Building Relationships through Inclusive Dialogue and Genuine Engagement (BRIDGE)
What is the BRIDGE Program?
This pilot program will certify a cohort of Montgomery College employees who will lead facilitated dialogues and promote inclusive conversations throughout MC. The Constructive Dialogue Institute will provide the selected cohort with training and certification in facilitated dialogues during the fall 2025 semester. The cohort will implement the dialogues in spring 2026.
The Constructive Dialogue Institute is a non-partisan nonprofit that equips individuals and institutions with the skills to communicate across differences and build cultures of constructive dialogue. For further information about CDI: https://constructivedialogue.org/about/.
Employees interested in learning more about the BRIDGE Program are invited to join us on Tuesday, April 15, at 3 p.m. via Zoom for an informational session. You will learn about the program's goals and benefits, the application process, and how it can enhance your skills in facilitating dialogue, engaging across differences, and supporting a more inclusive campus community. Don't miss this opportunity to ask questions, explore how the program aligns with your work, and connect with our team! Register nownew window!
What Are the Outcomes of This Program?
By the end of this program, participants will be able to:
- Articulate the purpose and process for facilitating dialogues with MC students and employees.
- Lead facilitated dialogues at MC through the certification they earn in training with the Constructive Dialogue Institute.
- Establish and deepen collaborative cross-functional partnerships for implementing facilitated dialogues with a variety of MC stakeholder groups.
- Assess the impact of the pilot project dialogues in their role at the college and among stakeholder groups at MC.
Who May Apply?
- Full-time and part-time employees from across the college.
- We encourage applications for facilitating dialogues in multiple languages.
What Are the Benefits of Participating?
Participants in the BRIDGE Program:
- Receive a Constructive Dialogue Institute facilitated dialogue certification sponsored by MC.
- Become part of a dedicated cohort supporting efforts to implement facilitated dialogues and transform college approaches to communication across differences.
What Are My Responsibilities in the BRIDGE Program?
- Actively participate in a 20 hour virtual facilitated dialogue training led by the Constructive Dialogue Institute.
- Develop an initial plan for implementing two to three facilitated dialogues with a fellow participant at MC during the spring 2026 semester.
- Develop and implement at least two to three facilitated dialogues with a fellow participant.
- Participate in assessment of the dialogue experience.
- Participate in and present at the Fall 2026 Professional Week Showcase.
When Do We Meet? What Are the Expectations for My Time?
- Attend all virtual facilitated dialogue training sessions. Sessions are on Zoom from noon–5 p.m. on the following days: September 17, September 24, October 1, and October 8.
- Meet with cohort partner/s to develop spring 2026 facilitated dialogue plan at least three times before end of fall 2025 semester.
- Participate in ongoing assessment of certification training experience.
- Lead two to three facilitated dialogues with cohort partners during the spring 2026 semester.
- Participate in one mid-semester and one end-of-semester check-in meeting.
- Contribute to an ongoing BRIDGE program assessment.
- Participate in and present at the spring 2026 Professional Week Showcase
How Do I Apply?
- Discuss your application with your supervisor to be sure that they support your participation.
- Submit your application via the OEI BRIDGE Webpage by April 21, 2025.
- Applicants will be notified of their status by May 2, 2025.
Who Do I Contact if I Have Questions?
For general questions, please contact equityandinclusion@montgomerycollege.edu.
FAQs:
Yes. Faculty who apply should work with their chairs and dean to avoid potential class conflicts or to have an agreed upon plan with their supervisor for virtual trainings that conflict with their class schedule.
Attendance at all virtual training sessions is mandatory for continuation in the cohort.
No. The compensation for participating is receiving the facilitated dialogue certification, which is paid for by the college.