Introducing the Tuck Dialogues Project

Faculty and staff have built a foundation through programs and engagements such as TuckGO, Tuck Compass, Tuck’s six Centers, the Leadership Development Program, and the Tuck Initiative on Workplace Inclusion. This dedication to respectful dialogue and constructive disagreement as a part of learning and development is one factor that contributes to the success of not only Tuck’s personal, connected, and transformative programs, but to the entire community.

In this spirit, Tuck today announces the launch of the Tuck Dialogues Project which will promote the school’s mission to develop wise, decisive leaders by helping community members improve their ability to navigate and lead difficult conversations. As a part of the Dartmouth Dialogues project, Tuck’s Real Talk conversation series will contribute to one of President Sian Leah Beilock’s main priorities: facilitating conversations and skills that bridge political and personal divides.

In many ways, the Tuck Dialogues Project builds on work Tuck has done for years. Inspired by Dean Matthew Slaughter and Professor Ella Bell’s popular Tuck Launch orientation session, the series encapsulates the spirited discussions our path-breaking faculty encourage daily in the classroom as well as the many imperative conversations Tuck has hosted over the years. This past September, for example, Tuck hosted a discussion in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action, which served as the first Tuck Dialogues roundtable. A foundational resource that will guide the project’s work is Tuck’s Ground Rules for Navigating Difficult Conversations, a tool the community can lean on for setting the tone and intention of a conversation, and to establish a baseline atmosphere of empathy and respect.

The Tuck Dialogues Project will feature a menu of opportunities for engagement, including:

• Real Talk conversation series
  Tuck will host a speaker or moderated discussion focusing on current events, “hot” topics, and timely issues. The goal is to bring dynamic issues to the forefront and create opportunities to learn through observation and model how to construct an opinion, critique an idea, and navigate difficult topics.
  
  The first speaker, and the marquee winter term event for the Tuck Dialogues Project, will be on Tuesday, February 6 and feature a discussion with President Beilock in Cook Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Moderated by Professor Wheelan, the dynamic discussion will focus on challenges impacting leaders across higher education, including freedom of speech on campus and communication during times of crisis. Please register here. 
• Intercultural Leadership Seminar
  In-person experience to expand students’ leadership toolkit with inclusive practices and a robust skillset around intercultural competency and how to foster inclusive and dynamic work environments.  
• Green Table Talks
  Modeled after the popular Red Table Talk series on Facebook Watch and introduced to the Tuck community by the Black Students Association at Tuck (BSAT), these events will feature a panel format where community members will engage with and discuss a relevant or timely issue.
• Tuck Dialogues Dinners
  These small group dinners bring students together with faculty, guest speakers, or subject matter experts for a deep dive into a hot topic. They have been a popular student-led experience since being introduced by the DEI co-chairs in 2017.
• Skill Building Workshops
  Similar to the Dartmouth Dialogues goal of providing students, staff, and faculty with skills to promote collaborative dialogue, these workshops will focus on the “soft skills” that augment emotional intelligence such as communication skills, interpersonal skills, managing people, and organizational behavior.

The Tuck Dialogues Project is led by Dia Draper, assistant dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion; Charles Wheelan, lecturer, adjunct professor, and author of Naked Statistics; and Vincent Mack, director of intercultural leadership and student life. It is also made possible through members of the Tuck Dialogues student working group, including Lauren Adamson T’24, Will Burroughs T’25, AJ Kumar T’24, Gabriela Lichtenberger, Roxo Loureiro T’24, Tout Lin T’25, Ben Marshall T’24, Ryann Miguel T’25, Ben Romero T'24, Aisha Ruiz Tyler T’25, and Niklas Wu T’24.