Intergroup DialogueIntergroup Dialogue (IGD) is a unique diversity effort that began at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and is now found at many universities across the county. Program founders developed a specific pedagogy with theoretical foundations in psychology, sociology, social psychology, and student development. IGD has specific features that set it apart from other programs that promote diversity and social justice: it is structured and sustained (usually 10-12 weeks, meeting 2-3 hours at each week); involves students from social identity groups organized across race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, etc; includes experiential exercises as well as academic readings; and is facilitated by two faculty, staff, or students who represent the identities of the particular dialogue. Having served as Co-Director of the Program on Intergroup Relations at the University of Michigan for six years, I taught training and supervision courses for undergraduate student facilitators, developed curriculum for courses and co-curricular programs, consulted with other colleges interested in starting programs; facilitated workshops, trainings, and retreats; as well as provided leadership for the program along with the Academic Affairs Co-Director. I co-authored the chapter, Educating for Social Justice: The Program on Intergroup Relations Conflict and Community at the University of Michigan. In Schoem, David & Hurtado, Sylvia (Eds.), Intergroup Dialogue: Deliberative Democracy in School, College, Community, and Workplace, The University of Michigan Press: Ann Arbor (2000). When I moved to the University of Texas at Austin, I had the opportunity to work with the Provost, Chair of the Department of Educational Psychology, and Student Affairs to start dialogues on that campus. I served as institutional coordinator for our participation in the multiversity intergroup dialogue research project, wrote funding proposals for the start-up dialogues, trained teaching staff, and taught courses. My experiences at two institutions have given me a unique perspective. I understand what is needed to start a program from the ground up (at UT-Austin), and as the first Student Affairs Co-Director working with the Academic Affairs Co-Director at the University of Michigan, I understand what is needed to work collaboratively across divisional boundaries to grow and expand a successful program. If you are interested in developing or supporting a dialogue program at your institution, I can bring my passion and experience with this unique effort to your campus.
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