46. Will Civil Discourse Be on the Back to School Syllabus?

Back to School, Back to Standoffs? CDI's Mission for Civil Discourse on College Campuses.

As the back to school season begins, fostering real dialogue amongst students, faculty, and the broader community on college campuses has never been more urgent. In this episode, we spotlight the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) and its mission to promote civil discourse in higher education. 

Our guest, Mary Aviles, Insights & Experience Lead at CDI, reveals the critical behind-the-scenes work—like updating campus protest policies—that ensures fairness and readiness when conflicts arise. She also introduces CDI’s ‘Perspectives’ program, where students with different viewpoints practise tough conversations in a safe, peer-to-peer environment. A core principle of CDI, “letting go of winning,” is highlighted as a means to shift from debate to dialogue, nurturing relationships built on understanding rather than competition. With global tensions high and a heated U.S. election on the horizon, the need for constructive campus dialogue is clear. Discover how CDI is helping to transform debates into meaningful, relationship-building discussions. 

Higher Ed Spotlight is sponsored by Chegg’s Center for Digital Learning and aims to explore the future of higher education. It is produced by Antica Productions.