May 11, 2026 | Graduate profiles
Each of our graduating students has a different story, but they share a common thread: learning through dialogue and community. In this Q&A series, graduating students from IGR reflect on moments that challenged them, people who shaped them, and skills they’ll carry forward after graduation.
This April, Madison Palmer-Przewoznik (BA ’26) earned as minor in intergroup relations education and received IGR's liberatory education cord. In this short interview, she looks back on her IGR experiences and the ways her involvement shaped her approach to dialogue, active listening, empathy, and engaging across difference.
Q: How did the IGR community shape your experience at U-M?
Madison Palmer-Przewoznik: The IGR community gave me opportunities to engage with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. Through dialogue, facilitation, and reflection, I learned how to have more thoughtful conversations about identity, privilege, and social issues while also becoming more aware of my own experiences and assumptions. IGR challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and approach difficult conversations with curiosity and empathy rather than judgment.
What practical skills from IGR do you feel best equipped to bring into your work as a student, professional, or leader?
One of the most valuable skills I gained through IGR is the ability to actively and generatively listen. I learned how to truly listen to understand someone’s perspective rather than simply preparing a response. I also developed stronger facilitation and communication skills, including how to navigate difficult conversations, ask thoughtful questions, and create spaces where people feel heard and respected.
As a student, these skills have helped me collaborate more effectively with peers and engage more deeply with course material. As an aspiring social worker and future leader, I feel better equipped to approach conflict with empathy and work with people from diverse backgrounds. IGR taught me that meaningful change often starts with genuine dialogue, and that is a lesson I will carry into both my professional and personal life.
How do you think IGR shaped your personal values and growth?
IGR helped me become more confident in engaging with difficult conversations rather than avoiding them. It reinforced my belief that meaningful relationships and positive change are built through respect, curiosity, and a willingness to listen. Overall, the experience helped me grow into a more thoughtful and self-aware person, and it strengthened values that will continue to guide me in both my personal life and future career as a social worker.
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