Dialogue across Lines of Difference Workshop Sessions
Monday, Nov. 19 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. and 3:30-4:30 p.m. | CMU 205
In a context characterized by profound polarization, many of us are working to build and deepen students’ capacity for dialogue across lines of difference. In this interactive workshop, participants will experience a dialogue strategy useful across a range of contexts, discuss how to create a solid foundation for constructive dialogue, and receive information on a range of specific dialogue models and how to select one based on a specific course context and goals.
This workshop is part of the Faculty Certificate in Cultural Competency, but due to the timeliness and importance of this content, we are offering this workshop twice on Monday, November 19 and are opening the opportunity to participate up to all faculty and staff (whether or not you plan to complete the entire certificate program). The workshop will be presented by Sinda Nichols and Victoria McWane-Creek – their bios can be found below.
Sinda Nichols serves as the Associate Director of Minnesota Campus Compact. She has a background in counseling, education, and social change work and is an experienced trainer and facilitator. Before joining the Compact in 2013, she managed the Speak Up! Speak Out! youth action civics initiative at The University of Texas at Austin’s Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life. Sinda holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Carleton College, is an alumna of HECUA, and has a master’s degree in social work from The University of Texas at Austin. She also sees her time as an AmeriCorps VISTA in the Minneapolis Public Schools as a critical component of her education. She serves on the board of the Waite Park Community Council in Northeast Minneapolis and loves cooking, dancing, and spending time outside.
Victoria McWane-Creek works at Minnesota State Community and Technical College as the Interim Director of Housing and Residential Life. She and her partner Shawn live on campus in the residence halls with their dog Pinkie. Victoria is a doctoral student at Concordia University – Portland and is interested in understanding the role that campus housing plays in community college student success. She completed her undergraduate degree at Eastern Oregon University and graduate studies at UND. Victoria is committed to community service, and served three terms as an AmeriCorps VISTA. She currently is in her eleventh year on the Youth Advisory Council of the Workforce Area Board, serves on the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota Young Women’s Initiative Committee, and the Fergus Falls Human Rights Commission. She is an Art of Hosting practitioner, and Respectful Conversations Project Lead Facilitator.