Fall programming emphasizes dialogue across difference

For the last few years, Penn GSE has rallied behind the idea of “One Penn GSE” — from an ambitious building expansion that brought the community together in light-filled spaces to events and fundraising aimed at strengthening our community in a myriad of ways.

This fall, the Penn GSE community is actively engaged in a series of “One Penn GSE” initiatives, aimed at a central theme:  fostering a community that values diverse viewpoints and engages in constructive, respectful dialogue. Many events are centered on the One Book, One Penn GSE program.

Having just kicked off its fourth year, the One Book, One GSE initiative brings students, staff, and faculty together each year to read and discuss a timely book. This year's book is Try to Love The Questions: From Debate to Dialogue in Classrooms and Life by Lara Hope Schwartz. The launch event for One Book took place earlier this September, where Schwartz joined the GSE community for a robust discussion. Throughout the 2024–2025 academic year, discussion events will be held and centered around specific chapters of Schwartz’s book. The next One Book event, “Inquiry and Responsible Communication,” takes place on October 30 and centers on the research of Olivia González, George Gerbner postdoctoral fellow at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Penn GSE’s fall Community Circles, which create casual spaces for students, staff, and faculty to process and discuss complex topics, are also being held in conjunction with the One Book initiative. These conversations are facilitated by Raquel Arredondo, assistant dean of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging (DEIB); Tolulope Olasewere, graduate assistant for the Office of DEIB; and Lauren Scicluna, program manager for International Educational Development. The last Community Circle centered on the topic of “Cultural Competence in the Classroom and Beyond.” Upcoming Circles include “Political Expression Across Differences” on October 9 and “The Role of Academia in Bridging Political Divides” on November 6.

The beloved Visiting Scholars Speaker Series is in its 17th year at GSE. This year, the national scholars were invited to build their talks around a central theme — understanding and practicing dialogue across difference. Dr. Jane Lo, an associate professor of teacher education at Michigan State University, kicks off the series on October 16 with her talk “The Need for Grace and Forgiveness in Deliberation.” More information on upcoming speakers can be found on the speaker series webpage.

The community is also encouraged to look to the Paideia Program this year, which MRMJJ Presidential Professor Sigal Ben-Porath leads as faculty director. The program will provide a robust series of initiatives and events that lean into its long-time mission of promoting civic dialogue in pursuit of nurturing informed, engaged, and effective citizens.

Notably, faculty have been invited to participate in special sessions in September and October to help them prepare for difficult conversations across differences in their classrooms and beyond this fall.

Finally, earlier in September, Penn GSE was pleased to host a special session of the Education Writers Association on “Pressure Points: Colleges Under Scrutiny.” Panel discussions ranging from free speech on campus to the headwinds facing higher education institutions around diversity, equity, and inclusion brought together regional and national higher ed reporters (and student reporters) from across the country.