Stronger Together: Cultivating Respect, Trust and Skillful Dialogue

The SEAS Collective Impact Committee (CIC) is dedicated to fostering a stronger, more inclusive and connected SEAS community while equipping us with the tools to navigate challenging conversations effectively—skills that are essential within SEAS and the wider university community, our personal and professional lives, and the world at large.

The CIC hosts:

  • Community Conversations to foster open dialogue.
  • Additional training and practice to help our community develop and enhance skills for facilitating difficult dialogues.
  • Co-learning opportunities in collaboration with faculty, centered on a particular topic.

SEAS community members are encouraged to propose topic ideas for Community Conversations at any time.

Suggest a Topic for a Community Conversation
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Community Conversations

Community Conversations are dialogue spaces that provide an opportunity for us to express and reflect on our thoughts and feelings about the specified topic while welcoming diverse perspectives. This is a space for listening, storytelling and connecting with the SEAS community. Each Community Conversation is facilitated by trained SEAS students, staff or faculty and are guided by principles of restorative practices. Previous topics include student activism, freedom of speech and post-election reflections. 

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Facilitator Training

This training will teach members of the SEAS community how to facilitate difficult dialogues and lead Community Conversations. Facilitator training will be held during the fall and winter semester for those who may be interested in joining future trainings.

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Co-Learning Opportunities

From time to time, we partner with faculty who wish to engage in a specific topic that is an extension of a particular course. The co-learning opportunities are similar to Community Conversations and may include a larger number of participants. 

Three people sitting together at a table, involved in a dialogue.

Want to Get Involved?

SEAS students, faculty and staff are always welcome to join the CIC! Committee members take an active role in contributing ideas and providing event planning and support for Community Conversations and facilitator training. We meet bi-weekly throughout the academic year. Email seas-collective-impact@umich.edu for more information.