Monday, November 24, 2025

Index

Public Safety and Facilities Announcements

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Teaching and Learning

General Announcements

Event Announcements

Keeping Track of Auggies

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Teaching and Learning

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

submitted by finka2@augsburg.edu

Youth Studies 220 (YST 220) 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.

The course is offered in Spring 2026 from 3:40-5:10PM on Tuesdays/Thursdays and is taught by Professor Kao Nou Moua.

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

Need Another Upper-Divison Course? Consider HIS 440: Black Migrations to the United States

submitted by devries@augsburg.edu

HIS 440: Black Migrations to the United States (Prerequisite: ENL 111)
Spring 2026

Tuesday / Thursday 10:10 11:40AM (on campus)
Taught by Prof. Ibrahim Hirsi

Course Description

An estimated 48 million people in the United States identify as Black. Their migrations—forced and voluntary—began in 1619 and continue to the present day. They came from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and South and Central America. Many are descendants of enslaved people; others have emerged from places like Somalia and Ethiopia and Ghana and Jamaica. This course provides an overview of the journeys and experiences of African Americans and Black migrants and examines their unbroken ties—imagined and real—to the African continent. The course draws from a wide range of interdisciplinary sources, exposing students to major historical themes and significant Black figures. Through lectures, discussions, and thesis-driven writing assignments, students gain a substantive understanding of the African diaspora’s historical formation and develop critical reading and writing skills essential to successful careers.

Prof. Ibrahim Hirsi is completing his Ph.D. in Immigration History at the University of Minnesota, after working as a journalist for the Sahan Journal, MinnPost, and Minnesota Public Radio. In addition to English, he speaks Somali, Arabic, and Swahili.
Posted on November 21, 2025 Email a correction for this post: Need Another Upper-Division Course? Consider HIS 440: Black Migrations to the United States

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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 and will be accepting nominations through November 26th.

Nominate your colleagues for the Strommen Faculty Fellowship!

General Announcements

Free Astrology Readings — After a Quick Survey (Updated)

submitted by xiongjj6@augsburg.edu

Hello! My name’s Julius and I am a student at Augsburg university! I have a research project for my English class and I am looking for people to pariticipate in my survey! It is a short and informal survey for my class, so its not asking you anything personal.

There is a completely optional choice to opt-in to receive a free astrology reading as a little “Thank You” for completeing the survey. More info in the survey!

Here is the link to the survey: https://forms.gle/6KUe8gbtLHsVt1DB8

(To those who were frustrated or bummed out that they may have missed the opportunity: This post was originally up and running early Monday morning, but got taken down due to suspected IRB violations. I had to contact and change a couple things and got everything approved by the chair of IRB, so you can now take the survey!)

Thank you!

https://forms.gle/6KUe8gbtLHsVt1DB8

New: Dungeons and Dragons Kit at the Library

submitted by cronink@augsburg.edu

Whether you’re a tabletop veteran or new to the hobby, the library’s newest addition to the board game collection is for you! Our new D&D kit includes the Player’s Handbook, the Dungeon Master’s Guide, 6 sets of dice, a DM screen, and a dry-erase grid. Students are welcome to play in the library, or to check out and take the kit home for up to a week at a time.

New Roth Contribution Options for 403(b) Plan

submitted by vachta@augsburg.edu

Effective January 1, 2026
We are updating our 403(b) plan to offer new retirement saving options for eligible employees.

1. New Roth Contribution Option
– What it is: You can now direct your regular employee contributions to a Roth 403(b) account.

– Roth Benefit: Contributions are made after taxes, and all qualified withdrawals (contributions + earnings) are tax-free in retirement.

– Action: You will be able to choose between the existing pre-tax option or the new Roth option beginning December 29, 2025. Employees must opt in to the Roth contribution option.

2. Mandatory Roth Catch-Up Contributions (SECURE 2.0 Act)
– Who is affected: Employees age 50 or older who had FICA wages exceeding $150,000 in 2025.

– The Change: In compliance with federal law, any catch-up contributions you elect to make in 2026 MUST be designated as Roth (after-tax). Pre-tax catch-up contributions will no longer be available to those who meet this threshold.

– Action: If this applies to you, your catch-up contributions will automatically be designated as Roth.

Want to learn more about after-tax Roth contributions?

