Ty O’Neal Nared ‘12

Back at Marian and Building Belonging, Diversity and Inclusion

Story by Susan Macaitis Rosenlof '82

It’s a challenge to create a culture where 600 girls feel like they belong: it takes hospitality, compassion, curiosity and candy. 

Ty O’Neal Nared ‘12 is back at Marian where she is one year in as the director of belonging, diversity and inclusion. With a dedication to Marian and professional experience in building community, she is up for the challenge of creating space where everyone feels like they belong. 

Ty knows first-hand the benefits of a Marian education.  “When I came here, I was very shy, very soft-spoken, but I attribute my voice, if you will, to Marian. I felt I found the skills I needed to be a leader and to do so well. And that's helped a lot in my relationships and in the work that I've done in the community."

A staff position focused on diversity and inclusion was initiated in 2020 in response to the steady growth in diversity at Marian. Nared is now the first to lead a full-time position, following Devin Owens, who served in a part-time capacity for three years. 

With an enrollment of 600, 26% are students of color. Nared describes diversity beyond race, including varying economic, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Marian relies on a diverse base to fulfill its mission and enrich its culture and academic experience.

“When I started this role, there were a lot of questions in the community, like 'Do you think you can make real change?' I'm very passionate about Marian because I went here. But I know inherently that Marian is a place that was founded on the principles of social justice. And I know the sisters have done great work for that. So if you haven't been in this community, you don't understand the level of impact you can make,” said Nared.

Nared has set about making an impact in three focus areas: student programming, faculty/staff professional development and community connections.

In developing student programming, Nard works with the student diversity board and moderates IDEAS and Step Club. With the help of students, she develops ways to educate and celebrate the various cultures in the school through activities like heritage months and culture fair. These activities have a two-fold benefit - they create awareness that diversity is growing, and spotlighting diversity makes our students of color feel they have space here.

Another component is professional development centered around diversity, equity and inclusion. By improving cultural competency skills, faculty and staff can be more responsive to students and support a welcoming community.

The third facet is community connection and helping with recruitment and retention -  not only drawing diverse students to Marian but keeping them here. 

That said, belonging, diversity and inclusion is for all students. It is the fundamental principle behind our core value of community. Nared is a resource for all students and has worked hard to build relationships. That’s where the candy comes in. She keeps a candy bowl in her office; each month the bowl features a new culture: Native American chocolates, Boba candy from Taiwan, Filipino banana and jack fruit candies, and De La Rosa candies from Mexico. “It’s so simple but engaging. When the girls come in, they have to eat the candy in my office, and it’s an opportunity to connect and chat about the culture behind the candy,” said Nared.

Ty brings diverse experience to her role. A graduate of Creighton University, she has worked in marketing for Sacred Heart Catholic School and Collective for Hope. Prior to her return to Marian, she worked in mental health advocacy. 

Along with developing programming for the coming school year, Nared is preparing for the Certified Diversity Profession (CDP) exams. This certification program provides one of the highest credentials in DEI work and champions organizational values; models belonging and inclusive excellence; fosters a safe and healthy work culture; and leads organization-wide integration efforts.

“My vision for the school would be to create a culture where every student, no matter where they come from, feels as if they belong and can authentically show up as themselves. I would love to create a community of learners of different backgrounds in the school where all feel comfortable,” said Nared.

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Fun Fact

Ty and her husband Dell are parents to Adele, age 4. While Adele was a baby, they launched a toy company, Meraki Montessori during the COVID shutdown. Out of their workshop (garage), they created toys from natural wood and nontoxic finishes in shades of brown. Their start-up experienced great success and momentum, and they represented Omaha on a show called "Maker Nation." That opened the door for them to start Melanin Market Omaha, an indoor-outdoor market of  BIPOC vendors. They wanted to create a platform to highlight goods and services as well as nonprofit organizations or companies whose primary mission is to help diverse populations. The first Melanin Market took place in 2022 in Millwork Commons. This year’s market was held on July 6 and featured over 80 vendors.