculty member, staff member, or affiliated guest and that they are the registered owner of the vehicle. The requestor will also be required to fill out a waiver.

To request a vehicle unlock, call DPS at (612) 330-1717, use the CampusShield app, or stop by the dispatch center in the Urness/Mortensen Hall lobby.

Department of Public Safety Services

Teaching and Learning

Interested in Working with Young People? – Consider a Youth Studies Minor Class This Spring

submitted by finka2@augsburg.edu

This course will provide students with practical perspectives and experiences in work with children and youth from interdisciplinary perspectives. We will cover both theoretical frameworks for liberatory and culturally grounded work with youth and focused examinations of different types of youth work. Throughout the course, we will consider how our own positionality and experiences affect our engagements in work with youth and children.

Why a Youth Studies Minor?

This minor prepares you to work with and advocate for youth more effectively. You will develop knowledge and skills for working with young people from a variety of professions, including:

Teacher
Social Worker
Therapist
Nurse
Religious Leader
Scientist
Youth Program Coordinator

This minor can enrich many majors! This includes:

Social Work
Education
Psychology
Nursing
Sociology
Communications
Environmental Studies
Theater
Urban Studies
Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
Religion

Youth Studies Minor

Exciting New Course This Spring: CRS120

submitted by aoki@augsburg.edu

An exciting course is being offered for the first time this spring, CRS120, “Black to the Future: Afrofuturism as Cultural Aesthetic.” Coined by Mark Dery, Afrofuturism is an aesthetic theory that many Black writers and artists have used as cultural expression for decades. Lisa Yaszek, scholar of Afrofuturism refers to it as “an aesthetic mode that encompasses a diverse range of artists working in different genres and media who are united by their shared interest in projecting black futures derived from Afrodiasporic experiences.”

This class will investigate this mode of viewing Afrofuturism as a tool of exposing issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality and as a celebration of Black resistance to the systems that uphold those issues. As an introduction to Afrofuturism and Black speculative fictions, this course will look at the key concepts of Afrofuturism by acknowledging how Black people have represented themselves within the field of Science Fiction and Fantasy and relating artistic avenues.

This course will consider texts in a variety of mediums including short stories, novels, music, music videos, and film. Starting with W.E.B Du Bois’ “The Comet,” the course will traverse thematically, touching on the music of Sun Ra and Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower before moving to modern examples of the tradition like Rivers Solomon’s The Deep, music from Janelle Monae, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. CRS 120 fulfills the Equity, Power, and Social Justice or the Humanities GenEd requirement. The class is also cross-listed as ENL 275.

General Announcements

Capitol Pathways Program – Paid Internships at the State Capitol – Applications Due November 17

submitted by finka2@augsburg.edu

Capitol Pathways is a paid spring internship program for college students. With the long-term goal of making Minnesota state government and policymaking more representative of our diverse communities, this program provides students leadership, legislative and career readiness training alongside an immersive internship experience with an organization working in policy during the legislative session. This is a spring internship from January – May, 2025.

The application due date was extended to November 17th.

Minnesota Capitol Pathways Information & Application

Are you Muslim? Click Here to Share Some Information About Your Experience with Islamophobia

submitted by khanss@augsburg.edu

As-salamualaikum! My name is Sana Khan and I am currently a clinical psychology doctoral study student at Augsburg University. I am conducting a research study about how the mental health and religiosity of Muslim college students is impacted by Islamophobia and I would love to have you be a part of my study! The study will consist of an initial screener to make sure eligibility criteria is met and then scheduling an interview in which I ask you questions about your demographics and experience as a Muslim college student as related to Islam, religiosity, and Islamophobia. The interview should take approximately 45 minutes to an hour to complete. To thank you for your participation, upon completion of your interview, there will be an option at the end for you to enter your information to receive a $10 Visa gift card. If you are interested in participating, please contact me at my email listed below. I appreciate you taking time to consider being a part of my project. Please contact Sana Khan at khanss@augsburg.edu to determine eligibility.

