NC Student Dialogue Ambassadors
Launched in 2022, the NC Student Dialogue Ambassadors (SDA) Program seeks to:
- Mobilize a trained cohort of student leaders passionate about bridging divides through dialogue and civil discourse
- Help students build the skills and habits of democracy by engaging in deliberation and dialogue on the critical issues facing our state
- Empower students to engage in open exchange of ideas, especially with people who think differently
Participating campuses select two students to serve as Student Dialogue Ambassadors, plus a faculty or staff mentor to provide support. NCCE trains the Ambassadors in the fall semester in multiple dialogue methods. In the spring semester, each campus hosts four dialogues, plus a training for other students, all facilitated by the Ambassadors. Each campus receives an activity fund to support dialogue hosting and each Ambassador receives a stiped upon program completion. Funding is provided by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation.
For the pilot program year, four NCCE member campuses were selected. The Ambassadors hosted dialogues on topics such as trust, abortion, preventing mass shootings, mental health, the climate crisis, “Does your vote really matter?”,
women in society, food insecurity, and student support services.
2022-23 Pilot Campuses:
- Alamance Community College
- Elon University
- NC Central University
- UNC Pembroke
Pictured above: Alamance Community College 2022-23 Dialogue Ambassadors, Avery & Frank.
Pictured to the left: A flyer for the UNC Pembroke dialogue training
Currently seeking 2023-24 Host Campus Sites!
We are seeking three campuses to host the program for the 2023-24 academic year. The student Ambassadors, who will be trained to host and facilitate dialogues on campus, will receive a $750 stipend upon completion of the program. Each host campus will receive a $500 Activity Fund to support dialogue hosting. The Ambassador term of service is October 16, 2023 – May 1, 2024. Ambassadors are selected and trained in the 2023 fall Semester. In the spring 2024 Semester Ambassadors will organize and facilitate a minimum of four dialogues and one training for other students.
