Common Good Conversations are an opportunity to engage in facilitated discussions on the issues you care about most. These events are designed to create a space where students, faculty, and staff can approach what may seem like a difficult conversation in a respectful, educational, and constructive manner. The goals of Common Good Conversation events are to promote greater understanding, to dialogue with others who hold diverse views and to form an educated opinion on challenging and complex issues our society faces today.
Common Good Conversation with Marcus Jones
A Conversation with Marcus Jones, MPA
Tuesday, Oct 22, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Hall of Presidents
JMU alumnus Marcus Jones, city manager of Charlotte, North Carolina discusses the challenges and strategies for managing cities in increasingly polarizing times.
Common Good Conversation with Dr. Shadi Hamid and Dr. Matthew Kaemingk
Pluralism, Religion, and the Challenges of Polarization in American Democracy
Dr. Shadi Hamid
Columnist, Washington Post
Dr. Matthew Kaemingk
Director & Chair, Mouw Institute of Faith and Public Life
Moderated by Dr. Kara Dilllard and Dr. Christie Kilby, Associate Academic Unit Head and Associate Professor of Religion
Dr. Shadi Hamid and Dr. Matthew Kaemingk discuss the current state of American political polarization along with the need for pluralistic resources
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Spring 2024 Civics Education Panel
How can K-12 civics education develop engaged student leaders?
Featuring Panelists:
Dr. Andrew Kohen - Harrisonburg City Public Schools
Ms. Kimberly Dove - Rockingham County Public Schools
Ms. Gwyneth MacMurtrie - Morven Park Center for Civic Impact
Ms. Hannah Hrasky - Scholars Latino Initiative, Harrisonburg City Public Schools
Moderated by Dr. Bryan Zugelder, Associate Dean, College of Education
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Spring 2023 Civics Education Panel
How Should (Future) Civics Teachers Navigate a Changing Policy Landscape?
Featuring Panelists:
Dr. Michael Richards - Superintendent, HCPS
Dr. Doug Alderfer - Assistant Superintendent, RCPS
Wendy Funes Martinez - Student teacher, HCPS
Dr. Kara Dillard - Executive Director, James Madison Center for Civic Engagement
Moderated by Dr. Bryan Zugelder, Associate Dean, College of Education
Tuesday, March 7th, 2023
Common Good Conversation with Jacquie Pfeffer Merrill
Free Speech and Our Democracy
Dr. Jacquie Pfeffer Merrill
Director, Campus Free Expression Project,
Bipartisan Policy Center
Tuesday, October 4th, 2022
