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UGA diversity initiative includes dialogue training

Photo of the Arch.

(Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)

A University of Georgia pilot program launching this month involving faculty and staff will further the university’s efforts to foster a more welcoming and supportive campus community.

Based on recommendations issued by the Presidential Taskforce on Race, Ethnicity, and Community, a committee established by UGA President Jere W. Morehead in 2020, the university is implementing a pilot Reflective Structured Dialogue (RSD) training, beginning this year with two groups of UGA faculty and staff.

RSD builds the capacity of communities and organizations to engage, live and thrive despite their differences through a dialogue process that shifts the goal of conversation from problem solving to mutual understanding.

This pilot training is designed to equip faculty and staff with the knowledge to incorporate these dialogue skills into their respective units across campus.

Individuals selected for the pilot groups represent a cross-section of UGA’s various schools, colleges and units and were nominated by their respective deans and vice presidents.

Taking place in a virtual format over two days, the first group will complete the pilot program in April and the second will complete the program in May. Following completion of the training, UGA will conduct evaluations to assess how faculty and staff apply the principles and processes learned through this pilot program.

The UGA Office of the President is providing financial support for the pilot program, which will be conducted by the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach.

The following UGA faculty and staff have been nominated to participate in this pilot program:

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