Testimonials – The Civil Discourse Lab

LEADERSHIP TESTIMONIAL

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE DEMONSTRATING PROGRESSION THROUGH THE CIVIL DISCOURSE LAB
PIPER GIBSON, PHILOSOPHY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE DOUBLE MAJOR

“This past semester I was honored with the position of the CDL Assistant Program Director (APD). I was considered for this position after a year of volunteering my time for the CDL and facilitating at CDL-sponsored events on sensitive issues, such as the Israel Palestine Conflict and Opioid Addiction. My experiences at these events taught me the value of the CDL. I have seen people’s perspectives change, a group become aware of the existence and viewpoint of other groups, helped different sides find common ground, and watched people from diverse backgrounds discuss societal issues that affect everyone, all in one thoughtful conversation. It was because of these experiences that I became interested in having a larger role as part of the CDL. In fall of 2019 I was offered a fellow position at the CDL. As part of this position I worked closely with professors to design and facilitate events at UNH and the Nashua Community College. Designing these events was incredibly impactful to me personally as I worked with accomplished professors to learn the complex dynamics that are at play within many difficult conversations and how to respectfully address them. As part of my position as APD, I track and encourage students to complete hours for the CDL, oversee work done by the CDL fellows, help write grants, manage recruitment, design events, and help coordinate between the various different organizations that work with the CDL. It has been truly inspiring to watch CDL students grow and witness their enthusiasm for the work that the CDL does. One student this spring, in her last semester at UNH, devoted 15 hours to the CDL so she could benefit from all the CDL has to offer and be awarded the 25 hours pin before she graduated. Several other seniors joined the CDL in their last semester and devoted their time and passion to the work, despite not having the opportunity to join prior to their senior year. Their commitment to the CDL constantly reminds me of my own feelings regarding the work that the CDL does every week at UNH. My passion for the CDL really grew during my first experience facilitating at the Stories and Voices Event, Spring of 2019 on the topic of Addiction. I remember, during the introductions at my table, hearing the powerful stories full of pain that many individuals were recounting. CDL not only created an environment where people felt safe enough to recount their stories and viewpoints, but it also created an atmosphere where groups could really delve into the issues and hypothesize how best to combat them. This was a very powerful experience for me. I watched myself grow as I facilitated the discussion and watched the people around me grow as they learned from the experiences and perspectives of each other.”

PIPER GIBSON, 2020 ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR

TESTIMONIALS FROM CDL STUDENTS

Elza Ribeiro Brechbül
Communication and Gender Studies Majors, Class of 2022
“As a college student, I get to ask and say things that go beyond majors and hometowns. I learn and share unheard opinions and histories on topics that really seem to matter in my community."

Jonathan Goldberg
Communication Major, Class of 2021
The Civil Discourse Lab is undoubtedly the most pertinent experiential resource at UNH, with an emphasis on teaching students not just to converse, but also on how to engage and facilitate productive, refined, and perceptive discussions across a wide array of complex topics.”

POP LACEY
Communication Major, Class of 2020
"Being a part of the CDL allowed me to open my eyes up to new experiences that I never could imagine. I have sat with doctors, police officers, scientists, citizens and listened to their concerns about domestic violence, climate change, and their community’s well-being. Being involved with the CDL gave me an opportunity to sit and listen to the concerns of these people and understand where their true values were. Being a part of the CDL also broadened my perspective on situations that I knew nothing about and gave me a better understanding of them. Overall, the CDL gave me an opportunity to better myself and allowed me to sit in on extremely important conversations! It was a great feeling knowing that I could be part of a change in some of these areas and that’s what kept me coming back and joining year after year."

MEGAN ROSS
Communication Major, Class of 2020
"I joined the CDL to gain experience with public dialogue and mediating/facilitating difficult conversations. I was a part of it since the beginning and learned skills that I know I will use in my post-grad life. I gained valuable experience and attended many interesting and eye-opening events and because of my involvement, it helped shape my interests and goals for life after UNH. One of my favorite events was Stories and Voices of Immigration. It was very interesting to hear from people from different parts of the world with different stories about how immigration has affected them. I really enjoyed being able to hear these stories and see how this topic impacts people in different ways, as well as the problems and concerns that there are with immigration in our country. Without the CDL, I don't know if I would have gained this insight and interest about immigration in our world. The CDL taught me important skills that I will consistently use in my future."

JACOB GARNER
Communication Major, Class of 2020
"Working with the CDL was one of the best decisions I made in college. I gained real world experience and skills like event planning and design, marketing ideas for events, recruiting for events, facilitating public dialogues and deliberations, and more. I know that the skills I learned and practiced in the CDL will help me stand out from other applicants in a job interview."

CARLY JILSON
Communication Major, CDL Assistant Program Director, Class of 2020
"Joining CDL was the best and most comprehensive experience of my academic college career. I enjoyed my courses so much and wanted to be more involved, then I discovered CDL. The best part about being in CDL was the ability to bridge the gap between academics and “real life”. I learned in the classroom what I experienced in every facilitation, and that made me so passionate about the work we were doing... because I saw it in action and I saw, and felt that it WORKED in its purpose. I’ll value, promote, and love CDL for my whole life because of the experiences, knowledge, and connections it gave me. To be honest, nothing could perfectly explain everything that being in CDL did for me. It gave me so many amazing and influential people in my life!"

