Case Western Reserve offers a wide range of programs and series to enhance civility and connection across our campus and community. Find past events below.
Critical Conversations
Critical Conversations is a monthly series sponsored by the Office of the Provost in which a panel of experts thoughtfully engage in "Critical Conversations" about important cross-disciplinary and often controversial topics. Each panel will cover several themes within the topic, such as historical, legal, societal, ethical, and medical contexts. This is followed by a rich Q&A session interaction with the audience.
Fostering Civil Exchange on College Campuses
Wednesday, September 11, 12-1 p.m. | Linsalata Alumni Center, Foster-Castele Great Hall
Panelists will discuss the rights and responsibilities of members of a campus community in freedom of expression.
Higher Ed in Political Campaigns
Thursday, October 31, 12-1 p.m. | Linsalata Alumni Center, Foster-Castele Great Hall
Panelists will discuss how higher education has been discussed and leveraged in political campaigns.
Mental Health of College Students
Tuesday, November 5, 12-1 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom C
Panelists will discuss the rising mental health crisis in college-aged students and its implications from a developmental, cognitive, and pedagogical lens.
Open to all CWRU faculty, students and staff.
Sponsor: Office of the Provost
Hard Conversations
Hard Conversations is a monthly series sponsored by the Office of the Provost that focuses on the art of having hard conversations. The events feature a panel discussion from experts on current issues and events in an informal "coffee shop" setting followed by small group discussions between audience members with an opportunity to practice their civil discourse skills in a moderated setting.
Affecting Change by Leveraging Your Voice
Wednesday, September 11, 7-8:30 p.m. | Linsalata Alumni Center, Foster-Castele Great Hall
Panelists will discuss the rights and responsibilities of students’ freedom of expression, emphasizing the importance of responsibly using one's voice.
How to Disagree with Those We Care Most About
Monday, October 14, 7-8:30 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom A
Panelists will discuss how to respectfully disagree with those we care most about on political and social issues, including how to respond when one may agree on the issue but not the means.
Mental Health of College Students
Wednesday, November 13, 7-8:30 pm | Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom A
Panelists will discuss the mental health challenges and their implications for campus with an emphasis on being one’s own advocate and supporting members of our campus community living with mental health disabilities.
Hard Conversations is designed for CWRU students, but all campus community members are welcome to attend.
Sponsor: Office of the Provost
Diversity 360
Discover Week: August 20–August 23
This workshop both welcomes all entering graduate and undergraduate students to a CWRU community that values diversity and inclusion and helps them join us with the skills, knowledge, and awareness needed. Early on we talk about the idea of dialogue as one of our key learning guidelines, “Dialogue is a process of genuine interaction through which human beings listen to each other deeply enough to be changed by what they learn. Each makes a serious effort to take other's concerns into their own picture, even when disagreement persists.”
Open to all incoming CWRU students.
Sponsor: Office of Multicultural Affairs
Civic Engagement Scholars Program
Engage in Meaningful Community Connections
Enrollment deadline: September 16
The Civic Engagement Scholars Program promotes active community involvement, responsible engagement, and provides students with educational opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of community issues, ways to contribute to social change, and practice with civil discussion about challenging topics.
Open to all CWRU students.
Sponsor: Center for Civic Engagement and Learning
Power of Diversity Lecture Series
This series includes distinguished guest speakers from the national or international scene and scholars from our own faculty. The speakers include scholars, thought leaders and diversity professionals whose research, scholarship, leadership and advocacy enhance the university's efforts to present diverse ideas, perspectives and viewpoints to inspire greater understanding and appreciation for inclusive excellence.
Jewish Identity and Antisemitism
September 20, 12:30–2 p.m. | Linsalata Alumni House
Chad Alan Goldberg, PhD University Of Wisconsin Academic Engagement Network
Advancing Religious Pluralism: Bridging Campus Divides in a Time of Prejudice and Polarization
November 21, 12:30–2 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Senior Classroom
Todd Green, PhD & Homayra Ziad, PhD, InterFaith America
Open to all CWRU faculty, students, staff and the public.
Sponsor: Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement
Muslim/Arab Identity & Islamophobia
Rescheduled! December 4, 12:30–2 p.m. | Tinkham Veale University Center, Ballroom A
Homayra Ziad, PhD, InterFaith America
Open to all CWRU faculty, students, staff and the public.
Sponsor: Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement
Sustained Dialogue
The CWRU Sustained Dialogue program brings together individuals from various backgrounds to discuss campus, local and national issues of concern, including diversity and inclusion matters.
Understanding and Applying the Sustained Dialogue Model
Rhonda Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Sustained Dialogue Institute
Option 1: Virtual Workshop Series
Thursdays, September 5–November 14, 3:30–5 p.m. | Register CWRU discount code: Free4sdcnDeepMember
Option 2: In-Person Accelerated Single-Day Training
September 8, 9–4 p.m. | 201 Thwing Student Center
The Sustained Dialogue process is a 5-stage peace process developed in the Camp David Peace Accords and published in texts such as A Public Peace Process: Sustained Dialogue to Transform Racial and Ethnic Conflicts. In this training, participants will:
- Learn tools and skills to effectively navigate identity differences on campus, like active listening, asking strong questions, and inclusive language;
- Practice using dialogue to talk about the things that really matter to you;
- Learn how to use dialogue, not debate, during tough moments of disagreement;
- Become a more empathetic and effective leader;
- Learn about the SD program on campus and how SD skills can help you in your role.
