{"id":5258,"date":"2026-08-18T13:09:56","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T18:09:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/community-empowerment-institutional-inclusivity\/?page_id=5258"},"modified":"2026-08-25T10:41:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T15:41:59","slug":"at-the-table-dialogues","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/community-empowerment-institutional-inclusivity\/capacity-building\/at-the-table-dialogues\/","title":{"rendered":"At the Table Dialogues"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Program Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the Table is a program designed to promote civil dialogue at UWM and build facilitation skills among students and professors. Undergraduate students and instructors are selected to participate in the year-long facilitator cohort. Each student is paired with a faculty mentor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All cohort participants complete dialogue facilitation training during the fall semester. Then each student\u2013faculty mentor pair works together to plan a small-group dialogue event, which they co-lead on campus twice during the spring semester. These <\/em>At the Table dialogues provide opportunities for UWM community members to gather over meals for meaningful conversation and respectful, open exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participate in Facilitation Training<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are you interested in learning more about dialogue and strengthening your facilitation skills? We are currently recruiting 6 undergraduate students and 6 faculty or instructional academic staff members for the 2026\u201327 At the Table cohort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apply by Friday, September 25.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We welcome applications from instructors and students who already know they would like to work together in this project; each person should indicate on the application whom they’d like to be paired with. We also welcome individual applicants and will match students and mentors as needed. To ensure broad representation across campus, the selection process prioritizes disciplinary diversity. Accepted applicants will be notified by Monday, October 5.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nApply for 2026\u201327 At the Table cohort<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What You’ll Gain from Participating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  • Practical skills in facilitation, active listening, and inclusive leadership<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Hands-on experience leading constructive dialogue<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Connections with other UWM students, staff, and faculty committed to dialogue<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Faculty mentors will each receive a stipend of $1000<\/strong>, which will be paid through payroll following the completion of all required activities. Each participating student will be hired as a Civil Dialogue Fellow and paid $14 per hour<\/strong> for up to 75 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Participant Responsibilities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    • Attend dialogue facilitator trainings in October and November. These will include: an initial in-person training over lunch on Friday, October 16, 11:30am\u20131:30pm;<\/strong> and two additional hour-long trainings that may be completed in person or online.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Learn more about civil dialogue through readings, additional research, and\/or attending other dialogue events on campus.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • As a student\u2013mentor pair, collaboratively plan a small group dialogue on a topic of your choice. This will require meeting several times as a student\u2013mentor pair, as well as participating in a cohort check-in meeting during January. CEII program staff will be available for consultations and planning support as needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • As a student\u2013mentor pair, co-facilitate your dialogue twice<\/strong> <\/em>for interested members of the UWM community to attend. CEII will provide logistical and marketing support, as well as funding for each dialogue event to include a meal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Attend a debriefing session at the end of the program and complete a final assessment survey.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Attend a Dialogue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      At the Table Dialogues will be held during the Spring 2027 semester. More details will be posted here by early February, once the schedule of events is finalized. Check back later to see what dialogues are happening… and register to attend one that matches your interests and schedule!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Civil Dialogue at UWM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Civil dialogue programming at UWM provides opportunities for students, staff and faculty to deepen understanding, refine their perspectives and build community across campus. Previous initiatives have included the Fall 2024 Discovery Dialogues, the Spring 2025 Dinner Dialogues, and the Spring 2026 At the Table Dialogues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This video features students and leaders who were part of the Spring 2025 Dinner Dialogues. Hear from them to learn more about the experience of dialogue and why you might want to participate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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