Civil Dialogues and Student Success

The Civil Dialogues and Student Success (CDSS) Program is a semester-long professional development experience focused on building practical skills for navigating challenging conversations, fostering constructive dialogue, and supporting student success. The program culminates in a final project in which participants apply and share what they have learned.

Apply

Application Deadline
Friday, November 20, 2026

Civil Dialogues and Student Success Application

Certificates 

In order to qualify for a program certificate, CDSS participants must fulfill the following requirements.  

  1. Must attend at least 8 of the 9 workshops.
  2. Complete the final project at the end of the semester.  
  3. Present a summary of your project at one of the final two sessions of the workshop series. 

The final project will be an implementation plan detailing how you will incorporate what you have learned into your role at the university during the upcoming year. Implementation plans are to be submitted to the designated area on D2L by Friday, April 30, 2027.

2027 Civil Dialogues and Student Success Schedule

Date and Location Topic Meeting Mode

Friday, January 15:
noon to 1 p.m.

Introduction and Discussion Norms
This introductory workshop creates the foundation for the workshop series. Participants will establish shared norms and ground rules for safe and productive dialogue.

Zoom

Friday, January 22, 2027
noon to 1 p.m.

What is Your Viewpoint? 
Participants explore how personal core values, worldviews, and differing 

 Zoom

Friday, January 29, 2027
noon to 1 p.m.

Civil Discourse and Navigating Difficult Conversations 
This session introduces the ideas of civil discourse and examines how to handle difficult conversations calmly and effectively. 

 Zoom

Friday, February 12, 2027
noon to 1 p.m.

Academic Freedom and Free Speech

This workshop clarifies the legal and institutional distinctions between protected speech, academic freedom, and campus conduct codes.

 Zoom

Friday, February 26, 2027
noon to 1 p.m.

Designing Dialogues 
This session introduces six principles of constructive dialogue – such as consent, transparency, and emotional intelligence – and shares concrete methods for preparing, facilitating, and closing the feedback loop on educative conversations.     

 Zoom

Friday, March 5, 2027
noon to 1 p.m.

Science and Other Ways of Knowing
This session focuses on addressing diverse epistemologies while upholding rigorous academic standards.

 Zoom

Friday, March 19, 2027
noon to 1 p.m.

Mentor Meeting #2: Progress Review and Presentation Preparation

Participants share progress since the initial mentor meeting, reflect on what is working well and what may need adjustment, and identify next steps. Mentors will also support participants in refining their projects and preparing for the final academy presentation.

 Zoom

Friday, March 26, 2027
noon to 1 p.m.

Power Dynamics and Inclusion  
This workshop analyzes positional relationships among faculty, staff, and students and how to foster inclusive communication. 

 Zoom

Friday, April 9, 2027
noon to 1 p.m.

Difficult Dialogues in Business Classrooms 
Participants examine case studies on navigating politically sensitive, ethical, and economic topics with students. 

 Zoom

Friday, April 23, 2027
noon to 1 p.m.

Final Project Presentations – Day One
Participants will share their plans for incorporating what they have learned in CDSS into their courses or how they will apply the skills gained in CDSS to other roles at the university.

 Zoom

Friday, April 30, 2027
noon to 1 p.m.

Final Project Presentations – Day Two

 Zoom

Civil Dialogues and Student Success Leadership