Augsburg University News and Announcements
submitted by leedoua@augsburg.edu
The semester is winding down, and you should, too. On-campus buybacks and rental returns are here! No box. No label. No stress.
Date: December 15 – 19
Time: 9am – 4pm
Location: Campus Store
Not around? Sell and return online at augsburg.ecampus.com
REMINDER: Rental returns to Augsburg University Online Bookstore are due by December 26—drop them off with ease at the Campus Store.
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.
submitted by cliftonk@augsburg.edu
Staff Senate is bringing colleagues together by creating intimate opportunities to connect, collaborate, and discover the amazing work happening across our campus.
Next Up: Open House with Lindell Library
When: Thursday, 12/11 from 9:30 – 11
Where: Lindell Library Clubhouse (First Floor)
What to expect:
Complimentary donuts and refreshments
A firsthand look at latest improvements and enhancements
Optional behind-the-scenes tours of our archives (a rare peek into our collection!)
Don’t forget to make a reading plan for winter break!
We can’t wait to see you there!
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
submitted by finka2@augsburg.edu
The SEED Coalition issues annual awards for community and civic engaged students, educators, and community partners. The Sabo Center is soliciting nominations for the following awards:
Student Civic Leadership Award (student): Recognizes a student or group who model civic responsibility and leadership through initiative, collaboration, and community building, integrating civic engagement into their college experience.
Civic Educator Award (staff or faculty): Recognizes a faculty or staff member who models civic responsibility by supporting students’ civic development and strengthening a culture of engagement on campus through their teaching, mentorship, or leadership.
Community Partner Award (community partner): Recognizes a community-based partner or organization that enriches both educational and community outcomes through sustained, reciprocal partnerships with a college or university.
Community Collaboration Award (student, staff, faculty, department, or community partner): Recognizes a project or initiative co-created by campus and community partners that showcases meaningful collaboration and exemplifies the campus’s civic and community engagement, contributing to both student learning and community well-being.
Individuals can self-nominate or be nominated by another person.
Nominations due February 1st, 2025.
submitted by aljaffer@augsburg.edu
You are warmly invited to join us for the ESL 320 Linguistics Final Project Showcase!
Date: Thursday, December 11
Time: 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Location: Hagfors Lobby
Students in ESL 320: Linguistics will be presenting and displaying their final projects. You’ll find engaging activities and informative displays on phonology, morphology, syntax, and language acquisition—projects designed not only to teach, but also to help you see your own language in new and thought-provoking ways.
All students, faculty, and staff are invited to stop by, show support for our ESL 320 students, and learn from their hard work and insight. Come walk around, ask questions, participate in activities, and celebrate our students as they thrive and share their learning with our community.
submitted by bergc2@augsburg.edu
Faculty and Staff Holiday Party
Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 3–5 p.m.
Hoversten Chapel | Foss Center
You are invited to attend the annual faculty and staff holiday party! Celebrate the completion of a successful semester and the holiday season with colleagues on campus. Light food and beverages will be provided.
If you need accommodations, please call the University Events department at 612.330.1104 or email events@augsburg.edu.
To support our community, please consider bringing nonperishable food or hygiene product donations for Campus Cupboard. A list of preferred/needed items is linked below.
submitted by rodrig@augsburg.edu
TRIO/SSS is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for the Spring 2026 semester.
All Augsburg TRIO/SSS participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents or refugees pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. Participants must be incoming or currently enrolled Augsburg students. All program participants must demonstrate academic need for program services and meet one or more of the following criteria:
• Low-income student: a student whose family meets federal income eligibility guidelines, as verified by Augsburg.
• First-generation college student: a student where neither custodial parent/guardian has graduated from a four-year institution at the time of the student’s enrollment in the TRIO/SSS program.
• College student with documented disability, as verified by the CLASS office.
Students must also have a commitment to their college success. Applications will be available until January 15, or until the program is full. Space is limited. Priority will be given to first year students and transfer students.
