Dialogue Across Difference: Fostering Civil Discussion After the Election: Faculty Strategies Online
The post-election period creates new challenges and opportunities for dialogue across difference. Drawing on different disciplinary traditions, Emily Isaacs (Writing Studies), Jessica Brater (Theatre and Dance), and Patricia Virella (Educational Leadership) will share their strategies for building connections and fostering dialogue. We will also review and discuss what to do when things go awry and suddenly the room feels very hot. How do we diffuse difficult moments without sweeping important conversations under the rug? We hope this will be a participant-active panel and a place where instructors can share their challenges and dilemmas as we seek to fulfill our mission as educators to foster productive dialogue.
This event is included in the Dialogue Across Difference Series, offered in AY24–25 for and by faculty as part of College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, an initiative by The Institute for Citizens and Scholars to nurture civil discourse, which President Koppell joined.
More about Dialogue Across Difference
Dialogue Across Difference: Faculty Survey
This event is co-sponsored by the OFE and the Office of the President.
- Date:
- Tuesday, November 12, 2024
- Time:
- 2:30pm - 3:30pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Online:
- This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.
- Categories:
- Dialogue Across Differences
Dr. Jessica Brater is the program coordinator for the BA and MA in Theatre Studies and the Graduate Certificate in Theatre of Diversity, Inclusion & Social Change. She served as a 2018-2020 Community Engaged Teaching and Learning Fellow, served on the University Senate from 2018-2021, and is the current vice chair of the Graduate Council. She is a leader with the multifaith advocacy organization New Jersey Together, the recipient of a Loving Leadership award from Faith in New Jersey and was recognized as a 2022 NJ 11 hero by Rep. Mikie Sherill for her community organizing work. In 2024 she was honored to receive the Outstanding Service Award from Montclair State's Office of Community Engagement & Partnerships. Brater holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil from the CUNY Graduate Center and a B.A. from Barnard College.
Dr. Patricia M. Virella, an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, has joined OFE as a Faculty Leader for AY24. Dr. Virella’s research focuses on implementing equity-oriented leadership through leader responses, programmatic interventions, and preparation. Dr. Virella also studies equity-oriented crisis leadership examining how school leaders can respond to crises without further harming marginalized communities. She seeks to answer research questions to enable transformation and liberation in school leaders, districts and policies.
Professor and Executive Director of the Office for Faculty Excellence, has been at Montclair State University for 25 years. Her areas of research expertise include higher education pedagogy, teaching writing, assessment, and public higher educational practices.