Washington University in St. Louis

Food is a unifier. It’s easier to find common ground while sharing a meal with someone with a different perspective than when embroiled in a social media debate or a heated protest. Universities are turning to dialogue dinners to unite campus actors across generations and from different ideological standpoints. Often led by a trained facilitator, these dinners get people talking about pressing issues of our time and more theoretical questions about personal values.

Inaugural progress report highlights the remarkable strides college presidents have made in fostering free expression, critical inquiry, and civil discourse during an exceptionally challenging year for higher education.

10 presidents join the consortium of leaders of diverse institutions from across the country who are uniting to advance higher education’s pivotal role in preparing students to be engaged citizens.