Questions? Email triosss@augsburg.edu or stop by our office in LIN 202
submitted by gilmerje@augsburg.edu
Due to weather, lunch at Sagal (https://sagalrestaurantandcafe.com/) today is cancelled. We at the Sabo Center encourage you all to spend time and money in our wonderful neighborhood restaurants and other businesses. You can find more information on local biz at the Sabo Center’s Augsburg Local website.
Please reach out to Jenean Gilmer, gilmerje@augsburg.edu, with questions, concerns, or to help plan future events like this one.
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.
submitted by dames@augsburg.edu
There will be no traditional chapel service today, but feel free to stop by the Campus Ministry office for cocoa and cookies if you are on campus.
submitted by gilmerje@augsburg.edu
Please fill out the short Google form linked below to let us know your interest and availability to provide support for community members on campus and in our neighborhood. This is a mutual aid project led by the Sabo Center at Augsburg University. The Sabo Center is in relationship with organizational partners in Cedar-Riverside and works to connect our campus to the neighborhoods we’re a part of to provide learning opportunities and meaningful support to our partners.
The Brian Coyle Center has asked for help at the Food Shelf. Community members need assistance getting their groceries from the center to the Plaza across the street due to snow and ICE. We’ll begin by lending a hand on Thursday and Friday between 11:30 and 3:30. There is a particular need for help with their monthly produce distribution on Thursday, December 18th from Noon to 2:00 pm.
Please reach out to Jenean Gilmer, gilmerje@augsburg.edu with any questions or concerns.
submitted by myers@augsburg.edu
A couple times a month we gather in the chapel at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesdays to hear a member of our community share a story about how they thrive, find meaning, and work for a better world. These are the How We Thrive talks, formally know as vocation chapels.
Below you will find a link to the talks that were given this fall semester. All of these were beautiful stories of hope, challenges, perseverance, and healing. If you are need of some inspiration, I encourage you to take a listen. These were our speakers:
Eve Christensen, September 24th.
Amy Cooper, October 22nd.
Yacoub Aljaffery, November 12th
Vanessa Marr, December 3rd
submitted by mollberg@augsburg.edu
The Writing Center is closed today. Please check A mail for our availability tomorrow.
Thank you!
submitted by hr@augsburg.edu
The following Augsburg Staff positions were posted within the past 7 days:
12/03/2025: Senior Administrative Coordinator, Institutional Advancement
– https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/AugsburgUniversity-MinneapolisMN/744000096873265-senior-administrative-coordinator-institutional-advancement-
12/03/2025: Academic Advisor
– https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/AugsburgUniversity-MinneapolisMN/744000096868125-academic-advisor
12/02/2025: Overnight Public Safety Officer
– https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/AugsburgUniversity-MinneapolisMN/744000096689509-overnight-public-safety-officer
submitted by hr@augsburg.edu
The following Augsburg Student positions were posted within the past 7 days:
12/04/2025: Student: CLASS/Groves Access Assistant, Academic Year 2025-26
– https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/AugsburgUniversity-MinneapolisMN/744000097066966-student-class-groves-access-assistant-academic-year-2025-26
12/02/2025: Student: Community Service Officer
– https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/AugsburgUniversity-MinneapolisMN/744000096701420-student-community-service-officer
submitted by straub@augsburg.edu
The open mic planned for Wednesday, December 10 has been postponed due to inclement weather. Future updates to follow!
submitted by phalp1@augsburg.edu
Due to the weather, CWC walk-in hours for today (Wednesday) will switch to virtual. If you are interested in a virtual walk-in appointment, please email cwc@augsburg.edu.
Walk In Hour available from 11am-4pm (virtually)
Urgent Phone Counseling is available 24/7/365 by calling 844-287-6963.
Appointment can be scheduled by emailing cwc@augsburg.edu
If there is an emergency, contact DPS at 612-330-1717 or call 911.
Stay safe!
submitted by phalp1@augsburg.edu
EVENT WILL BE CANCELLED
Hello friends!!!!
The snow is here; therefore, we are gonna be making a snow globe DIY for our Wellness Wednesday next week.
Wednesday, December 10th
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Location: CWC Group Room
submitted by vachta@augsburg.edu
All employees will soon be receiving an official email request to acknowledge information regarding the Minnesota Paid Family & Medical Leave (MN PFML) program.
