News

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The latest community news, opportunities, research, engagement, and more.

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Exciting IGR course updates coming fall 2024

February 19, 2024

IGR will offer a new course, while other courses will see credit adjustments and newly fulfill key LSA race and ethnicity requirements and the social science distribution.

Patricia Gurin receives Lifetime Achievement Award

February 5, 2024

Patricia Gurin, a professor emerita of psychology and women’s study who was a pioneer in intergroup dialogue, received a Lifetime Achievement Award on Wednesday from the Program for Research on Black Americans (PRBA).

IGR welcomes fall 2023 IGD Basics cohort into Community of Scholars

October 11, 2023

The Program on Intergroup Relations is delighted to welcome twelve University of Michigan staff to the program's Community of Scholars—Imani Barnes, Brandon Bond, Jesse Carr, Jozet Channey, Pedro Coracides, Lauren Davis, Heather Klein, Caitlin Posillico, Katie Reece, Katie Snyder, Andrea Wilkerson, and Christina Wright.

 

In the archives

IGR welcomes fall 2023 IGD Basics cohort into Community of Scholars

October 11, 2023

The Program on Intergroup Relations is delighted to welcome twelve University of Michigan staff to the program's Community of Scholars—Imani Barnes, Brandon Bond, Jesse Carr, Jozet Channey, Pedro Coracides, Lauren Davis, Heather Klein, Caitlin Posillico, Katie Reece, Katie Snyder, Andrea Wilkerson, and Christina Wright.

Chang (MPP/MSW '14) builds coalitions, better policy

May 3, 2023

In 2014, Stephanie Chang (MPP/MSW '14) was approached by her community-organizing colleague, then-State Representative, now Congresswoman, Rashida Tlaib, to run for office. Chang wondered if as an Asian American woman she could represent what was a majority African American and Latino district in the Michigan House.

IGR celebrates end of fall term

December 2022

Last term, students from across IGR dialogue courses came together for our final celebration, where they were honored with certificates and spoke about the impact of the program on their lives

Meet the IGR CoS 2021-22 cohort

August 31, 2021

Introducing our cohort: Meg Dobson, Sabrina Ervin, Jennifer Eshelman, Chris Gale, Clara Gamalski, Karri Grob, Tina Jordan, Felicia McCrary, and Danyelle Reynolds.

Fall 2021 Welcome from IGR Co-Directors

August 31, 2021

Welcome to fall 2021 at The Program on Intergroup Relations at the University of Michigan. If this past year has taught us anything, it is that our work as a social justice education program is needed more than ever.

Former IGR facilitator on learning about race and student safety

July 22, 2021

Educating students about the history of race in the U.S. is a matter of safety. For Chaddrick James-Gallaway—University of Michigan alum and former facilitator for the Program on Intergroup Relations—there was a disconnect between school policies that were implemented under the guise of making the school safer and who that safety was meant for.

IGR statement on Atlanta hate crimes

March 2021

It is with profound sadness that we write this letter condemning the horrendous crimes in Atlanta this past week in which eight people, including six women of Asian descent were murdered.

2020-21 Community of Scholars Cohort

August 31, 2020

We're delighted to welcome our incoming Community of Scholars cohort: Angie Stewart, Ashley Richardson, Christine Modey, Deborah S. Willis, Jessica Garcia, Joshua Thurman, Mikalia Dennis, Priscila Papias, and Sonia Joshi.

IGR stands in solidarity with the Black community

June 2, 2020

We, here at IGR are heartbroken and enraged over the events of the past week. For some of us, George Floyd’s murder in the hands of those who are supposed to protect us is an old – and personal – story. For all of us, it marks a new opportunity to recommit to the work we do every day – combatting racism and other oppressions in all forms.

2020 IGR Outstanding Alumnx Award recipient: Riana Elyse Anderson

April 27, 2020

Dr. Riana Elyse Anderson is the recipient of the 2020 Outstanding Alumnx Award (OAA) along with Michael Gardner. She was presented with the award virtually at IGR's 17th Annual Award Ceremony and Graduation Celebration. Riana has been previously featured on IGR's podcast DialogueUP!

A story on COVID-19 about Michigan students

April 21, 2020

Ever since the return from spring break, life has not been the same for University of Michigan students. My name is Smitty (they/them), a first-year RC-LSA student, and the Writer/Photographer Student Lead for IGR, MESA, and the Spectrum Center.

