WDPD at Community-Engaged Alliance Retreat
Members of the Wabash Democracy and Public Discourse initiative attended the annual retreat of the Community-Engaged Alliance in Indianapolis to educate members on deliberative dialogue techniques and lead a deliberative conversation session.
The Community-Engaged Alliance partners with Indiana higher education institutions to strengthen the relationship with local communities and produce civic-minded graduates. Through programs, training, grants, consulting, and professional development,the organization fosters a higher education and community collaboration that propels students toward graduation ready to make a difference in the world.
Members of the Wabash Democracy and Public Discourse initiative gather for a group photo at the Community-Engaged Alliance annual retreat at the Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis.
Front Row (from left): Ricky Ballentine, Sarvik Chaudhary, Rodolfo Elizondo-Alcala, Cristian Cantu, and Sam Shockley. Back Row: Rowdy Farmer, visiting instructor of rhetoric and postdoctoral fellow in dialogue; Henry Young; Chayce Howell; Chris Zimmerman; Jacob Weber; Henry Chilcoat; Alejandro Cruz; and Chris Anderson, WDPD director and visiting instructor of rhetoric.
Chris Andreson, WDPD director and visiting instructor of rhetoric, addressed attendees during the morning sessions.
Anderson opened the morning with a discussion of the causes and consequences of polarization.
He discussed such topics as horserace journalism, the effects of the primary system, media fragmentation, and the lack of social capital and connection.
Anderson chats with an attendee during a break.
Anderson opened a discussion of deliberative dialogue techniques.
Part of this discussion involved using deliberation to address polarization.
The CEA attendees were an attentive group.
Anderson also discussed with the group the challenges to deliberation, including biases, reactions, and power dynamics.
The group talked through typical issues, creating space for a diverse group of stakeholders, and the dymanics of power.
Jacob Weber '25 introduces himself to some of the participants.
(from left) Henry Chilcoat '27, Alejandro Cruz '27, and Chayce Howell '27 chat before the start of the deliberation session.
Sam Shockley '25 (left) gets some advice from Rowdy Farmer, visiting instructor of rhetoric and postdoctoral fellow in dialogue, before he sits down to lead a discussion.
Cristian Cantu '26 (center) elicits a laugh from participants as discussions begin.
Serving as a note taker, Rodolfo Elizondo-Alcala '27 listens to the discussion at his table.
Howell introduces himself to the participants at his table.
Shockley intently facilitates a discussion.
Ricky Ballentine '25 listens as a participant makes a point.
Cruz was an active listener at his table.
The participants were active and thoughtfully engaged.
Cantu reacts positively to a response.
Elizondo-Alcala scribbles some notes.
Sarvik Chaudhary '25 (right) leads a discussion as Henry Young takes notes.
Chaudhary intently listens as a point is made.
Shockley's table freely shared thoughts with each other.
Here, Shockley listens as a point is made by a participant.
Chris Zimmerman '25 smiles during the discussion.
Howell listens to the participants at his table.
Ballentine reacts to a light moment at his table.
There was plenty of fruitful dialogue during the hour-long session.
WDPD members pose for a photo with Elijah Howe, executive drirector of the CEA, pictured in the back row, far right.