What to Expect
From: Augsburg Online Forms <onlineforms@augsburg.edu>
Subject: Action Required: Minnesota Paid Leave (Effective Jan 1, 2026)
The email contains important compliance information about the new MN PFML program that is effective beginning January 1, 2026. Use the provided link to review benefits and payroll deductions under PFML and acknowledge receipt within 14 days.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the MN PFML program or the required acknowledgment process, please contact Human Resources hr@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1058
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
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.
submitted by yoon@augsburg.edu
Quick info…
Who: SoNS and HSS faculty
What: AI-Informed Assignment Quick-start workshop (update one existing assignment)
When/where: Monday, December 8, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Marshall Room
Details and sign-up: http://go.augsburg.edu/aipilot
Stipend: for each completed assignment update (up to two per faculty member)
Description
Are you teaching in SoNS or HSS and wondering how to set a clear AI policy for one assignment without redesigning your whole course?
This year Augsburg is piloting an AI-Informed Assignment project in the School of Natural Sciences (SoNS) and Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS). The pilot focuses on one concrete task: updating a single existing assignment so that your AI policy is transparent, students can briefly provide evidence of any AI use (if allowed), and compliance with that policy is gradable – all without the use of AI-detectors.
At the Quick-start workshop, please bring one existing assignment that could benefit from a clearer AI policy. By the end of the hour, you should have a solid draft of an “AI-informed assignment update,” plus a plan to finalize it in January or to apply the approach to another assignment.
To learn more or indicate interest, visit the pilot page at http://go.augsburg.edu/aipilot. The site links to a brief Overview and Starter Kit, and to a single Intake & Submission Form you can use to sign up for the workshop, request a consult, or request an optional pre-paid BoodleBox seat (a faculty-only AI tool). Participation in this round is limited to SoNS and HSS faculty.
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:
submitted by mader@augsburg.edu
On behalf of the Batalden Fellows of Applied Ethics, I would like to invite you to participate in a survey about ethics at Augsburg. This survey will ask you about your experiences with and hopes for conversations on ethics in your courses and around the institution.
We would request that you complete the survey by Wednesday Nov. 26th.
Please note there is also an option to indicate your interest in participating in upcoming focus groups where we can delve deeper into key areas identified by the survey. If you do not wish to include your email with the survey but would like to participate in the focus groups, please send an email to any of the fellows or reply to this email.
Thanks so much for your time; we look forward to learning from you!!!
Best wishes during this busy time of the semester,
The Batalden Fellows
(Jacqui deVries, Soebin Jang, and Tara Mader)
submitted by gilmerje@augsburg.edu
Join the Sabo Center Community Engagement Council’s Community Changemakers and the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute in welcoming Daneil Colten Schmidt and Sean Lim to campus.
Daniel Colton Schmidt: Finance & Fundraising for Community Movements
Monday, December 1, Noon – 1:00pm
Oren Gateway Center, Room 100
Daniel writes grants and speaks with philanthropists and investors; while also striving to protect the neighborhood from predatory financial interests. He studied Ecological Economics at Hampshire College in Massachusetts.
Sean Lim: Movement Art Workshop – Screen-printing Posters
Monday, December 1, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Christensen Center, East Commons
Sean works with EPNI, Spill Paint Not Oil and other community groups & Movements to make art that draws attention to social and political problems. Learn how to screen print and bring a Campus Kitchen poster home!
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.
Visit https://linktr.ee/epnifarm to learn more about EPNI.
Learn more about Community Changemakers here: https://www.augsburg.edu/sabo/community-changemakers/
submitted by gilmerje@augsburg.edu
Join us for two days of art, creativity, and celebration of local Indigenous artists and makers. The From Heart to Hands Arts & Crafts Market highlights handmade work rooted in culture, tradition, and contemporary expression. Whether you are looking to support local artists, find meaningful gifts, or simply spend time in community, we hope you will join us!
December 6th and 7th, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Minneapolis American Indian Center — Two Rivers Gallery
1530 E. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN
This event supports and uplifts Indigenous artists connected to the American Indian Cultural Corridor and the broader community. Your presence and participation directly contribute to sustaining this work.