Invitation to Participate in Research: Tinder Use and Mental Health Outcomes

submitted by bloyere@augsburg.edu

My name is Evan Bloyer, and I am a graduate student in the Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology program here at Augsburg University. My clinical research project is understanding how Tinder use impacts mental health outcomes, particularly self-esteem and body esteem. I have received Augsburg University’s IRB approval and am able to collect data from eligible participants. To participate, please click on the link below. Email me at bloyere@augsburg.edu for any questions or concerns. If you participate, you will be eligible for a raffle for one of four $25 Amazon gift cards.

Mental Health Survey

Act Now: Open Enrollment for 2026 Benefits – November 3–16

submitted by freder@augsburg.edu

Open Enrollment for 2026 benefits is here! This is your opportunity to elect or change benefits for the upcoming year. Outside of this period, you can only make changes following a qualifying life event.

Take Action!
Confirm or Update Your Benefits Elections for 2026
Elect FSA and Dependent Care contributions

No Action?
Your benefit plans remain the same as 2025
Your FSA and Dependent Care contributions will be set to $0. These can only be changed during benefit year if you have a qualifying life event.

Submit Today
You can adjust your elections anytime until the deadline. Review your options, make your choices, and submit your 2026 elections form to secure your coverage.

Upcoming Open Enrollment Information Sessions:

11/11, 9:00 AM – Computer Lab (open enrollment help)
11/11, 3:30 PM – HSA Education Webinar (Hosted by NFP)
Recorded Open Enrollment Webinar at https://sites.augsburg.edu/hr/employees/benefits/open-enrollment/

Take Action Now
Access the Enrollment Form:
Inside Augsburg > Administrative Tasks > Open Enrollment
Complete and Submit the 2026 form, even if waiving coverage, by November 16.

Open Enrollment Information

Call for Graduate Students: Help Finalize the Graduate Student Government Constitution

submitted by besterva@augsburg.edu

We’re looking for a small group of graduate students interested in helping finalize the Graduate Student Government (GSG) Constitution created by a group of graduate students this past spring and summer semesters. We need your help to get this important work done!

The Graduate Student Government Constitution is a key step in strengthening graduate student representation and collaboration across programs. This effort will also include proposing a graduate student fee to expand access to resources, professional development, and community opportunities for all graduate students. Your participation ensures these decisions reflect the needs and priorities of the graduate student body!!

If you’re interested in participating, please email schoolofhealth@augsburg.edu by Friday, November 14.

Thank you,
Vanessa Bester, EdD, PA-C
School Director

Faculty: Nominate Your Colleagues for the Strommen Faculty Fellowship

submitted by musto@augsburg.edu

The Strommen Center is launching a fellowship for faculty members! This three-day fellowship workshop will help faculty members identify the role they play in fusing career development in the Augsburg experience through curriculum development integration and, in doing so, provide equitable career development for all students. This fellowship will help develop skills in articulating how curricula aligns with the world of work and ensures that all students have access to the tools and resources necessary for post-graduation success.

Upon completion of all fellowship requirements, participating faculty will receive a $300 stipend for workshop participation and $200 for completion of career-integrated assignment or activity that the faculty members plan to implement either in the Spring 2026 semester or throughout the 2026-2027 academic year. We will celebrate their work at the end of the semester during Days in May.

The workshops run from January 13th through the 15th from 9am – 11:30am each day.

We are seeking nominations from colleagues, department chairs, and/or school directors for this opportunity. The Strommen Center will share with both the nominator and the nominee if they have been selected for the fellowship. We hope to have one faculty member for each of the five schools for this initial cohort.

Nominate Your Colleagues for the Strommen Faculty Fellowship

Custodial Department Paper Towel Installation

submitted by estradao@augsburg.edu

Tomorrow, Tuesday, the Custodial department will work with the Dalco installation team. They will be on campus updating all the paper towel dispensers with a new version from Kimberly-Clark. Half of the campus has been completed, so the team will continue tomorrow, Tuesday, in Memorial, Sverdrup, Old Science, Hagfords Luther, Gateway, Lindell Library, and Foss. We will try to finish tomorrow, but if there isn’t enough time, we will continue on Wednesday to complete the work.

