Resources from the Sustained Dialogue Institute: Workshops, Student Dialogues, & Campus Support

​The Sustained Dialogue Institute (SDI) is offering several resources to support educators this September. On September 25 and 26, SDI will host a workshop to enhance facilitation skills for navigating difficult conversations in classrooms and mentoring settings. Additionally, SDI is promoting the free Unify America College Bowl Challenge, providing students with opportunities for cross-perspective dialogue. SDI is also launching the Campus Conflict & Conversation Helpdesk to assist educators with managing challenging campus discussions. Read the blog post below to learn more! 

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Capacity Building and New Resources for Educators: September Highlights from SDI
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As educators across the country prepare for the new academic year, the Sustained Dialogue Institute (SDI) is excited to offer several opportunities to enhance dialogic practices in classrooms and on campuses. Here’s what’s coming up:

1. Capacity Building: Educators as Skillful Facilitators Training Dates: September 25 & 26
SDI is hosting a special training designed to build capacity among educators. This workshop will focus on enhancing dialogic practices, both in the classroom and among peers. This workshop, held on September 25 and 26 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (EST), is designed to help educators enhance their facilitation skills for navigating difficult conversations in advising, classroom instruction, and mentorship. Whether you're experienced or new to facilitating, the event offers valuable insights, resources, and networking opportunities to improve your effectiveness in handling sensitive topics. Participants will engage in interactive workshops, role-playing, and case studies to refine their skills. Register and learn more here.

Key takeaways include:

• Developing essential skills for managing discussions on contentious issues
• Learning best practices from experienced facilitators
• Enhancing cultural competency and empathy
• Building confidence through practical tools and exercises
• Networking with peers across disciplines

2. Unify America’s College Bowl Challenge
In collaboration with Unify America, SDI is promoting the College Bowl Challenge, an interactive dialogue opportunity for students, available free of charge. The challenge encourages students to engage in meaningful conversations across different perspectives. The registration deadline for this exciting event may be approaching soon, so don't miss out! When students dive into the Unify Challenge College Bowl, they meet face-to-face with a fellow student who they might never get to know in real life. College Bowl partners include traditional four-year colleges and universities, military academies, community colleges, religious private schools, and HBCUs.

For more information and to register, visit Unify America College Bowl Challenge.

3. Campus Conflict & Conversation Helpdesk: Coming Soon!
As campuses begin their return this fall, SDI is proud to partner with the AAC&U's Institute for Democracy and Higher Education (IDHE) to launch an on-demand Campus Conflict & Conversation Helpdesk. This service is tailored for educators navigating challenging moments around democratic conversations on campus.

Our team of expert scholar-practitioners is ready to provide advice and support without compromising academic freedom or pedagogical goals. You can submit your questions to the helpdesk, and if you're interested in volunteering as a consultant during busy times this fall, we'd love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected].

These initiatives are part of SDI’s continued commitment to fostering dialogue and providing support for educators during this critical time. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your facilitation skills, engage students in meaningful dialogues, or seek advice on handling tricky conversations on campus, SDI has resources ready to help!