Leanne Soter (Service Learning & Leadership) presented a Promising Practice session at the annual Campus Compact Conference on Monday, March 16, 2026. The session was titled "Stirring the Pot: Small Conversations, Big Impact" and shared about the "It's Just Coffee" event series that creates safe(r)/brave spaces for students to engage in open, compassionate dialogue over coffee.

Within these dialogue sessions, participants use topic guides to explore controversial issues like freedom of speech on campus, practicing verbal and listening skills without needing to be experts. This initiative demonstrates how informal, low-stakes interactions can bridge gaps between diverse campus communities, fostering unity, empathy, and understanding—while promoting mental health and equity. The session shared best practices for launching similar programs, highlighting the role of dialogue in advancing well-being, community ties, and social change.

Want to connect about Dialogue and Deliberation programs and resources? Email Leanne at Leanne.Soter@unlv.edu.