9:00-10:00 a.m.
Opening Plenary with Coffee
UC Ballroom
Track 1: The Conversations We Need
10:15-11:30 a.m.
Skills for Civic Dialogue
How might we engage with others when we disagree, in ways that preserve respect and invite understanding?
UC 326
Facilitator: Katie Vaughan
Catalyzing Contributors: Christina Yoshimura, Libby Metcalf
Information and Trust
How do we know what or whom to believe?
UC 225
Facilitator: Michael Rohd
Catalyzing Contributors: Heather Vorhees, Dan Lee, Payton Gardner
Role of Higher Education
What does an educational system look like if its aim is to develop educated citizens?
UC 330
Facilitator: Alicia Arant
Catalyzing Contributors: Brian Reed
Staying Engaged and Healthy
What grounds us, helps us stay healthy, and enables us to participate in democratic practices during times of change?
TODD 203
Facilitator: John Deboer
Catalyzing Contributors: Soazig Le Bihan, Kayli Julius, ASUM
Local, State and Global
What happened at this year’s 猎奇重口 Legislature, how does it intersect with current activity across the Federal government, and what’s my relationship and responsibility to both bodies?
TODD 210
Facilitator: Kelly Webster
Catalyzing Contributors: Lee Banville, Amanda Cahill, Dave Kuntz, Kristina Lucero
11:30-12:30 p.m.
BYO Lunch and Discussion: Identifying Emergent Conversations We Need (snacks and drinks provided)
UC Ballroom
12:30-1:45 p.m.
Skills for Civic Dialogue
How might we shape public conversations on campus to make space for more robust and productive dialogue around difficult subjects?
UC 326
Facilitator: Katie Vaughan
Catalyzing Contributors: Adrianne Smith, Skye Borden, Leslie Webb
Information and Trust
How might we come to a shared understanding of the state of our nation amidst the omnipresent pitfalls of rumor, misinformation, and bias?
UC 225
Facilitator: Michael Rohd
Catalyzing Contributors: Amy Capolupo
Role of Higher Education
What is the role of public universities in times of political upheaval, stress, and change?
TODD 210
Facilitator: Alicia Arant
Catalyzing Contributors: Elizabeth Kamminga, Kristina Lucero
Staying Engaged and Healthy
Where and how can I channel my energy productively?
TODD 203
Facilitator: John Deboer
Catalyzing Contributors: Stephen Yoshimura, Tom Gallagher
Local, State and Global
What role should the U.S. play in key global issues such as trade, security, and human rights?
UC 225
Facilitator: Kelly Webster
Catalyzing Contributors: Clint Walker, Liz Barrs, Gillian Glaes
2:00-3:15 p.m.
Concurrent Emergent Conversations
(Topics identified during the lunchtime planning session)
Track 2: Creating Democracy
A set of experiential workshops that explore the relationship between democracy, artmaking and inquiry.
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Listening for Change: a workshop led by Composer/Sound artist and CAM Interim Dean Michael Musick (no sound/music experience needed!)
11:00-12:20 p.m.
Movement as collaboration: a workshop led by Dance Faculty Heidi Eggert (no movement experience needed!)
1:00-2:20 p.m.
Participatory Theater and Liberation: a workshop in the groundbreaking work of Brazilian Theater maker Augusto Boal led by Theater Faculty Dr Bernadete Sweeney (no theatre experience needed!)
1:00-1:45 p.m.
Singing in Community
Join UM Director of Choral Activities Dr Stevie Hirner in using your voice to build community through the power of music (no singing experience required!).
MUS 218
2:30-3:45 p.m.
The Rise and Fall of Democracy: Using Generative AI
A workshop examining the most prominent generative AI tools currently available on the market; their impact, how they can give voice to more perspectives, and potentially lead to more tribalism. Led by faculty member and head of UM E-Sports Michael Cassens. (No AI experience needed!)
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Closing Plenary with Coffee and Cookies
UC Ballroom
7:00 p.m.
Dr. Robert Putnam: “Making Democracy Work”
President’s Lecture Series - 2025 Lucile Speer Memorial Lecture
UC Ballroom