Virtual Workshop Series
Fridays, December 6-20, 1:00-5:00 p.m. | Register CWRU discount code: Free4sdcnDeepMember
Open to all CWRU faculty, students and staff.
Sponsor: Sustained Dialogue
How to Manage Your Emotions for Better Conversations
Rhonda Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Sustained Dialogue Institute
September 6, 12:30–2 p.m. or 4–5:30 p.m.
In this interactive workshop, participants will learn, practice, connect, and recognize ways to manage emotions in difficult conversations, including how to:
- Learn and practice techniques proven to decrease stress in disagreement
- Connect with communities, family, and connections with different views
- Recognize and express emotions in conflict
- Practice with word-stems that get out of difficult conversations
Open to all CWRU faculty, students, and staff.
Sponsor: Sustained Dialogue
Building Blocks of Civil Discourse Series
Rhonda Fitzgerald, Executive Director, Sustained Dialogue Institute
Tuesdays, October 1-22 | 1–2 p.m.
This new mini-series focuses on familiarizing participants with the critical skills and tools to manage healthy dialogue and conflict, give hope, and empower individuals to engage in civil discourse. In this skills-based series, participants will learn key interactive skills that build consensus through a civil discourse approach. Each session will provide an in-depth overview of the topic and time for reflection and large group discussion.
- Us and Them: Resisting Dehumanization and Polarization
- How to Manage Your Emotions – Practicing Self-Regulation During Conversations
- What Can Dialogue Do? Stories of Successful Dialogue
- Processes and Tools for In-Group and Affinity Group Conflicts
Pre-Election Dialogue Sessions
Led by trained facilitators, students are invited to join this moderated dialogue session about the upcoming election. Students will be asked to share their thoughts in a non-judgemental one-hour session.
Session 1: Friday, October 18, 3–4 p.m. | 213 Sears
Session 2: October 30, 8–9 p.m. | Cleveland Room, Thwing Student Center
Session 3: November 1, 4–5 p.m | 13A Crawford Hall
Session 4: November 3, 1–2 p.m. | Stephanie Tubbs Jones Residence Hall First Floor Lounge
Sponsor: Sustained Dialogue
Getting Along Before and After Elections
Non-Violent Communication (NVC) Method Training
Aysegul Keskin Zeren, PhD, Assistant Director for Student Experience and political science adjunct assistant professor
November 1, 12:30 p.m. | OMA Office, Sears 409
Want to communicate more effectively and peacefully, especially during election season? How will you handle things if your candidate loses – or wins? How can we learn to build bridges and not walls with one another? Learn the art of Non-Violent Communication (NVC) to express yourself clearly and empathetically. Discover how to handle disagreements with respect and understanding.
Open to all CWRU faculty, students, and staff.
Sponsor: Office of Multicultural Affairs
University Wellness
Building Connection and Communication
Heidi M. Weiker, MSSA '92
Tuesdays, August 20–October 15, 12–1 p.m.
Wouldn't it be great to be able to better manage stress in your relationships at work and at home? Learn new and transformative ways to improve response versus reaction, diplomacy and respect, verbal and non-verbal communication, and more.
Virtual series. Open to all CWRU faculty and staff.
Sponsor: University Wellness
Healthy Conversations in Polarizing Times
Thursdays, August 29–November 14, 12–1 p.m.
As we enter the final months of the 2024 election, we find ourselves face-to-face with polarizing issues and challenging topics. This group will discuss themes and topics pertinent to issues related to the election.
Virtual series. Open to all CWRU faculty and staff.
Sponsor: University Wellness
Everyday Anti-Racism
Love fiction and looking to spark your thinking and action on anti-racism? Come to an informal discussion with professor Mark Joseph to discuss a story from his recently-completed volume: Changing the Narrative: Short Stories to Advance Everyday Anti-Racism. Stories will be made available digitally to those who register.
Tuesday, September 17 | 1-2 p.m.
Curiosity: The Passenger
A routine plane flight has an unnecessarily tragic conclusion.
Monday, October 7 | 11:30-12:30 p.m.
Structure: The Dark Chocolate Boys of the Class of 2003
Five successful African-American classmates gather for their reunion.
Friday, October 18 | 12-1 p.m.
Perception: A Mother’s Awakening
A mother-daughter reckoning during a return home from college.
Tuesday, November 19 | 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Belonging: Doing It Our Way
A Shaker Heights high schooler disrupts the exclusionary status quo.
Virtual series. Open to all CWRU faculty and staff.
