• ALUMNI
  • PARENTS
  • LOCAL COMMUNITY
  • STUDENTS
  • FACULTY & STAFF
  • A-Z INDEX
  • |
Caption Arrow

Annual Faculty Development Conference

Although we can’t gather for a faculty/staff opening workshop as we had envisioned and imagined, we are embracing the opportunity to try something new, something I think each of us – no matter our areas -- will find both timely and important. We are offering a set of virtual faculty-staff workshop options, each based on the Braver Angels https://braverangels.org/ model to help prepare our entire campus with the skills and mindsets for productive, respectful dialogue as we navigate numerous critical discussions, including the upcoming presidential election.
 
Braver Angels is founded on and inspired by the words of Abraham Lincoln, who not only called on Americans to summon the ‘better angels’ of our nature—but called on us to find the courage needed to pursue a more perfect union, ‘with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right.’ To meet the current moment, at this time of national crisis, we need more than civility. We need to challenge ourselves to work together when we disagree. We need bravery.
 
Two days of virtual workshop options will kick-off August 19 at 8:15-9 a.m. with a live, virtual keynote by co-founder of Braver Angels Dr. William Doherty, Professor and Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program in the Department of Family Social Science, University of Minnesota. While I recognize what an incredibly busy and stressful time that week will be, I sincerely hope faculty and staff will log-in and attend this 30-minute keynote, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A with Dr. Doherty.
 
After the keynote, all faculty and staff have options for learning and engaging more by attending the Braver Angels “Depolarizing Within” https://braverangels.org/what-we-do/#red-blue virtual workshop. The workshop is approximately 2.5 hours and will be led by the Wisconsin state Braver Angels coordinator Cameron Swallow. The multiple time options give you and your colleagues the opportunity to sign up for the time that best fits your schedule. The virtual workshop will be repeated at these times. Watch your email soon with links for logging in/signing up:
 
Workshop one: Aug 19, 9:30-noon
Workshop two: Aug 19, 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Workshop three: Aug 20, 8-10:30 a.m.
Workshop four: Aug 20, noon-2:30 p.m.

For those who can’t attend one of the above on these busy opening days, there are yet more options. Braver Angels offers 40-minute e-learning courses designed primarily for college campuses, something faculty and staff might also consider doing on their own and/or with students in classes, in residence halls, with clubs/organizations this fall. Check them out and/or take one soon.

Skills for Bridging the Divide 40-minute e-course:
 
Depolarizing Within 40-minute e-course:
Back to top arrow