Previous Programs

In 2022, The Dialogue Initiative and Office of Global Engagement invited students to apply to become a Dialogue Peer Educator (DPE) and receive a $750 award!

DPE’s were trained to facilitate student-designed dialogue-based workshops on topics such as social identities, communicating across difference, listening for understanding, among others. Once trained, they were equipped to lead customized workshops for campus communities, such as student organizations, courses, and residence halls. PArticipants received a $750 (pre-tax) award for their participation in the Fall 2022 term, with the possibility of continuing on in the Spring 2023 semester.

As this program was a partnership with the Office of Global Engagement, extended a special invitation to our international students to apply to join us. An international student was defined as anyone studying at an institution of higher education in the U.S. on a temporary visa that allows for academic coursework. These included primarily holders of F (student) visas and J (exchange visitor) visas. Participation in the Dialogue Peer Educator Program was equivalent to on-campus employment at approximately 3 hours per week for students in F-1 or J-1 status.

Program Requirements

• Participate in 7.5 hours of training early in fall semester
• Facilitate 2-3 workshops in the Fall 2022 term
• Attend regular meetings with DPE team members throughout the term (date/time to be determined based on participants schedules)

This program allowed participants to explore disability identity and culture in a safe and affirming space. This series used their experiences of disability as knowledge. Participants commited to all four sessions. Associate Director of DRC Sara Vogt and Disability Studies student Liz Thomson will co-facilitate the interactive sessions. Our team was committed to a dialogue that is accessible, inclusive, and welcoming of diverse students. The program was open to undergraduate and graduate students of all majors and academic disciplines.

Co-organized by:
UIC Disability Resource Center, drc.uic.edu
UIC Dialogue Initiative, dialogue.uic.edu

In academic year 2015-16, the UIC Dialogue Initiative collaborated with the UIC Office of Diversity on the campus-wide Words Matter! campaign. We had professional photographs taken of students, faculty, and staff holding up a word that held significance for them in some way. Then, this summer, we created curriculum and did test pilots with different student groups. We also finalized various graphic designs and the gallery walk posters, which will be used during the fall workshops.

We’re now very excited to debut Words Matter! this fall. We’re ready to engage in dialogue with students, faculty, and staff across both campuses. All workshops are free, open to students, faculty, and staff, and include lunch. For more information and to RSVP, visit: http://diversity.uic.edu/words-matter/.