Event Announcements

TODAY: Free Magazines in Christensen and Submissions Open

submitted by murdockf@augsburg.edu

Thó Wiŋ Magazine will be tabling in Christensen Center on Tuesday, November 11th and 18th from 11:30 to 1:30pm to distribute our 2025 issue. Stop by our table to pick up a FREE copy of Augsburg’s official literary arts magazine, a compilation of written and visual artwork compiled by Augsburg’s students and faculty.

Interested in being published in Thó Wiŋ Magazine’s 2026 issue? Learn more and submit at https://www.thowinmagazine.com/submissions.

How We Thrive – Yacoub Aljaffery | Wednesday, November 12 | Noon

submitted by myers@augsburg.edu

Yacoub Ajaffery (Education) will be sharing his story at How We Thrive on Wednesday November 12th from 12:00 p.m. – 12:20 p.m. in the Hoversten Chapel.

Yacoub first became a teacher at 12 in a refugee camp, teaching English to other refugees. Later, volunteer work in a Costa Rican orphanage turned that spark into a vocation. That path guides his work today as an ESL teacher-educator, helping future teachers turn care into practice and multilingualism into an asset. Join us for another inspiring story from one of our talented community members.

Volunteer as a Debate Judge with the Minnesota Urban Debate League

submitted by ramirezi@augsburg.edu

Make a difference for middle and high school students in the Twin Cities by volunteering with the Minnesota Urban Debate League (MNUDL), a program of Augsburg University that empowers over 1,800 youth each year through academic debate.

We’re currently seeking volunteer judges for our upcoming tournaments! No prior debate experience is required — we provide training for all new judges.

Perks include:
• Flexible 3–4 hour shifts (virtual or in-person options)
• Transportation available upon request
• Food and snacks provided at every tournament
• Great opportunity for fluent Spanish speakers
• Get paid after judging 3 tournaments!
• Be part of a community that helps students build confidence, communication, and critical thinking skills!

Augsburg Minnesota Urban Debate League

TOMORROW: Employer Tabling: Youable Health

submitted by carrigan@augsburg.edu

Stop by the Christensen Center TOMORROW, November 12, from 11am-1pm.
Youable is a non-profit mental health agency primarily serving children and families. We are currently hiring individuals for our Children’s Mental Health Case Manager position. We are hiring individuals who have received a bachelor’s degree and would be available to work in January 2026. A specific major is not required. If you have a passion for youth and mental health, please stop by!

Employer Tabling: Youable Emotional Health

Augsburg Concert Band Performance (Sunday at 3 pm)

submitted by green5@augsburg.edu

The Augsburg University Concert Band will present its Fall Concert this Sunday afternoon. The program will include compositions by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Bernhard Heiden, Clifton Williams, David Maslanka, Kevin Day, Julie Giroux, and John Mackey.

Augsburg University Concert Band
Sunday, November 16 at 3PM
Hoversten Chapel
Free Admission

View Concert Poster

Wednesday, 6-8 pm – Join Us in the Food Lab with Forest Hunt to Make Teas and Bath Salts for Health

submitted by gilmerje@augsburg.edu

EPNI Plant Scientist, Forest Hunt, will teach us how to make teas and bath salts using plants native to this region for health during fall and winter season changes. Learn about the vast power of plants and how to be in better relationship with plant communities! Supplies will be provided, please join us at the Food Lab in Hagfors 108!

Join the Sabo Center Community Engagement Council’s Community Changemakers and the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute for a series of talks and workshops. EPNI staff will share their skills, knowledge and experiences and introduce opportunities for getting involved with community building and movement work.

Stay tuned for a call for project proposals with EPNI in December! Funding and support will be available for course engagements, events, campus projects and whatever else you might dream up with the amazing team of peeps who work with EPNI.

