Campus News
Building community through constructive dialogue
The Division of Student Affairs and Success is excited to announce a new partnership with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) to bring Perspectives—an innovative online learning program—to our campus community.
The Division of Student Affairs and Success is excited to announce a new partnership with the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) to bring Perspectives—an innovative online learning program—to our campus community.
CDI is a national leader in equipping communities to engage across differences. Through constructive dialogue, people with different perspectives seek to understand one another—without abandoning their own beliefs—in order to live, learn, and work together. Constructive dialogue is not about winning an argument or proving others wrong; it is about prioritizing mutual understanding, clarifying differences, uncovering common ground, and even creating opportunities for future collaboration.
This work is not new to DSAS: already, over 50 staff members and more than 250 Resident Assistants have been trained in the CDI model. Now, we are expanding access so that all faculty, staff, and students can participate in Perspectives, offered in an online, blended learning format tailored to students and employees.
“Creating spaces where we can engage across differences—with empathy, respect, and curiosity—is essential to who we are as a campus community,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Success Akirah Bradley-Armstrong. “These conversations strengthen belonging and build the dialogue skills we all need. Building a culture of dialogue takes all of us.”
What is Perspectives?
Perspectives is a structured learning experience, comprised of six modules, each approximately 30 minutes long. The program is divided into two tracks:
- Learning Track 1 (Lessons 1–2): Introduces behavioral science concepts to help learners gain the mindset needed for constructive dialogue across differences. Participants explore how the mind processes information and how people form values and beliefs. Includes one optional peer-to-peer exercise and a final quiz.
- Learning Track 2 (Lessons 3–6): Focuses on developing constructive dialogue skills through five guiding principles: let go of winning, get curious, share stories, navigate conflict with purpose, and find what’s shared. Includes two optional peer-to-peer exercises and a final quiz.
Why it matters
Perspectives is evidence-based and rigorously tested through randomized controlled trials. Results are compelling: more than 80% of students report increased confidence navigating difficult conversations, and 84% say the program helped them build valuable professional and life skills.
We invite all members of our community to explore Perspectives and join us in building a stronger culture of dialogue at UCSC. Perspectives will be available to campus community members through June 2026 and can be accessed using your UCSC Cruz ID and gold password.
Access training
Questions
Please direct questions or requests for information to vcsas@ucsc.edu