BUILD Dialogue Series

The BUILD Dialogue Series uses facilitated intergroup dialogues to build capacity and commitment towards fostering a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive Boise State University.

For more information about intergroup dialogues and how we are using them at Boise State.

Vision

The vision of the BUILD Campus Forum Initiative and Dialogue Series is to establish and foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive Boise State University by building capacity for and commitment to such efforts.

Purpose

This initiative expands on the BUILD certificate program began in 2017 (Boise State Uniting for Inclusion and Leadership in Diversity), and will offer programs to support participants to consider their own thinking and perspectives on diversity and inclusion. In addition, these programs will catalyze individual and collective movement toward Boise State’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

History

Boise State initially launched this program as the BUILD Campus Forum Initiative–a two year program generously supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute with matching funds from the Office of the President and Office of the Provost at Boise State University. The grant specifically challenged us to focus on issues of race, in addition to those related to other marginalized identities. Events were held in August 2018 and throughout the 2019-2020 academic year. The events included several BUILD Forums facilitated by Dr. Sharon J. Washington, a national expert in supporting educational institutions to build community capacity to address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. (More information about Dr. Washington is available on her website.)

We also hosted a series of intergroup dialogues for Boise State Employees co-facilitated by members of the Boise State community. Because of the initiative’s success and popularity, BUILD will continue hosting intergroup dialogues throughout the 2020-2021 academic year and beyond.