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.
submitted by myers@augsburg.edu
How We Thrive: Stories of what it means to thrive – together.
Wednesday December 3rd | 12:00 p.m. | Hoversten Chapel
Vanessa Marr, Social Work
“Listen to Your Mama (Nature): Lessons on Resilience, Resistance, and Beyond”
In times of uncertainty, nature has been a gentle teacher. Let us gather and explore these lessons as a means to connect, nourish, and empower.
submitted by bjorkluw@augsburg.edu
The Registrar and Student Financial Services will be closed today, Wednesday 11/26. We will return to normal operating hours Monday 12/1.
Thank you for your understanding.
submitted by dames@augsburg.edu
Please join us in Hoversten Chapel at 12:00 pm for a Communion service led by Pastor John Schwehn. Then stay for some pre-Thanksgiving pie!
submitted by johnsok@augsburg.edu
Learn more about when campus buildings are open during Thanksgiving Break—November 27-28.
submitted by johnsok@augsburg.edu
As a reminder, there will be no A-mail tomorrow, November 27 or Friday, November 28 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. A-mail will continue December 1.
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!
submitted by musto@augsburg.edu
You may have received an email over the last few days about a research opportunity that references the Strommen Center or staff member Gina Musto. This email did not come from the Strommen Center or any of its staff. If you received this email, please mark it as spam and cease any communication you have had with the person emailing. If they ask for bank account information or other details; stop immediately – our office will never ask for this information and no employer will ask for this via email.
Keep in mind that any communication from our office with either come through Handshake or an augsburg.edu address. For more information on how to spot scam job opportunities, please visit our resource below.
submitted by olsenkat@augsburg.edu
It’s that time of year – PA Program Holiday Coffee Fundraiser!
Support the PA Program, get yourself and your loved ones a gift, and help raise money for the St. Paul International Institute of Minnesota, which aids with job training and resources.
Sales goes now until December 9th.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/augsburg-university-physician-assistant-coffee-sale
Bags are 19.50 per 12 oz of Medium Roast regular or cold brew and available for pick up Dec 15-18 in the PA breakroom in the basement of Riverside Park Plaza.
Don’t want coffee, but want to support? We accept direct donations though the site! Share with any friends and family looking for a boost this winter.
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.
submitted by phalp1@augsburg.edu
Time to add new plants to your collection or share it with others. We have 3 different kinds of plants for you to pick and choose from. Hope to see you!
Date: Wednesday, November 26th
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
**Limited supplies**
https://www.instagram.com/p/DRckOGEEXY-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
submitted by hr@augsburg.edu
The following Augsburg Student positions were posted within the past 7 days:
11/24/2025: Student: Campus Life Program Assistant
– https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/AugsburgUniversity-MinneapolisMN/744000095170787-student-campus-life-program-assistant
submitted by sheinfel@augsburg.edu
Samosa-Sambusa Sampling – Religion & Philosophy Student Social
Come for food and drinks, enjoy activities and prizes
Wednesday Dec 3, 12:30-1:30 in Hagfors 165
Everyone is welcome!
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.
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.
submitted by nguyenma@augsburg.edu
Recruiting now for the Travelers EDGE program. This program offers scholarship, mentorship, internship, professional development and more!
Seeking first-year students with 3.0+ GPA in the following majors:
– Accounting
– Business Admin/Management
– Communicationss
– Computer Science
– Economics
– Finance
– International Business
– Math
– MIS
– Marketing
Attend an informational sessions to learn more about the program, hear from Scholars/Alumni, and get application tips!
– Thursday November 20th, 2025 | 4:30-5:30pm Hagfors 106
– Tuesday December 2nd, 2025 | 4:30-5:30pm Hagfors 150 B/C
– Wednesday December 10th, 2025 | 12-1pm On Zoom. Click link to register: https://augsburg.zoom.us/meeting/register/V4Rnu3iORUGzP5T-oN5PPw
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.
submitted by bergc2@augsburg.edu
Faculty and Staff Holiday Party
Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 3–5 p.m.
Hoversten Chapel | Foss Center
You are invited to attend the annual faculty and staff holiday party! Celebrate the completion of a successful semester and the holiday season with colleagues on campus. Light food and beverages will be provided.
