Seeking Students to Lead Important Campus Conversations
Seeking students to become trained Dialogue Practitioners and hold important conversations on campus!
This program is designed to equip student leaders with the skills to facilitate meaningful dialogue on campus. In this role, you’ll be trained in dialogue facilitation and learn techniques for fostering constructive conversations across a variety of perspectives. Following the initial two-day training, students will work with other trained practitioners to develop and facilitate a dialogue project on a topic that matters in our campus community.
We’re living in a world that’s increasingly connected—and increasingly divided. The ability to engage in constructive dialogue with people who hold different viewpoints is critical to a liberal arts education, political activism, and a strong democracy.
Engaging across differences isn’t about agreeing with everyone; it’s about creating a space where differences are invited in the room. We’ve all had experiences of leaving part of ourselves at the door when we walk into class, arrive at work, go out on the field, and even when we get home. We know what it’s like to be misunderstood, to be seen as just one thing, and to wonder if we really belong. Dialogue is about pursuing mutual understanding, even when it’s tough. It invites us to be curious about where others are coming from and to express ourselves authentically so others might begin to understand where we’re coming from.
Community Dialogues, President Holmes-Sullivan’s signature initiative, is seeking students to lead the next step forward for this important campus work.
All students are invited to apply to to become campus dialogue practitioners this coming Spring. This program is designed to equip student leaders with the skills to facilitate meaningful dialogue on campus. In this role, students will be trained in dialogue facilitation and learn techniques for fostering constructive conversations across a variety of perspectives.
The two-day training will take place January 17 and 18th, a few days before classes resume in 2025. This training will be co-lead with Essential Partners.
Following the initial training, students will work with other trained practitioners to develop and facilitate a dialogue project on a topic that matters in our campus community.
We are asking offices across campus to recommend existing and emerging student leaders for this opportunity. Students will implement dialogic engagement projects in these existing contexts to bring these skills throughout campus to existing groups and topics. If your office or department is interested sending students to the training, please reach out. Students can also apply individually.
Program Highlights:
- Learn and practice dialogue facilitation skills
- Collaborate with fellow students to build a supportive campus environment
- Lead a dialogue project on a topic of importance to you and your group
Who Should Apply? We are looking for students who:
- Are committed to community-building and engaging across differences
- Have experience or hope to pursue leadership roles or community involvement on campus
- Are excited to learn, collaborate, and make a positive impact through dialogue
- Full in-person attendance is required for both full days of training on campus January 17 and 18, 2025 (Friday and Saturday before classes resume)
- Early move-in is available and meals will be provided.
- Upon completion of the training, students will work in groups to plan and facilitate dialogues on campus during the spring
- Students who complete the training and project will receive a $300 stipend
How to Apply: Please submit an application by December 2nd. Students can apply individually or as a group, if you have a project or peers you know you want to work with. We will accept applications on an ongoing basis until the deadline or when seats are fill. There are a limited number of seats in this training, so we encourage you to apply early! All decisions will be confirmed by December 5th.
Take advantage of this opportunity to make a lasting impact on campus. Apply now and be part of a movement for positive, meaningful change!
