Unify America

⏳ The countdown to Election Day is on—just 7 days left! For many college students, this brings a surge of anxiety. As educators, you play a vital role in helping them navigate the stress that comes with it. Here are seven tips from Inside Higher Ed (https://ow.ly/ql9m50TWBS9), to help ease that tension: 1. Encourage open dialogue in safe spaces. 2. Help students limit media consumption to avoid overwhelm. 3. Promote mindfulness and emotional regulation techniques. 4. Reinforce the importance of self-care—rest, exercise, and unplugging. 5. Teach respectful discourse to manage heated conversations. 6. Establish routines to foster stability. 7. Remind students they can seek professional help if needed. How are you helping your students navigate this election season? #HigherEd #Election2024 #StudentWellbeing #CivicEngagement

A college president hoping their campus is "even more political this year" may sound counterintuitive, but that’s exactly what Wesleyan University President Michael Roth is advocating for in his recent opinion piece for The New York Times. Roth calls for greater engagement with diverse ideas and more open, respectful dialogue—even on difficult and polarizing topics. Instead of avoiding challenging conversations, he encourages campuses to foster an environment where students can grapple with differing perspectives. This is key to developing critical thinking and active civic engagement. Read his full piece here: https://lnkd.in/gGBYjRBW #HigherEd #CivicEngagement #CriticalThinking #CampusDialogue #StudentLeadership

In Deschutes County, Oregon, ordinary Americans came together to show how civic engagement can bridge divides and solve real community issues. Through the Deschutes Civic Assembly on Youth Homelessness, participants gathered to deliberate on key policy challenges, working collaboratively to find common ground despite differing perspectives. Their example proves that when given the tools and space, citizens can lead the way toward constructive solutions! 🔗 Read more about the Deschutes County Citizen’s Assembly and its outcomes from DemocracyNext: https://ow.ly/x2eX50TUVM6

We’re thrilled to announce that our proposal, "Using Technology to Engage Across Differences," has been accepted for the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) 2025 Annual Meeting: Reaffirming Higher Education’s Public Purpose! This panel presentation, moderated by Sara A. Mehltretter Drury, will feature Dr. Emily Stacey from Rose State College, Dr. April Bleske-Rechek from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Josh Young from Miami Dade College , and Michael Murray, President and CEO, The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, will dive into how innovative tech solutions can help bridge divides and foster productive conversations in higher education. In a time when fostering respectful dialogue across differences is more important than ever, we’re eager to share insights and tools to empower educators and students alike. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to engage with the incredible community of academic leaders at #AACU2025 #HigherEd #CivicEngagement #BridgingDivides #TechForGood #UnifyAmerica

We’re excited to share that Unify America’s proposal, "Building a Culture of Civil Discourse, One Conversation at a Time" has been accepted for the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) 2025 Annual Meeting! Matt Pollard will lead a research session exploring how fostering civil discourse through thoughtful, structured conversations can transform campuses and build a culture of mutual respect. We’re looking forward to joining the conversation with fellow educators and scholars to explore how we can work together to strengthen our civic muscles and engage meaningfully across differences. See you at #AACU2025! #HigherEd #CivicEngagement #CivilDiscourse #UnifyAmerica #ResearchAndInnovation

We’re incredibly proud of Arielle Mizrahi, Partnerships Manager at Unify America, for representing us at this year's Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN. 🎓 This week Arielle is sharing Unify America's mission of fostering meaningful conversations and empowering students to engage in civic dialogue. At CUMU, she shared how Unify America’s programs—like the Unify Challenge College Bowl—are helping universities bridge divides, foster respect, and inspire collaborative problem-solving among students from diverse backgrounds. Thank you to CUMU and all the attendees for a fantastic conference focused on building stronger communities through partnerships in higher education. We look forward to deepening our connections and continuing to create civic engagement opportunities for students nationwide. #CivicEngagement #HigherEducation #CivicDialogue #UniversityPartnerships #Collaboration #CUMU2024

How can we equip students to engage in productive conversations, even when they disagree? Inside Higher Ed highlights the importance of teaching respectful disagreement as a critical skill for today’s college students. In a polarized world, fostering spaces where students can explore opposing views without hostility is key to developing thoughtful, well-rounded citizens. Read more on how colleges are addressing this crucial aspect of student development here: https://ow.ly/sSxG50TQigc

🌍 Universities around the globe are embracing the power of deliberation over debate to foster free speech and deeper understanding on campus. The Stanford Social Innovation Review recently featured an insightful piece that highlights institutions like Colorado State University, Spelman College, Wabash College, the The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), the University of Victoria (Canada), Swinburne University of Technology (Australia), and Université Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC) (France). These universities are working to create spaces where students can navigate complex issues with respect, empathy, and an open mind. Deliberative practices encourage students to move beyond polarized debates and toward a more constructive exchange of ideas. The article showcases initiatives that help students actively listen, share diverse perspectives, and collaboratively seek solutions. Read the full article for a closer look at how these institutions are paving the way for more inclusive, respectful dialogues on campus: https://lnkd.in/gZy74AbR

In a time of deep political divides, certain civic skills can make all the difference in bringing people together. Which skill do you believe is most crucial for bridging these gaps? Cast your vote and share why in the comments below!

In a time when many students feel our divides are too deep to bridge, the Unify Challenge College Bowl is showing that real change can happen when people simply talk. Students are coming away with a stronger understanding of those who hold different views—and in many cases, a greater sense of empathy and connection. This kind of civic engagement is vital for creating a healthier, more collaborative democracy. If you’re curious about how our program is helping young people embrace respectful civic engagement check out the article: https://ow.ly/ovll50TMKPI Thank you, Kyle Forbush Forebush and The Globe for highlighting the profound impact of engaging in open, respectful political conversations. #CivicEngagement #PoliticalDiscourse #UnifyAmerica #HigherEd