March 26, 2024  |  ACC eastview campus, BUILDING 8000, RM 8500 | 6pm-8pm

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.

join us IN-PERSON

RSVP HERE!

All ACC students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend. RSVP required.


VOLUNTEER!

We need volunteers to help set up and take down the event--are you available?  


LEARN more about our Partner:


"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. 

Dr. Shirin Khosropour

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. 

about THE RED BENCH...

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." 

participating acc departments and programs

Special Thanks

We would like to thank the following for their support of this event: 

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

acc STUDENT TABLE HOSTS

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

ACC STRING QUARTET

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.

photos From Past Events