As a land-grant university, NC State’s mission is to be at the forefront of innovation in addressing the needs of society. The dangerous polarization of American society is a starkly critical social need. Polarization is reshaping our democracy into factions divided by fear and loss of connection with those of a different world view. The Campus Conversations Project addresses this need, engaging our widely diverse campus in conversations across differences while developing the key academic and interpersonal skills of critical thinking, cultural competency, empathy, and self-awareness.

Goals:

• Provide a framework for civic conversations on campus and across the State of NC
• Cultivate a campus culture built on mutuality, respect, and democratic citizenship/engagement. 
• Equip students with skills as citizens and as leaders of systems into which they graduate: businesses, organizations, communities, and families.