UW Dialogue Initiative

Below, you will find updates regarding the development of workgroups, advisory council membership, and campus approaches. As formed, we will share outcomes, indicators, and program updates. Please reach out if you have questions or to become involved: uwdialogue@uw.edu.

Summer - Autumn Report, 2024

Winter- Spring Report, 2025

Students, staff, and instructors are encouraged to get involved with the UW Dialogue Initiative. We are currently forming an advisory council and working groups. Please reach out if you are interested in shaping learning outcomes and the assessment strategy.

Upcoming Meetings

• Tri-Campus meeting: TBD (Winter 2025)

• UW-Seattle Advisory Council: TBD (Autumn 2025)

• UW Bothell Advisory Council: TBD

• UW Tacoma Advisory Council: TBD

Program Highlights at Bothell from Summer/Autumn

• First-Year Student Orientation
  • All incoming first-year students participated in a 30-minute “Community Conversations” session led by the Diversity Center during First Year Advising & Orientation. This session introduced students to the Constructive Dialogue Program at UW Bothell. Students engaged in dialogue activities as part of this session.
  • A separate 45-minute “Joining the Pack” session featured Orientation Leaders’ personal stories of how the Husky Principles impacted them, prompting students to discuss which principle resonated most with them.

Husky Principles

• • • Practice high standards of honesty and integrity
    • Respect the dignity and rights of all persons
    • Support freedom of thought and expression
    • Pursue ongoing intellectual and personal development
    • Engage in critical thinking and discovery
    • Improve our university community and the world
• Orientation Leaders and Peer Coaches
  • All Orientation Leaders (10) and Peer Coaches (30) completed the Constructive Dialogue Program, preparing them to promote the program and engage new students in meaningful dialogue.
• Student Leadership Training
  • As part of the September student leadership series, 112 student leaders and employees across campus were introduced to the Constructive Dialogue Program and practiced skills for engaging in respectful conversations across differences.
• First-Year Courses
  • The Constructive Dialogue Program was incorporated into the curriculum of 11 Discovery Core classes, reaching over 200 first-year students.
  • A section of the course “Dialogue, Disagreement, and Democracy” was offered in a hybrid format, and students completed the Constructive Dialogue Program.

First-Year Students: During Advising & Orientation Pt. 3, all first-year students viewed a message from the provost, completed a knowledge assessment, and participated in an interactive, in-person active listening module. The session, facilitated by a peer leader, was conducted in small groups of 30-50 students.

• An overview of the training is addressed in this short video featuring UW Dialogue Initiative lead, Megan Kennedy
• Provost Message
• Knowledge Check Questions
• Community Group Slides (see slides 13-22)
• Democracy Handout
• Short Video

• Current Students: Attend workshops hosted by LiveWell and in 25-26 will launch Civic health Dialogue Facilaitors.

First-Year Students:

• Building on a three year history that focuses on core values identification and dialogue during in-person orientation sessions, First-Year Students will continue to discern what values they hold most dear as they begin their UW journey. In the session, Pack Advisors (UW-T peer orientation leaders) facilitate a process whereby new students select their core values (Center for Ethical Leadership, 2002) and engage in meaningful dialogue around their values.

• New videos featuring UW Tacoma students discussing values and dialogue skills will enhance future sessions.

• Plans are in motion to extend dialogue efforts beyond orientation—targeting international, post-prison pathway, and transfer students through strategic partnerships.