Becoming IGR co-facilitators with Bhoomika Gupta and Noah Bonello

September 24, 2019

Bhoomika Gupta (she/her/hers) and Noah Bonello (he/him/his) both became involved in The Program on Intergroup Relations (IGR) on a whim. Gupta, a junior studying psychology, took a dialogue course to fulfill distribution requirements while Bonello, a junior studying computer science, signed up for a foundations course because it fit into his schedule.

IGR Public Statement Regarding the Middle Eastern/North African Identity Category

December 7, 2017

We, the staff and faculty of The Program on Intergroup Relations (IGR) at the University of Michigan (U-M), support the student-led drive to implement the Middle Eastern/North African (ME/NA) identity category on all official university documents that collect demographic information. This initiative is in line with IGR’s mission for building dialogue across social group identity.

2017 IGR Outstanding Alumni Award recipient: Kevin Trimell Jones

May 1, 2017

IGR presented the 2017 Outstanding Alumni Award (OAA) to Kevin Trimell Jones at IGR's Graduation Celebration. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Kevin completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and a Master’s of Public Health from the University of Pennsylvania.

IGR alumni spotlight: Karriem Watson, DHSc, MPH, MS

December 2016

Dr. Karriem Watson remembers his IGR days like it was yesterday. Gaining an in-depth knowledge and understanding about social justice and dialogue from IGR has made a profound impact on his life personally and professionally.

Staff Spotlight: Roger Fisher

December 2016

For this edition of "Staff Spotlight", a regular feature where we share things you may not know about IGR staff members, we sat down with IGR Associate Director (LSA) Roger B. Fisher.

IGR's Adrienne Dessel presents at national conferences and collaborates with colleagues

December 2016

At the Association for the Study of Higher Education, IGR's Dr. Adrienne Dessel, PhD, LCSW was on a panel put together by Sachi Edwards, titled "Christian Privilege and Higher Education: Critical Perspectives on Interfaith Relations and Campus-Based Religious Diversity Initiatives" and her paper was titled "Christian Power and Privilege in Higher Education: Challenging the Dominant Narrative".

Off the cuff: Making and consuming food central to our everyday lives

December 2016

In this ongoing feature, we ask IGR students and alumni each month for their opinion on a fun question that relates to issues that are discussed within IGR's courses and co-curricular activities. This month's question is: "Why is the practice of making and consuming food so central to our everyday lives?"

Faculty Chat: Kelly Maxwell

October 2015

For this edition of "Faculty Chat", a regular feature where we share things you may not know about IGR faculty members, we sat down with IGR Co-Director (LSA) Kelly Maxwell. In her role, Kelly provides overall direction for the program in addition to teaching courses and leading several other projects both in and outside of IGR.

A Letter From The Directors (October 2015)

October 2015

This term, we are excited to be offering our intergroup dialogue course to 117 students. The dialogue topics this semester are Ableism, Gender, Race & Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, Students of Color, and White Racial Identity. We have also already had several students express their intention to earn the Minor in Intergroup Relations Education.

A Letter from the Directors (Winter 2015)

April 29, 2015

As students are taking final exams and preparing for the next few months, we are reflecting back on the past year with pride. Among the many wonderful achievements of IGR students, faculty, and staff, is that Winter 2015 marked the first semester of IGR offering a Minor in Intergroup Relations Education. We are very excited to be graduating our first two students with the minor in just a few days. Additionally, we have nearly 20 other students who have declared the minor!

IGR Student Staff Spotlight: Jake Cinti

March 2015

This month we'd like to tell you a bit about a long-time IGR student and employee who has shown a tremendous amount of commitment to our program. Jake Cinti '15 is majoring in Sociology and minoring in Community Action and Social Change (CASC). Read on to learn more about Jake and his IGR experiences.

IGR alumna Stephanie Chang makes history in Michigan state legislature

December 1, 2014

In November 2014, U-M alumna Stephanie Chang was elected to serve a two-year term in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing District 6 (Detroit along the river, River Rouge, and Ecorse). What makes Chang’s election to office unique is her distinction of being the first Asian American female elected to the Michigan legislature.

A letter from the directors (fall 2014)

October 7, 2014

Fall semester is in full swing and IGR is bustling with activity! We are offering nine dialogue course topics this fall to 107 students and we have three research teams. Additionally, our CommonGround team has just trained a large group of student facilitators who are already busily planning for student workshops this semester.

School of Public Health uses IGR model to form dialogue program

Summer 2014

In collaboration with IGR, the University of Michigan School of Public Health (SPH) is actively engaged in a five-year initiative to provide every student, staff, and faculty member at SPH with a substantive dialogue experience, including opportunities for students to be trained as intergroup dialogue facilitators.