Sponsor: University Wellness
Coping with Current Events: Cultivating Attentional Agency
Daron Larson, Mindfulness Coach
Mondays, October 14–November 4 | 12:30–1:30 p.m.
This four-part series will help you manage your attention with mindful habits, learn emotional regulation through stories, develop strategies to handle stress from news and social media, and understand how mindfulness can improve holiday experiences and everyday life.
- More Than Calm: Mindful Habits for Thriving in an Attention Economy
- Inside Out for Grown-Ups: How Becoming a Connoisseur of Feelings Prepares You To Respond More Effectively
- Setting Limits: Navigating News, Technology, and Social Media-Related Stress
- Less Dramatic Holidays and a More Mindful New Year
Virtual series. Open to all CWRU faculty and staff.
Sponsor: University Wellness
Improve Your Well-Being Through Meaningful Connections at Work
Jessica Grossmeier, PhD, MPH
Wednesdays, October 30–November 20 | 12–1 pm
This series explores the science behind meaningful workplace relationships and their impact on well-being, offering strategies to enhance job satisfaction and balance personal and professional life. Over four sessions, you'll engage in discussions and practice skills to cultivate authentic connections with co-workers, guided by a skilled instructor.
Virtual series. Open to all CWRU faculty and staff.
Sponsor: University Wellness
Small Acts, Big Impact: Be Healthier, Happier, and More Successful Through Kindness
MJ Shaar, MAPP
Tuesdays, October 1–November 19, 2024 | 12:30-1:30 p.m.
In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, essential dynamics like collaboration, cohesion and validation are often overlooked, if not outright dismissed. This is a missed opportunity, as scientific evidence shows that these positive interactions boost productivity, enhance problem-solving, spark innovation and strengthen team spirit, leading to significantly improved overall performance. Moreover, research reveals that the benefits of kindness extend beyond the workplace, promoting physical health, longevity, and reducing stress and discomfort in ways that modern medicine can’t fully explain. Together, let’s explore the transformative power of kindness in the workplace, and learn how to turn “have a good day” from polite lip service into a reality. Let’s create the culture we want to thrive and grow in.
Virtual series. Open to all CWRU faculty and staff.
Sponsor: University Wellness
Professional Development Center
Building Bridges Across a Divided America
Friday, August 30, 2024 | 12-2 p.m.
Adelbert Hall - Toepfer Room (Second Floor)
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 | 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Mandel Center - Room 108 (First Floor)
In-person training events. Open to all CWRU faculty and staff.
Sponsor: Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement and Professional Development Center
Respect at Work: Impact Solutions
Thursday, September 12, 12:00pm (Virtual)
This session will give an overview of respect at work and talk about ways to earn and maintain respect. Tips will also be given to be respectful in all types of communication. We will also discuss barriers to respect.
Virtual series. Open to all CWRU faculty and staff.
Sponsor: Professional Development Center
Professional Development Center (PDC) Series
September 19-November 14 (Virtual)
This series will cover conflict management basics, navigating workplace conflict, and managing difficult conversations.
Virtual series. Open to all CWRU faculty and staff.
Sponsor: Professional Development Center
We’re All in This Together: Impact Solutions
Thursday, October 24, 11:00am (Virtual)
Embracing differences and finding balance has always been a challenge, but now more than ever, we not only need to work together, but we need to learn how to help one another and the workplace thrive. Learn communication that supports and encourages inclusion, connection, and diverse perspectives.
Virtual series. Open to all CWRU faculty and staff.
Sponsor: Professional Development Center
Siegal Lifelong Learning
The Two Americas
Wednesdays, September 25-October 30 (no class Oct 2) | 10 a.m.-noon
Landmark Centre Building
The United States is more politically polarized than it has been since the Civil War. This course, led by instructor Earl Leiken, JD, will examine the convictions and concerns of the groups on each side of the divide heading into the 2024 presidential election. We’ll explore the reasons why human convictions are so deeply held as illustrated in The Righteous Mind by psychologist Jonathan Haidt. We will then look at the composition of the various groups on each side of the political divide and what binds them together in opposition to those on the other side. Class discussion will focus on the goal of better understanding the attitudes and concerns on both sides and the impact of current trends on our democracy.
In person event.
Sponsor: Siegal Lifelong Learning
Faculty-Led Programs
Staying Real: The War on Truth—and How to Win It with Jonathan Rauch
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 | 4 - 5:30 p.m.
In this dramatically illustrated talk, the author of The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth explains the goals and tactics of the war on truth. He shows who's behind it and how it works. Most important, he reveals the inner workings and hidden strengths of our precious Constitution of Knowledge—and how to capitalize on them to fight back.
In person event.
Sponsor: First Amendment Clinic
A Year after October 7: Historical Backdrop, Future Prospects
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | 7 - 8:30 p.m.
This presentation by Hussein Ibish and David Myers will offer a multi-lens perspective on the lead-up to the brutal Hamas attack of October 7, 2024, and the devastating Israeli response in Gaza. Only four years earlier, the Abraham Accords were signed, heralding a new era in relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
In person event.
Sponsor: College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Office