Facilitating Diversity & Social Justice Based Conversations

Engaging students in diversity and social justice conversations remains a critical component for creating inclusive campus environments. This session will provide participants with an overview of a facilitation model that has been implemented with multiple student staffs. Through various activities and discussion models, participants will learn evidence-based practices for creating brave spaces that both encourage students to actively participate and enhance their multicultural competence.

Utilizing a framework based upon a variety of identity development models and learning theories, including Helms (1995) and Kolb (1984), this session, through an integrated mix of discussion and participant interaction, seeks to offer attendees an opportunity to engage in conversation around creating brave spaces for meaningful student dialogue. Recognizing that students have differing levels of understanding related to power, privilege, and systems of oppression (Helms, 1995), as well as differing ways of learning and engaging in educational environments (Kolb, 1984), the session provides participants with a replicable framework for hosting social justice and diversity based conversations with students and student staff. Participants will explore common challenges that may arise when facilitating social justice and diversity based dialogue, as well as learn techniques on how to overcome them.

Learning Outcomes

By attending this session, participants will be able to:

• identify at least two strategies for creating “brave spaces;" and
• define at least three facilitation techniques for engaging students in social justice and diversity focused dialogue.