President Robert L. Manuel > Meet Rob & Team > Dialogue Collaborative

DePaul Dialogue Collaborative

 100 people sit in round tables of ten in a large room.

Students, faculty, staff and community members gathered at an event organized by the Dialogue Collaborative. (Zoey Duchene/DePaul Student Photo Agency)

Dialogue is one form of discussion, grounded in curiosity and shared humanity, where participants explore a range of perspectives and experiences without the pressure or objective to agree or find resolution.

Guided by the Catholic and Vincentian value of the dignity of every human being, the Dialogue Collaborative is an interdisciplinary initiative that promotes respectful conflict, curiosity and deep listening. Through capacity-building trainings and workshops, events and curriculum integration, we are building a culture of dialogue at DePaul and beyond.

Stories about our work

DePaul faculty and staff gather at a President's Dialogue Series event organized by the Dialogue Collaborative in January 2024. (DePaul University)

Now in its third year, the collaborative has strengthened the capacity of DePaul faculty, staff and students to lead difficult conversations, made meaningful connections among the wider DePaul and Chicago community, and continued to cultivate a culture of dialogue. Read more about our work:

Programs across Chicago’s higher education scene help students bridge ideological, political differences (Chicago Tribune): The Chicago Tribune reported on our Bridgebuilding Fellowship, which trains students to participate in and lead conversations across deep divides. “People aren’t just their opinions, they have entire backgrounds and stories that lead them to those opinions,” Bridgebuilding Fellow Umar Ryan told the Tribune.
‘Dead Man Walking’ nun brings message of hope and activism to DePaul University (WBEZ): WBEZ and Open Campus covered an event with Sister Helen Prejean and Gov. Pat Quinn, where the Dialogue Collaborative members facilitated conversations. “Where else can you sit down with Sister Helen and a governor and a bishop?” attendee Renaldo Hudson told WBEZ. “For me, that’s the true reason for universities — to have moments like that where you can put theory to application.”
Dialogue Across Difference Podcast (University of Queensland): Dialogue Collaborative Faculty Director Elissa Foster gives advice for engaging across difference.
How to face difficult conversation head on (WBEZ): Dialogue is hard work, listening is often the biggest challenge, Dialogue Collaborative directors Elissa Foster and Dustin Goltz said on “Say More with Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith.” Listen the full conversation.

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For Faculty and Staff

Earn a certificate in the principles and facilitation of dialogue through Dialogue in Action.

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For DePaul Students

Connect across deep ideological divides and learn to facilitate dialogue through the Bridgebuilding Fellowship.

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Who we are

The Dialogue Collaborative works across the university to build a culture of dialogue at DePaul.

Elissa Foster, Faculty Director

Dustin Goltz, Education and Events Director

Georgianna Torres Reyes, Administrative Director

Meet Rob & Team