The ACC Service-Learning Program, in collaboration with Interfaith Action of Central Texas, invites you to an on-campus conversation event on the topic, "Working through Conflict"! Austin Community College (ACC) employees, students, employers, and community are invited to attend this free in-person event. Registration is required.
"Experiencing a discussion and listening event that allows everyone to grow was such a great time." --Anonymous spring 2023 student participant
"Working through Conflict"
ACC's Center for Peace and Conflict Studies program notes that "Conflict is a natural part of every relationship that can be either a destructive force or a stimulus for creating constructive change. We can learn how to respond in ways that maximize conflict’s potential for positive change. "
In this conversation event, we will work with Interfaith Action of Central Texas to discuss our experiences with conflict, and we will practice listening in ways that encourage mutual understanding. Each conversation is centered on moderated small group discussions that are genuinely respectful and safe. No one has to be an expert. Individual participants are invited to share from their personal experiences and listen with their hearts.
Shirin Catterson Khosropour holds a B.A. and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. She is ACC’s founder and director of the Center for Peace & Conflict Studies and a professor of Psychology. Shirin has earned certificates in Global Conflict Analysis, International Humanitarian Law, and International Conflict Management from the Johns Hopkins Bologna Institute for Peace & Security. In 2012, the American Red Cross appointed her an International Humanitarian Law Teaching Fellow. She has been awarded several teaching and leadership awards.An educational psychologist, Shirin’s work focuses on peace and conflict in cross-cultural contexts. A former community college student herself, Shirin strives to expand the reach of peace and conflict education in higher education. Her work has culminated in establishing relationships between the College’s academic disciplines and community organizations and the populations they serve.
What is the Red Bench?
Interfaith Action of Central Texas describes the Red Bench as "an ongoing dialogue program designed to address one of the most pressing needs of our time: improving interfaith understanding and civil discourse in our society. Each conversation is centered on moderated small group discussions that are genuinely respectful and safe. No one has to be an expert. Individual participants are invited to share from their personal experiences and listen with their hearts. The format is structured and allows each individual to be heard. Each table is 'hosted' by one or two table hosts," which will be our very own ACC Social Psychology students!
What should I expect at the Red Bench event?
The Red Bench is a table conversation, not a debate. You can expect to share your own experiences and listen to the experiences of others. Upon arrival, you may join a table of 6 people for a light buffet-style dinner from 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM, with music from our ACC Student String Quartet. Vegetarian meal options are provided. We encourage you to sit with people you don't know! Then our speaker will briefly frame the topic of conversation for the evening. Our partner, Interfaith Action of Central Texas, will provide instructions for the structured conversation, and trained ACC students will host the conversation at each table. The conversation will last one hour, from around 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM, then each table will have the opportunity to share highlights with the larger group. We will adjourn at 8:00 PM.
Why should I participate?
Last year, 100% of respondents felt highly or extremely welcomed at the event, and 100% would recommend it to a friend or colleague. Here's what students were saying:
"I absolutely loved how kind everyone was, even when a conversation took a difficult turn. People still tried their best to give other people their attention and empathy; something I wish we had a lot more of in everyday conversations and interactions."
"The structure, collaborative nature, and encouragement to engage at your own comfort level. Also the food and string quartet!"
"I loved being able to connect with strangers in a way that I would never have done outside of the event."
Communication Studies
Composition & Literacy Studies
Dental Hygiene
Education Instruction
English for Speakers of Other Languages
Interdisciplinary Studies: Peace and Conflict Studies
Music Department
Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities
Psychology
Sociology
Interfaith Action of Central Texas (iACT) and Simone Talma Flowers
ACC Division of Teaching and Learning Excellence and Dr. Susy Warner-Sanchez
The Office of Experiential Learning
ACC's Center for Peace and Conflict Studies
Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities Dept. and Dr. Grant Potts
Dr. Kathy Frost, Dr. Shirin Khosropour, Dr. Becky Villareal
Department of Liberal Arts, Humanities, and Communications and Dean Matthew Daude-Laurents
ACC Music Department and Dr. Albert Lo
Ashley Acuna
Israa Al Mahbobi
Rae Alford
Mia Bazan
Kaitlin Bell
Dannielle Blanchard Quintero
Analisa Burkey
Ben Burton
Raine Collier
Dora Anne Cooper
Zachary Davis
Lauren Degaetano
Drew Flanagin
Frost Frost
Angela Galeana-Garcia
Darrell Greenfield
Eileen Hernandez
Michael Howell
Shae Longoria
Gissel Martinez
Dylan Merchen
Lillian Mundy
Garrett Munson
Shane Murray
Jessica Norton
Emily Outland
Simran Prakash
Jenyfer Romero
Alexander Schmude
Jessica Schroeder
Kearson Siddell
Destinee Smith
Mary Swenson
Tennyson Tole
Daisy Travis
Under the direction of Dr. Albert Lo
1st Violin: Bethany Wharton
2nd Violin: Keith Craik
Viola: Tiffany Lee
Cello: Peter Northfelt
A special thank you to the Liberal Arts Humanities and Communications and Dean Matthew Daude-Laurents for sponsoring our quartet.