If you need accommodations, please call the University Events department at 612.330.1104 or email events@augsburg.edu.
To support our community, please consider bringing nonperishable food or hygiene product donations for Campus Cupboard. A list of preferred/needed items is linked below.
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.
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/
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
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
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!
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.
submitted by mader@augsburg.edu
On behalf of the Batalden Fellows of Applied Ethics, I would like to invite you to participate in a survey about ethics at Augsburg. This survey will ask you about your experiences with and hopes for conversations on ethics in your courses and around the institution.
We would request that you complete the survey by Wednesday Nov. 26th.
Please note there is also an option to indicate your interest in participating in upcoming focus groups where we can delve deeper into key areas identified by the survey. If you do not wish to include your email with the survey but would like to participate in the focus groups, please send an email to any of the fellows or reply to this email.
Thanks so much for your time; we look forward to learning from you!!!
Best wishes during this busy time of the semester,
The Batalden Fellows
(Jacqui deVries, Soebin Jang, and Tara Mader)
submitted by caguanas@augsburg.edu
Human Resources will be holding a training for anyone that supervises Student Employees on campus on December 2, 2025 from 1pm – 2pm.
This training will cover the following topics:
Student Eligibility
Job postings and hiring
Onboarding and Orientation
Augsburg policies and Federal Compliance
Timesheet Approvals and reminders
This training will be held via Zoom and will be recorded to be posted to the HR website. All student employee supervisors are invited to join for a refresher on these topics!
submitted by dames@augsburg.edu
Please join us at 12:00 pm to hear Pastor Babette Chatman preach. Henry Buck is our guest musician today.
submitted by dames@augsburg.edu
Be a part of our 46th Annual Advent Vespers on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6. Volunteers are needed before each performance to welcome guests to Central Lutheran Church and to staff the will-call table. Volunteers are needed on Friday from 6:00 – 7:00 pm prior to the 7:00 pm service, and on Saturday, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm for the early service and from 4:00 – 5:00 pm prior to the 5:00 pm service. After volunteering, stay for the performance! Please contact Janice Dames at dames@augsburg.edu with any questions.
submitted by borden@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, your cool uncle’s favorite Led Zeppelin song (probably), and more. Don’t miss it!
submitted by yoon@augsburg.edu
Are you teaching in SoNS or HSS and wondering how to set a clear AI policy for one assignment without redesigning your whole course?
This year Augsburg is piloting an AI-Informed Assignment project in the School of Natural Sciences (SoNS) and Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS). The pilot focuses on one concrete task: updating a single existing assignment so that your AI policy is transparent, students can briefly provide evidence of any AI use (if allowed), and compliance with that policy is gradable – all without the use of AI-detectors.
The first CTL Quick-start workshop for this pilot will be held:
Monday, December 8, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Marshall Room
Please bring one existing assignment that could benefit from a clearer AI policy. By the end of the hour, you should have a solid draft of an “AI-informed assignment update,” plus a plan to finalize it in January or to apply the approach to another assignment. For this initial pilot round, there is a modest stipend for each completed assignment update (up to two per faculty member).
To learn more or indicate interest, visit the pilot page at http://go.augsburg.edu/aipilot
The site links to a brief Overview and Starter Kit, and to a single Intake & Submission Form you can use to sign up for the workshop, request a consult, or request an optional pre-paid BoodleBox seat (a faculty-only AI tool). Participation in this round is limited to SoNS and HSS faculty.
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
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.
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.
submitted by selinski@augsburg.edu
Faculty and Staff headshot portraits from Wednesday, October 29 are available to download from the linked Google Drive folder. You must be logged into your Augsburg email/Google account to gain access. Any headshot photos taken before 10/29/25 have been moved into the “Archive” folder and can be accessed there.
If your headshot needs to be updated on the website, please submit a request to our Project Management System–Lytho: augsburg.ignite.inmotionnow.com
submitted by nguyenma@augsburg.edu
Recruiting now for the Travelers EDGE program. This program offers scholarship, mentorship, internship, professional development and more!