Compare Roth & Pre-Tax Contributions: https://web.augsburg.edu/hr/2026benefits/403bRoth.pdf

TIAA Webinar
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
10:00 AM
Register at https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5117171/0E39DBCE09AF9940483F628C85085771

Register for Roth Contribution Webinar

Want to Have a Say in Community Work on Campus? Apply for the Sabo Center’s Student Co-Design Teams

submitted by gilmerje@augsburg.edu

Student Co-design teams is an initiative through Campus Compact, a national organization that supports college campuses across the U.S. with community and civic engagement. This initiative is intended to more fully and effectively embed student voice into the functioning of the university and campus culture more broadly. The Sabo Center is considering submitting an application for this program to more fully bring students into the Sabo Center Community Engagement Council (SCEC), which began meeting in Spring Semester of 2025.

Should an application be accepted, a team of 4-6 people (staff, faculty and students) would begin meeting in January of 2026. The project will require at least two hour-long meetings per month during the Spring and Fall semesters. The program begins in January 2026 and will end in May of 2027. Students will be compensated for their role with the project.

Applications are due Friday, December 5th, we need to confirm a team no later than Monday, December 1, 2025. Please fill out this short Google form to express your interest: https://forms.gle/DLk8e1GVQ8bohHnN9

Please reach out to Jenean Gilmer with any questions, gilmerje@augsburg.edu. Learn more about the program here: https://compact.org/news/introducing-student-co-design-teams-applications-open

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

Event Announcements

TONIGHT 6-8 p.m. – Movement Art: Banner Making Workshop

submitted by gilmerje@augsburg.edu

Join the Sabo Center Community Engagement Council’s Community Changemakers and the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute in welcoming Sean Lim to campus. Sean works with EPNI, Spill Paint Not Oil and other community groups & Movements to make art that draws attention to social and political problems. We’ll be painting a banner for Campus Kitchen in the East Commons–stop by and bring a friend!

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.

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.

Small Ensembles Concert – Monday, November 24

submitted by borden@augsburg.edu

Augsburg Music Department Presents:

The Small Ensembles Concert
Monday, November 24, 2025
7 p.m.
Hoversten Chapel

The Augsburg Flute Ensemble, Augsburg Jazz Combo, African Drum Ensemble, and a contemporary ensemble called THE Group will perform a wide selection of musics for your enjoyment. Entry is free, seating is plentiful, and joy will abound. See you there.

Check out more music events.

Open Mic Night – December 10

submitted by starckl@augsburg.edu

Do you love hearing good stories? Do you have a poem to share? Are you looking for a creative arts break during the last week of classes?

Whether you come just to listen or to perform your work, we hope that you’ll join us for an open mic night in Sateren Auditorium on Wednesday, December 10th at 7pm. Hosted by the Narrative Arts Department of the Schwartz School of the Arts, this event will gather together creative writers, filmmakers, and performers for a cozy evening of inspiration and community.

If you’re interested in sharing your work at the event, please let us know via this Google form. If you’re still deciding–or just want to come to listen and applaud and have a snack or two–please mark your calendars for December 10th!

Sign up to share your work

PSEO Community Time (Finals Edition) – Pizza

submitted by chuma@augsburg.edu

Join Madelyn Chu, Associate Director of PSEO, for a special PSEO Community Time as we head into finals week! Take a break, connect with fellow PSEO students, and refuel with pizza, and activities

This is the perfect opportunity to de-stress, ask questions, and win some prizes! We can’t wait to see you there for good food, great company, and a little fun.

Date: December 12th, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Location: Christensen Center (Fishbowl): Behind Einstein Bagels

Want to share your experience to earn a $5 gift-card? Submit your testimonial to us! We’d love to hear how your experience at Augsburg is going.

Submit your testimonial here!

Small Ensembles Concert – Monday, November 24

submitted by urrizaly@augsburg.edu

Augsburg Music Department Presents:

The Small Ensembles Concert
Monday, November 24, 2025
7 p.m.
Hoversten Chapel

Come hear music performed by a collection of student ensembles so small you’ll barely be able to see them 😀

The Augsburg Flute Ensemble, Augsburg Jazz Combo, African Drum Ensemble, and a group humbly called THE Group will present selections from the Great American Songbook, traditional Ghanaian and Malian drumming, music that literally sounds like a steam locomotive, and your cool uncle’s favorite Led Zeppelin song (probably).

Don’t miss it!

Keeping Track of Auggies

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Classifieds

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