Staff directory

Roger Fisher is the program director of The Program on Intergroup Relations and a senior associate director for campus dialogue education. In his role with IGR, Roger directs the program's offerings and operations, leads staff, and manages key partnerships and relationships.

Christina S. Morton, PhD is the curriculum and instruction program director at The Program on Intergroup Relations, and an associate director for campus dialogue education. In her role, she provides strategic leadership and administrative support toward advancing IGR’s mission as well as teaches courses focused on the training and development of peer educators in dialogue facilitation.

Donna Kaplowitz, PhD is the senior director for campus dialogue education at the University of Michigan, jointly appointed by Student Life and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. In her role, she provides strategic leadership across a campus dialogue portfolio that includes The Program on Intergroup Relations, Dialogue Michigan, a growing partnership with Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center, and related initiatives.

danny teaches:

• "Foundations of Intergroup Relations" (ALA 220)
• "Intro to Social Justice and Intergroup Relations Education" (ALA 221)
• "Processes of Intergroup Dialogues Facilitation" (ALA 320)
• "Practicum in Facilitating Intergroup Dialogues"(ALA 321)

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Imani teaches:

• "Foundations of Intergroup Relations" (ALA 220)
• "Processes of Intergroup Dialogues Facilitation" (ALA 320)

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Contact Charles about:

• Psychology and intergroup dialogue
• External consultations

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Sara teaches:

• "Intergroup Dialogues" (ALA 122)
• "Foundations of Intergroup Relations" (ALA 220)
• "Processes of Intergroup Dialogues Facilitation" (ALA 320)
• "Practicum in Facilitating Intergroup Dialogues" (ALA 321)

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Contact Larissa about:

• Administrative operations
• Facilities access
• Supplies, equipment, and other tools

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Contact Hailey about:

• Enrolling in IGR courses
• Instructional needs
• Mark Chesler Library holdings

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Jacob teaches:

• "Intergroup Dialogues" (ALA 122)
• "Foundations of Intergroup Relations" (ALA 220)
• "Practicum in Facilitating Intergroup Dialogues" (ALA 321)
• "Advanced Practicum in Intergroup Relations" (ALA 322)

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Contact Pat about:

• Research on intergroup relations and dialogue
• Social psychology and social identity
• Roles of social structure in intergroup relations

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Stephanie teaches:

• "Pop Culture and Social Media" (ALA 123)
• "Practicum in Facilitating Intergroup Dialogues" (ALA 321)
• "IGR Senior Capstone: Social Justice in the Real World" (ALA 429)

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Contact Adan about:

• Dialogue Michigan programming and operations
• Faculty and staff resources and partnerships
• Dialogue Michigan's catalog of practitioners

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Contact Patrick about:

• National Intergroup Dialogue Institute and consultations
• Community of Scholars (faculty/staff offerings)
• Tailored capacity-building partnerships

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Martha teaches:

• "Making the Most of Michigan" (ALA 171)
• "Leadership and Facilitation in Community Building" (ALA 471)
• "Life Design for Wolverines" (ALA 270-004/005)

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Contact Nick about:

• Branding, design, and communications and marketing initiatives
• Newsletter, social media, and website requests
• Press requests and storytelling

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Todd teaches:

• "Psychological Aspects of Intergroup Relations & Intergroup Dialogue" (ALA 270-002)

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Contact Nitesh about:

• CommonGround
• Dialogic facilitation
• Experiential learning

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Contact Deborah about:

• Co-curricular programming
• Research
• Assessment

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Contact Cesar about:

• Student Life partnerships
• Student experience
• Recruitment

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Laura Cencer is a program coordinator on the workshop management team for CommonGround at The Program on Intergroup Relations. She is currently a senior studying Spanish and Biology, Health, and Society, with a minor in Intergroup Relations Education. Her journey with IGR began with a CommonGround workshop during her freshman year, and has since been a CommonGround Facilitator and an ALA 122 facilitator. She hopes to continue learning and growing in IGR and help others grow in their social justice journey as well!

Pola Cohen is a graduate student intern for LSA's Race & Ethnicity curriculum requirement, supporting development of training materials and programs for staff and students. They are originally from Australia and hold a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, with a focus on Indigenous epistemologies and justice in research. Pola is currently a master's student in the School of Environment and Sustainability, specializing in environmental justice.

Tahlia is an undergraduate at U-M studying sociology and social work with a minor in IGR. She has been with IGR since her freshman year, and has since been a CommongGound workshop facilitator, has facilitated and participated in many classes, and is now program Aasistant for CommonGround, as well as an IGR friend. She hopes to continue to help IGR be a safe and inclusive space for everyone. 

Rajiv Edara is a graduate intern for CommonGround at The Program on Intergroup Relations, where he manages CommonGround Workshops. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Management at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. Rajiv is excited to contribute to CommonGround’s mission of social justice education across differences through dialogue. 

Danette Garrido is an office assistant at The Program on InterGroup Relations. They are currently an undergraduate student in the College of LSA at the University of Michigan, majoring in general studies. Through IGR coursework, they have come to appreciate the supportive and reflective environment IGR creates. Danette is excited to contribute to a program that encourages intentional conversation and builds connections across differences.

Sasha Hill is an office assistant at The Program on Intergroup Relations. She joined the IGR staff as a senior where she helps handle administrative and creative tasks for the office. She has since embedded herself in the IGR curriculum by taking ALA 122. Sasha is graduating in 2026 with a degree material science and engineering and a minor in international studies. If she could do it all over again, she would make IGR her minor. She hopes to continue to cultivate the uplifting and welcoming space.

Andrew Housman is the graduate student intern for communications at The Program on Intergroup Relations.

Olivia Jones is a Student Lead Coordinator at the University of Michigan studying Public Policy at the Ford School and is from Detroit, Michigan. She serves as an ALA 171 Student Facilitator and Student Lead Coordinator, where she helps facilitate conversations around identity, difference, equity, and community while supporting first-year and transfer students. She is passionate about social justice, civic engagement, and creating spaces where students can have meaningful conversations, challenge their perspectives, and build connections across differences.

Joanne Koulet-Vickot is an office assistant with The Program on Intergroup Relations, helping to handle administrative and daily logistical needs. Joanne values the strong sense of community IGR has helped build on campus, as well as their initiatives furthering social equity and justice. Joanne is an undergraduate student double majoring in political science and international studies on a pre-law track.

Philip Quansah is a graduate student research assistant at The Program on Intergroup Relations, leading research evaluating the impact of past Institutes and consultations IGR has conducted with partner schools and institutions. Philip is studying user experience research and design at the School of Information, and is also an LSA alum with a bachelors degree in cognitive science.

She is a fourth year student, graduating in spring 2026 with a bachelors in business administration. She is thinking about pursuing law school sometime in the future and learning more about business ethics and law to continue working towards making the world a better place. Her aspirations stem from her upbringing in San Jose, California, where she grew up in a diverse community and in a multi-ethnic and multi-racial family. This is also where she grew her passion for food! 

Madison Wood (she/her) is a student office assistant at The Program on Intergroup Relations, where she helps handle administrative taste for the office. Madison assists with planning recruitment events and curriculum development. Her passion for social equity brought Madison to work at IGR in 2024 as she believes the curriculum is very impactful for students. Madison is a History major in the college of Literature, Science, and the Arts while fulfilling a Sociology minor in Law, Justice, and Social Change.