Become a Facilitator for Shared Reading Discussion Groups

As part of enhancements to the first-year experience, all new students arriving this fall will now engage in a shared experience that includes a shared reading of Trevor Noah’s memoir, “Born A Crime,” and discussion groups that will focus on relevant themes from the book. The initiative aims to engage students in a shared first-year experience that explores themes of identity, belonging, diversity, inclusion and health and wellness.

To facilitate the small group discussions, the First-Year Experience committee is actively recruiting current students, graduate students, faculty, staff and administrators to serve as facilitators. Each discussion group will be co-led by a student peer facilitator and a lead faculty, staff or graduate student facilitator. Additionally, training facilitators with previous dialogue experience are needed to train peer and lead facilitators.

Facilitators will be compensated and receive a copy of the book, training and materials necessary to lead the five-week, 90-minute discussion sessions. Sessions are planned to take place in the residence halls during the evenings and on Friday afternoons.

“Current students, graduate students, staff, faculty and administrators have a unique opportunity to be part of an exciting initiative that will have a broad impact on the first-year experience,” says Amanda Nicholson, assistant provost and dean of student success and co-chair of the First-Year Experience Initiative.

“Those who participate will be engaging our newest members of the Orange community in meaningful experiences that aim to build shared community, improve cultural skills and increase healthy habits,” adds Kira Kristal Reed, associate professor in the Whitman School of Management and co-chair of the First-Year Experience Initiative. “We encourage every member of the campus community to become involved as a facilitator. If that’s not possible, we invite you to read the book and create a discussion group of your own!”

To prepare all the facilitators for this initiative, training sessions will be held at multiple times in August and early September. Potential facilitators will have the opportunity in their application to choose their preferences for a training date.

For complete details and application information, visit the following facilitator pages:

• Peer Facilitators (current students)
• Lead Facilitators (current faculty, staff and graduate students)
• Training Facilitators (faculty and staff with prior dialogue experience)

For questions, or to learn more about the First-Year Experience Initiative, contact Nicholson and Reed.