Seeking first-year students with 3.0+ GPA in the following majors:
– Accounting
– Business Admin/Management
– Communicationss
– Computer Science
– Economics
– Finance
– International Business
– Math
– MIS
– Marketing
Attend an informational sessions to learn more about the program, hear from Scholars/Alumni, and get application tips!
– Thursday November 20th, 2025 | 4:30-5:30pm Hagfors 106
– Tuesday December 2nd, 2025 | 4:30-5:30pm Hagfors 150 B/C
– Wednesday December 10th, 2025 | 12-1pm On Zoom. Please register to get the link.
submitted by vachta@augsburg.edu
Minnesota’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (MN PFML) program begins January 1, 2026. This is a significant change that will affect all employees.
This statewide program provides partially paid time off for qualifying medical and family leaves. This applies to all our employees, including faculty, staff, adjunct faculty, and student employees.
This program will be funded, in part, by new employee payroll deductions starting in 2026.
You’re Invited: Your Guide to MN Paid Family & Medical Leave
To help you understand how this new program will impact you, your pay, and your existing benefits, please join us for an informational webinar.
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Presented by: Our partners at NFP and Unum
At the webinar, you will learn:
– What counts as a “qualifying leave”
– How benefit amounts are calculated
– How to apply for leave
– How the new payroll deductions will work
The webinar will be recorded and shared afterwards.
Additional Details
Our Partner: We have selected Unum to administer our PFML benefits. Many of you already know Unum as our provider for life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability.
State Resources: You can learn more about the state’s program directly at the MN DEED Paid Leave website. https://mn.gov/deed/paidleave/
Augsburg PFML resources
https://sites.augsburg.edu/hr/employees/benefits/pfml/
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.
submitted by bergc2@augsburg.edu
Faculty and Staff Holiday Party
Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 3–5 p.m.
Hoversten Chapel | Foss Center
You are invited to attend the annual faculty and staff holiday party! Celebrate the completion of a successful semester and the holiday season with colleagues on campus. Light food and beverages will be provided.
If you need accommodations, please call the University Events department at 612.330.1104 or email events@augsburg.edu.
To support our community, please consider bringing nonperishable food or hygiene product donations for Campus Cupboard. A list of preferred/needed items is linked below.
submitted by vanclev1@augsburg.edu
The library is offering drop-in research support for the rest of fall semester:
Monday-Thursday 10am-3pm.
You are always welcome to contact the library by visiting our website at https://library.augsburg.edu/.
submitted by caguanas@augsburg.edu
Human Resources will be holding a training for anyone that supervises Student Employees on campus on December 2, 2025 from 1pm – 2pm.
This training will cover the following topics:
Student Eligibility
Job postings and hiring
Onboarding and Orientation
Augsburg policies and Federal Compliance
Timesheet Approvals and reminders
This training will be held via Zoom and will be recorded to be posted to the HR website. All student employee supervisors are invited to join for a refresher on these topics!
submitted by dames@augsburg.edu
Please join us at 11:50 am in Hoversten Chapel for a community gathering for the Transgender Day of Remembrance in collaboration with QIPOC and Multicultural Life. Tristan Crowell and three students will share in our daily chapel service.
submitted by dames@augsburg.edu
Be a part of our 46th Annual Advent Vespers on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6. Volunteers are needed before each performance to welcome guests to Central Lutheran Church and to staff the will-call table. Volunteers are needed on Friday from 6:00 – 7:00 pm prior to the 7:00 pm service, and on Saturday, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm for the early service and from 4:00 – 5:00 pm prior to the 5:00 pm service. After volunteering, stay for the performance! Please contact Janice Dames at dames@augsburg.edu with any questions.
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.
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/
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
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.
submitted by hr@augsburg.edu
The following Augsburg Staff positions were posted within the past 7 days:
11/13/2025: Public Safety Officer
– undefined
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!
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
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.
submitted by bergc2@augsburg.edu
Faculty and Staff Holiday Party
Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 3–5 p.m.
Hoversten Chapel | Foss Center
You are invited to attend the annual faculty and staff holiday party! Celebrate the completion of a successful semester and the holiday season with colleagues on campus. Light food and beverages will be provided.
