Bridging Differences in Higher Education: Research-Based Practices that Build Belonging: Skill-Sharing Session #2 

“In our culture, higher education is one of the only places where there can actually be real conversations about difficult topics,” says Beth Douthirt-Cohen, a public health professor at University of Maryland, College Park. In 2017, the university brought in Douthirt-Cohen to build the capacity of students, faculty, and staff to engage with differences in power and racial identity in healthy, ethical ways. 

They found that when we’re equipped with mindfulness tools, it is possible to make higher ed a space where we can have a really difficult conversation and stay in it. In fact, mindfulness can help us feel connected to our agency. Instead of reacting, we get grounded and find the patience we need to make choices and even interrupt unconscious bias.

Join us for an interactive conversation with Douthirt-Cohen and psychologist Sarah A. Schnitker (Baylor University), who will draw from her research to explain how grounding practices like these cultivate our patience and exercise our curiosity, courage, and empathy. Hosted by Juliana Tafur, GGSC’s Bridging Differences Program Director. 

Register here for this free online event. Please note, this event has been standardized to the Eastern Time Zone.