​The Bridging Differences in Higher Education Learning Fellowship is an exciting opportunity for higher education professionals to develop science-based strategies for fostering dialogue across differences. Hosted by UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, this free, 8-month virtual fellowship offers two participation tracks—one for campus leaders and another for organizations supporting cross-campus bridge-building efforts. Participants will engage in monthly sessions featuring research insights, practitioner-led discussions, and collaborative learning experiences. Applications are open until April 15, 2025. Read more in the blog post below.

NCDD Network Partner, Listen First Project, shared with us Resetting the Table's Campus Facilitation Training Program, a 5-month virtual course for higher education professionals to enhance dialogue facilitation skills. Tailored for those with experience, it provides a comprehensive framework for productive campus conversations, with expert coaching support. Ideal for Student Life, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion roles, the training includes ten sessions on practical techniques and collaborative communication, plus insights into RTT's Speaking Across Conflict workshop. With proven impact, this is a must for campus leaders aiming to foster resilient communities. Apply by April 14, 2025; starts in June. Read more in the blog post below.

​The National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation (NCDD) is launching an exciting initiative to strengthen dialogue work in higher education. We're calling on educators, administrators, students, and dialogue practitioners to help shape the upcoming Higher Education Dialogue Summit this June. By participating in our survey, you can directly influence the summit's schedule, agenda, and focus areas while contributing to a growing network of campus dialogue leaders. Don't miss this opportunity to make an impact—complete the survey and share it with your colleagues today! Read more in the blog post below.

​Colorado State University is investing in civic dialogue through its Democracy Small Grant Program, awarding over $90,000 to support democracy-focused initiatives. Among the recipients, the Northern Colorado Deliberative Journalism Project (DJP) is leading efforts to revitalize local journalism and foster community discussions. By engaging citizens, training student journalists, and hosting public forums, the DJP is shaping a model for dialogue-driven journalism. Read more in the blog post below.

NCDD Friends at The Center for Justice & Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) shared an exciting announcement. Mark your calendars for May 19 - June 13, 2025, when Summer Peacebuilding Institute (SPI) will welcome participants to its campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Applications are now open, and interested individuals can apply directly through the SPI website at emu.edu/spi. Read the blog post below for more info and for further details on courses, scholarships, visa support, and more, read on or visit the official site.

NCDD friends, the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, is offering an incredible opportunity for D&D organizations to host an intern from their Nevins Democracy Leaders Program. The Nevins Fellows program, presented by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, provides students with hands-on experience at organizations dedicated to bridging divides and fostering collaboration. Through coursework and immersive internships, students develop the skills necessary to facilitate conversations and work toward bipartisan solutions. Applications for the Summer 2025 cohort are now open, with a Friday, February 17 deadline. Learn more in the blog post below and on their website here. 

​The "Five Practices for Better College Discussions" workshop series began on September 25th, offering college students tools to enhance collaborative communication skills. Led by IF Collaborative Discussion Coach Cuda Zmuda, the session introduced exercises to help students communicate openly, compromise, and build on each other's ideas, even with new people in a virtual setting. Sydney McKee, a high school senior, found the experience eye-opening, noting it helped participants move beyond "selfish communication." The series continues on November 20th with a focus on moving beyond binary thinking, offering skills valuable for academic and personal success. Read more in the blog post below. 

The Institute for Democracy & Higher Education (IDHE) guide helps campuses support students, faculty, and staff through the often tense post-election period. It encourages defending academic freedom, sharing responsibility for setting post-election norms, and creating safe spaces for students to express themselves. IDHE also advises on responding to students in distress, proactively addressing disinformation, and preparing for peaceful protests, fostering an inclusive, resilient campus community. Ultimately, the guide positions elections as teachable moments to strengthen democratic engagement and discourse. Read the summary below and find the full guide from IDHE and AAC&U.

The Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI) by NCDD aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders in dialogue, deliberation, and public engagement. Launched after the NCDD 2014 conference, the ELI provides resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to individuals 35 and under, as well as newcomers to the field. Key features include discounted memberships, scholarships, interactive calls, and a variety of online platforms for connection and collaboration. The initiative seeks to support and elevate emerging leaders by facilitating their involvement and growth within the field. Read the blog post below and find more information here.