If you need accommodations, please call the University Events department at 612.330.1104 or email events@augsburg.edu.
To support our community, please consider bringing nonperishable food or hygiene product donations for Campus Cupboard. A list of preferred/needed items is linked below.
submitted by klobassa@augsburg.edu
The Joint Student Success Committee is excited to launch the Student Success Initiatives Inventory. Our goals with this inventory include:
Conducting a comprehensive analysis of the initiatives we have in place to serve our students
Better understand where we are doing well and where we may have gaps.
Using this information to inform/refine our persistence action plan.
We are asking colleagues across campus to submit student success initiatives using this form: https://forms.gle/EekkDbehm4W4tFAH9
Our goal is to have responses in by Wednesday, Nov. 19. For a reminder of what is included in the submission form and for FAQ information, click here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a9DnX-6azIDO38ied4pmPZI6NaH_LDPCwIO9zMIzKuc/edit?usp=sharing. If you have any questions as you are completing the inventory, please reach out to Vern Klobassa (klobassa@augsburg.edu).
submitted by morgans1@augsburg.edu
Come Celebrate International Education Week With Us!
This event will feature a panel of international students, international faculty, and study abroad alumni who will share how global experiences have impacted them both personally and academically. Come hear their stories!
Wednesday, November 19th
12:20 – 1:00PM
Marshall Room (CC)
submitted by vachta@augsburg.edu
Minnesota’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave (MN PFML) program begins January 1, 2026. This is a significant change that will affect all employees.
This statewide program provides partially paid time off for qualifying medical and family leaves. This applies to all our employees, including faculty, staff, adjunct faculty, and student employees.
This program will be funded, in part, by new employee payroll deductions starting in 2026.
You’re Invited: Your Guide to MN Paid Family & Medical Leave
To help you understand how this new program will impact you, your pay, and your existing benefits, please join us for an informational webinar.
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 PM
Presented by: Our partners at NFP and Unum
At the webinar, you will learn:
– What counts as a “qualifying leave”
– How benefit amounts are calculated
– How to apply for leave
– How the new payroll deductions will work
The webinar will be recorded and shared afterwards.
Additional Details
Our Partner: We have selected Unum to administer our PFML benefits. Many of you already know Unum as our provider for life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability.
State Resources: You can learn more about the state’s program directly at the MN DEED Paid Leave website. https://mn.gov/deed/paidleave/
submitted by mouakao@augsburg.edu
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is beginning the process of reconsideration of a subsection of the social statement on Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. As part of this work, we are conducting focus groups to inform the development of education resources on the Lutheran understanding of conscience. If you are interested in participating, please complete the form below to help us determine if you qualify for one of the study activities and focus groups.
To learn more about the ELCA Human Sexuality-Gift and Trust Study Process, please visit: https://www.elca.org/faith/faith-and-society/current-social-writing-projects/human-sexuality-gift-and-trust-reconsiderations
submitted by nguyenma@augsburg.edu
Recruiting now for the Travelers EDGE program. This program offers scholarship, mentorship, internship, professional development and more!
Seeking first-year students with 3.0+ GPA in the following majors:
– Accounting
– Business Admin/Management
– Communicationss
– Computer Science
– Economics
– Finance
– International Business
– Math
– MIS
– Marketing
Attend an informational sessions to learn more about the program, hear from Scholars/Alumni, and get application tips!
– Thursday November 20th, 2025 | 4:30-5:30pm Hagfors 106
– Tuesday December 2nd, 2025 | 4:30-5:30pm Hagfors 150 B/C
– Wednesday December 10th, 2025 | 12-1pm On Zoom. Please register to get the link.
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.
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. He’ll be giving a talk about his work and we’ll come up with some ideas for Banner and Poster workshops happening in the next two weeks! Coffee and cookies will be served.
