Please review the options below and choose your preferred breakout. Space is limited, and each session will close once it reaches maximum capacity. If your first choice is no longer available, please choose from the remaining options.
All breakout sessions will take place on Monday, October 20, from 3:00–4:00 PM.
Narrative 4 Story Exchange
This session explores how a university partnership with Narrative 4, a global organization that uses the power of story to build a culture of inclusivity and connectedness, has strengthened student capacity for dialogue both in and beyond the classroom. Grounded in theory and praxis, the session navigates how the curricular and cocurricular integration of Narrative 4’s facilitator-led story exchange methodology fosters the intellectual humility and intercultural maturity necessary to cultivate empathy and connection among students.
Measuring and Communicating Impact
This session will focus on how the Civil Discourse Lab (CDL) at the University of New Hampshire measures the impact of its programming on students. Since 2017, the CDL has enrolled 239 active volunteer undergraduate students who completed more than 2,000 hours of civil discourse training and facilitations. Dr. Renee Heath will reflect on how they selected outcome variables, how they quantify success, and offer insights for programs seeking to incorporate evaluation techniques into their programming.
Student-Led Facilitation in Practice
In this breakout, Colorado State University Center for Public Deliberation (CPD) Director Martin Carcasson will provide an overview of the CPD's wicked problems framework, and then students from the program will facilitate a values exercise as an example of a facilitated small group process. The exercise is part of the CPD training as well as an event they ran in the community multiple times to reduce polarization and build capacity for participants to engage across differences more productively.
Student-Led Conversations on AI: Empowering Campus Voices For Civic Leadership
This session spotlights how student-led conversations, supported by AI-powered listening tools, can amplify college and university voices as catalysts for civic leadership. Drawing on Cortico’s campus initiatives, we will explore how authentic dialogue surfaces insights, builds empathy across differences, and drives action on campus and in the broader community. Participants will gain practical strategies for designing and facilitating student-centered conversations that build civic readiness and strengthen leadership capacity. The session concludes with a call to action, empowering students to lead ongoing, meaningful conversations about AI and its impact on their futures.
Dialogue in Divisive Times
This interactive session, led by the National Conflict Resolution Center, equips students, faculty, and staff with tools to navigate today’s most challenging conversations. Participants will explore practical strategies for discussing divisive topics respectfully, managing personal biases, and fostering mutual understanding across differences. Through guided activities, the session emphasizes conversational receptiveness, inclusive communication, and active listening—skills essential for building empathy and leadership capacity on campus and beyond.