Forest Hunt: Hot Stuff! Seasonal Teas and Bath Salts for Health!
Wednesday, November 12, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
The Food Lab, Hagfors 108

Sean Lim: Making Movement Art Talk
Wednesday, November 19, Noon to 1:00 pm
Oren Gateway Center, Room 100

Sean Lim: Movement Art Workshop – Banner Making
Monday, November 24, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Christensen Center, East Commons

Sean Lim: Movement Art Workshop – Screen-printing Posters
Monday, December 1, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Christensen Center, East Commons

Daniel Colton Schmidt: Finance & Fundraising for Community Movements
Monday, December 1, Noon – 1:00pm
Oren Gateway Center, Room 100

Visit https://linktr.ee/epnifarm to learn more about EPNI. Learn more about Community Changemakers here: https://www.augsburg.edu/sabo/community-changemakers/

Happiness Gym at the Mixed Blood Theatre, November 6 – December 7, 2025

submitted by gilmerje@augsburg.edu

The Mixed Blood Theatre cordially invites you and the Augsburg Community to attend our production of The Happiness Gym – A National New Play Network Rolling Premiere, based on an original concept by Ken Weitzman! Co-directed by Alejandro Tey and Mark Valdez. This production uses the tenets of positive psychology to craft exercises that engage the Twin Cities community in uses of good news, gratitude, and connection.

Link to register: https://mixedblood.com/the-happiness-gym/

Come to the Happiness Gym if:
You believe there is revolution in meaningful connection.
Need a break from the 24 hour news cycle.
Burnout threatens to pull you from the people and causes you care about.
You want to cultivate happiness using science!

PRICING
Free. Our work is guided by deep community engagement and rooted in Radical Hospitality. We eliminate barriers that prevent people from participating due to lack of resources, racism, physical accessibility, gender discrimination, or other barriers. Tickets are available at no cost to attendees.

Symphony Orchestra Concert – November 21

submitted by urrizaly@augsburg.edu

The Augsburg Symphony Orchestra presents:
Heroic Harmonies: Music of Courage and Resilience
Friday, November 21, 2025
7 p.m.
Sateren Auditorium
Free

The music department invites you to an evening of orchestral music presented by the Augsburg Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Mark Elliot Bergman, featuring soloists Azariah Myart-Young, Sydney Elliot, and Andres Johnson.
This program brings together works that, in different ways, reflect on the idea of heroism. Battle inspires courage and intensity. Méditation offers a moment of inward reflection and the strength to change. Don Quixotte Burlesque playfully explores the determination, sometimes misguided, of a dreamer striving toward impossible ideals. Finally, Beethoven’s Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus embodies the heroic spirit of art itself, bringing light and inspiration to humanity.

Check out more upcoming music events:

Keeping Track of Auggies

No Postings

Classifieds

Disabled Student Looking for Student to Be PCA

submitted by dipaolaz@augsburg.edu

Hi, my name is Zander. I am a Senior, and I am disabled and in a wheelchair. I am looking for a backup PCA to help out when my regular PCA can’t. You do not need to be trained to be a PCA, as I will provide all of the training you will need, as it is not that technical of a job. My PCA comes to my dorm every day to help me with certain tasks that I cannot complete in a timely manner.. You would come when my main PCA needs a day off or can’t make it that day for different reasons, and help me with the tasks that they would usually help me with on that day. Some of the tasks you would do daily are refilling water bottles, refilling humidifiers, and making a bed. Expect this to take 15 or 30 minutes out of your day. Then, on top of that, I also require assistance with bathing once a week. Expect that to take an hour once a week. This job comes with very flexible hours. I will tell you what day I would need you, and you would pick a time on that day that you would come. There is no set required time that you have to come each day. The rate for this job will be $13 an hour; however, you are usually not there longer than an hour, so it usually turns out to $13 per day. If you are interested in helping me out and scheduling an interview, contact me at (612)430-3233 or at dipaolaz@augsburg.edu.