Rutgers University–Newark Selected for National Effort to Foster Student Dialogue

Rutgers University–Newark has been selected to participate in a national program that helps faculty guide students through difficult conversations in the classroom and beyond.

Called Deliberative Dialogue, the professional development effort is supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York in partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). The program  is sponsored at Rutgers-Newark by the Office of the Chancellor and facilitated by the P3 Collaboratory, which focuses on helping faculty hone pedagogical skills.

Deliberative Dialogue is designed to support college and university faculty as they guide students in navigating differences in a respectful, civil way while strengthening critical thinking and communication skills—an increasingly urgent need as public discourse becomes more polarized and complex issues surface in classrooms across disciplines.

“The series allows instructors to create an environment where students aren’t just talking at each other, but are thinking together to find common ground on real-world issues. And I’m thrilled we can offer this opportunity to instructors at all levels,’’ said Ashaki Rouff, director of the P3 Collaboratory.

"The ACUE Deliberative Dialogue opportunity supports our deep commitment to student success. Students should experience a learning environment where they feel seen, heard, and challenged to think critically about the world, even in contexts where others may not agree,’’ said Rutgers-Newark Chancellor Tonya Smith-Jackson.

“Our faculty are already outstanding in creating effective learning environments. We are adding additional tools to support their efforts to foster meaningful dialogue so students thrive academically, professionally and as engaged citizens,’’ she added.

The five-part course  is also a valuable professional development tool, said Rouff, a professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

The program provides lessons on launching structured discussions, managing conflict, addressing misinformation, and guiding reflective debriefings. Faculty complete the series through the ACUE Commons.

Deliberative Dialogue also helps faculty maintain academic freedom while enabling students to explore different perspectives, said John Gunkel, Sr. Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Strategic Partnerships.

“It’s meant to create a safe, effective space for people to be able to express their opinions, share knowledge, and have those conversations across the differences without people feeling squelched or left out,’’ he said.

In keeping with Rutgers–Newark’s mission as a city anchor institution, Gunkel and Rouff see the program as another way to prepare students for collaborative leadership on campus, in their professions, and in the communities they will serve.