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: 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/
submitted by dames@augsburg.edu
Please join us in Hoversten Chapel at 12:00 pm to hear Imam Muntadher Aljebery who serves the Shia Muslim community in Minneapolis share his story of commitment in the next installment of “Living Stories.” “Living Stories” is a series co-hosted by the Department of Religion and Philosophy, Augsburg Interfaith Institute, and Campus Ministry. Each month we will hear stories of commitment from across traditions.
submitted by dames@augsburg.edu
Be a part of our 46th Annual Advent Vespers on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6. Volunteers are needed before each performance to welcome guests to Central Lutheran Church and to staff the will-call table. Volunteers are needed on Friday from 6:00 – 7:00 pm prior to the 7:00 pm service, and on Saturday, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm for the early service and from 4:00 – 5:00 pm prior to the 5:00 pm service. After volunteering, stay for the performance! Please contact Janice Dames at dames@augsburg.edu with any questions.
Sign up to volunteer: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfdEBYB57knVl0TUZYsGOTUDiDDdUfK-Mae1Vatd1uxKIbGaw/viewform?usp=publish-editor
submitted by vanclev1@augsburg.edu
The library is offering drop-in research support for the rest of fall semester:
Monday-Thursday 10am-3pm.
You are always welcome to contact the library by visiting our website at https://library.augsburg.edu/.
submitted by phalp1@augsburg.edu
Bracelet Day!! Join us to create an aromatherapy bracelet!
Wednesday, November 19th
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Location: CWC
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.
submitted by hr@augsburg.edu
The following Augsburg Staff positions were posted within the past 7 days:
11/13/2025: Public Safety Officer
– https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/AugsburgUniversity-MinneapolisMN/744000093472331–public-safety-officer
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.
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
submitted by aucwc@augsburg.edu
Let’s travel back to when we were kids Slime DIY or just making a mess with them is our next Wellness Wednesday. Come join us when you have time:
Wednesday, November 12th
Time: 12pm-1pm
Location: CWC Group Room
submitted by freder@augsburg.edu
Open Enrollment, the annual period when benefits-eligible employees make their benefit choices for the coming year, begins Monday, November 3, and continues through Sunday, November 16. This is the only time of year when you may elect or change your benefits, unless you experience a qualifying life event.
Open Enrollment is passive this year – if you do not submit updated information, change, or waive your coverage, you will have the same coverage as 2025. However, if there are no elections to your Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare, limited purpose, or dependent care) or Health Savings Account, your elections will be zero for the 2026 benefit year.
No Action:
– Benefits plans stay the same
– FSA & Dependent Care deductions: $0 (locked in for 2026)
– HSA deductions: $0 (can change at any time)
Mark your calendar to attend the following Zoom information sessions. Zoom links will be provided on the Open Enrollment page of the HR website (https://sites.augsburg.edu/hr/employees/benefits/open-enrollment/)
11/11, 9:00 AM – Computer Lab (open enrollment help)
11/11, 3:30 PM – HSA Education Webinar (Hosted by NFP)
Effective January 1, 2026, Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave (MNPFML) begins! Information sessions on Minnesota Paid Family and Medical Leave will be in mid-November; more information to come!
Add these events to your Google calendar! Visit the HR website sites.augsburg.edu/hr and add the Payroll and Benefits calendar.
Email hr@augsburg.edu with any questions about these events.
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
submitted by aucwc@augsburg.edu
De-stress with the help of specially crafted sounds and rhythms designed to relax and center your mind and body. We can make it fun, relaxing, and full
Save the date and join us on Thursday, October 16th from 6:00pm – 7:30pm in Foss Chapel.
Please register with the link below:
submitted by green5@augsburg.edu
The outstanding musicians of the Augsburg University Jazz Ensemble will perform on Tuesday, November 18. The concert will feature music by Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, Mongo Santamaría, and Mike Steinel.
Ensemble: Augsburg University Jazz Ensemble
Date: Tuesday, November 18
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Sateren Auditorium
Cost: Free
submitted by hr@augsburg.edu
The following Augsburg Student positions were posted within the past 7 days:
11/10/2025: Student: Recording Studio Manager
– https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/AugsburgUniversity-MinneapolisMN/744000092780955-student-recording-studio-manager
11/05/2025: Student: Public Safety Dispatcher, Academic Year 2025-26
– https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/AugsburgUniversity-MinneapolisMN/744000091873377-student-public-safety-dispatcher-academic-year-2025-26