EMILY BOURNE
Communication Major, Class of 2020
"The CDL provided me with the space to not only make lifelong friends by being involved in a meaningful student organization, but also to learn how to critically analyze difficult topics and facilitate necessary conversations in an effective manner. I think that the understandings and skills that I have gained through my participation in the CDL will be extremely applicable to my growth and development as an individual but also as a team member in any professional setting. Thank you to the CDL for providing these opportunities!! I can’t wait to see what the future holds and how my experience with the CDL will positively contribute to my future endeavors."

KATHERINE AUGER
Communication and Marketing Major, CDL Fellow, Class of 2020
"I loved working with the entire Civil Discourse Lab team. The CDL was such an amazing part of my experience here at UNH. I never imagined myself getting involved in something so meaningful, thoughtful, and impactful, and I'm so glad I was able to contribute to this fantastic lab. I've learned so much about myself, the community, and communication. I can, without a doubt, say that I use the skills I've gained from the CDL every single day."

LAUREN WILLIAMSON
Communication Major, CDL Fellow, Class of 2020
"When I started here at UNH, I was sure that I would just be walking away with a degree and I would spend two years fending for myself. Being a part of the CDL and now being a Treat Fellow have profoundly affected my experience both at UNH and as a member of the academic community. I cannot find all the words to truly describe how thankful I am for the opportunities to work with you and study in your courses. Nor can I tell you how validating this first semester has been."

SAM DAVIDSON
Communication Major, CDL Fellow, Class of 2019
"The foundation of the CDL has greatly reinforced my understanding of the concepts I have learned in my classes. Because of this program, I have confidence not only in my skills as a communicator and facilitator, but also in my ability to speak publically and demonstrate my leadership abilities in a respectful, inclusive manner, maintaining the dignity of those I engage with, a philosophy demonstrated and encouraged by faculty.”

LUCY KLEMARCZYK
Communication Major, CDL Assistant Program Director, Class of 2018
“Just wanted to share this with you. Classes like yours prepared me so well for the job I have...Nothing on my resume was worth my work with the CDL.”

PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS

JACK LANNAMANN
UNH Communication Professor
“Throughout the semester, our seminar members benefited from a growing cross-pollination of ideas and experiences made possible by the CDL. Several students took part in CDL events or were active members of the CDL and those students brought novel ideas and concrete examples from their experiences. This enhanced the course and is a clear demonstration that the CDL is providing not only a service to the broader community, but also a significant educational benefit to our students."

FOR FREEDOMS EVENTS
Fall 2019

"Very interesting to me to hear others open minded thoughts."
"UNH has very thoughtful students"
"I learned a lot about how to think about the many different freedoms we have in society"
"I learned the stories of people"
"Discussion moderators did a great job"
"The engagement of conversation was done well, everyone had a chance to express thoughts."
"Everyone gave others time to speak"

STORIES AND VOICES SERIES: AN INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE ENGAGING THE STIGMA OF ADDICTION & STORIES OF HOPE
Spring 2018

“This was great. Never been to anything like it at UNH!”
“Had many different proposed solutions from so many great minds coming together.”
“Amazing program!”
“Great facilitators!”
“It was great to have experts.”
“The facilitator at the table was great at facilitating."
“Keep it up! What’s the next subject?"
"Thank you, important topic, appreciate facilitation.”
“I learned about policies that need to be changed.”
“I learned so much that I didn’t know but [what] was most interesting was others’ opinions and perspectives.”
“A lot of the facts in the program book were cool.”
“The questions were thought- provoking; the ground rules set a beautiful tone of respect and curiosity that we wove through the night—as well as a tone of understanding. Thank you."
“More events, loved it!”

DECONSTRUCTING OUR STORIES: ISRAEL & PALESTINE
Fall 2019

“I learned the thoughts of people from different background[s] on this topic.”
“I learned a lot.”
“[The Program Guide] guided conversation but did not define it.”
“It was reaffirmed to me that similar backgrounds don’t have to mean similar opinions.”
“Having civil discussions with those who hold opposing views is uncommon, I learned we agree on much more.”
“The prompts and facilitators were helpful.”
“I learned some new vocabulary and historical events from the new point of the other ‘side’.”
“I came to this ignorant and I’m pleased to say I know a bit more.”
“Facilitators kept the program moving and did a good job organizing/speaking.”
“The programs and timeline were phenomenally organized and helpful to the discussion.

BECOMING AMERICAN SERIES
Fall 2019

“Profound films with multiple perspectives. Small group discussion was a great sharing experience.”
“Excellent UNH leader!”
“Small group: Profound. We could SEE each other and have more opportunities to interact - I didn’t want our discussion to end. PLEASE organize it this way in the future! Only regret is that I didn’t have a time turner because I really would have liked to be part of ALL the groups.”
“The process was welcoming. I loved the stories people told.”