IGR outreach director awarded CRLT grant

Summer 2014

Susan King, D.Min., Director of Outreach for IGR and the Associate Director of the Life Sciences and Society Program at the School of Public Heath, was recently awarded a Faculty Development Fund grant through the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT).

IGR's Adrienne Dessel Presents at Biennial SPSSI Conference

Summer 2014

This summer, IGR's Dr. Adrienne B. Dessel, presented a chapter co-authored with colleagues Johanna C. Massé, Doctoral Candidate (U-M Department of Sociology and School of Education) and Lauren T. Walker, MSW (U-M School of Social Work), at the Social Action and Change: Opportunities, Resistance, Inertia, and Mobilization conference held by The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI).

2014 National Intergroup Dialogue Institute Inspires Participants

July 10, 2014

IGR was pleased to host its 8th annual National Intergroup Dialogue Institute in June. Through the institute, IGR seeks to give colleagues from around the world the opportunity to learn IGR’s philosophy and techniques, so that they will be able to create dialogue programs on their own campuses.

11th Annual Gurin Awards Winners (2014)

May 1, 2014

IGR was proud to present the Patricia Gurin Certificate of Merit to the following graduating seniors on Thursday, May 1: Ronye Craft, Megan Fisher, Aliza Anis Hirani, Loren Lee, Blake Mackie, Melissa Manley, Eric Nagy, Ciarra Ross, Maja Tosic, Ozi K. Uduma, Jubek Yongo-Bure

A letter from the directors—winter 2014

April 17, 2014

Welcome to the Winter 2014 tri-annual newsletter of The Program on Intergroup Relations (IGR) at the University of Michigan! We in IGR always look forward to this time of year because it gives us the opportunity to reflect and celebrate student achievements, both in and out of the classroom.

IGR launches live webinar series

February 2014

IGR is proud to announce the launch of our live webinar series for colleagues and friends from both U-M and across the nation and world.

IGR In the News - Fall 2013

Fall 2013

Below are links to mentions of IGR in the news. Also included in this list are IGR-related pieces in the news that are written by staff, IGR alumni or current students.*

IGR 25th Anniversary Alumni Weekend a Great Success

October 29, 2013

The faculty and staff of IGR, as well as the IGR Alumni Committee, are so pleased to have welcomed over 70 alumni back to Ann Arbor on October 4-5 for our alumni weekend. Held in honor of IGR's 25th anniversary, this event helped alumni to reconnect with our program and see how it has grown since they were students.

What alumni are saying about IGR

October 10, 2013

On October 4-5, 2013, IGR held an alumni reunion in honor of our alumni weekend. It was a treasure for all of us to hear how IGR has impacted the lives of our former students. We thought we'd share some of these messages.

IGR co-director Kelly Maxwell and colleagues win U-M diversity award

Fall 2013

Congratulations to IGR co-director Kelly Maxwell! Kelly, along with Amy Harris (Museum of Natural History), Martha S. Jones (Afroamerican and African Studies, History, and Law), and Shari Robinson-Lynk (Ginsberg Center), served as the co-chairs for LSA's Understanding Race Theme Semester in Winter of 2013. This month, they were awarded a 2013 U-M Distinguished Diversity Leaders Award for their tireless work and commitment.

A letter from the directors—fall 2013

Fall 2013

This season has gotten off to an amazing start. Among other great programming, we recently held two events in celebration of IGR's 25th anniversary. With the help of numerous dedicated alumni, friends, and volunteers, we proudly held a very well-attended campus-wide symposium on engaged pedagogies and an alumni reunion weekend.

IGR's Patricia Gurin reflects on Civil Rights movement

August 28, 2013

People across the United States are remembering the experience of being part of the March on Washington, August 28, 1963.  Several of the most famous of the participants were interviewed by Time Magazine.  Their powerful remembrances are published in the “I Have a Dream” Anniversary Issue (August 26-September 2).

12 students receive 2013 Patricia Gurin Certificate of Merit in Intergroup Relations

May 5, 2013

The Patricia Gurin Certificate of Merit in Intergroup Relations is awarded to seniors who have demonstrated academic mastery in intergroup relations. The award's requirements include peer facilitation of intergroup dialogues, multiple courses in intergroup relations, and a high level of academic achievement in these courses. We held a reception on May 2 in honor of the graduating seniors who were recipients of this award.

7th annual National Intergroup Dialogue Institute coming June 19-22

January 9, 2013

IGR will offer the 7th Annual Intergroup Dialogue National Institute from June 19-22, 2013. The Institute is designed for faculty and staff nationwide who are interested in starting intergroup dialogues or are expanding and assessing programs that are already in place at their colleges and universities.

 

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