Description
Join us for the “What’s Next?” symposium, an exploration of how to extend the power of Narrative 4 beyond the story exchange. We’ll gather virtually for a one-hour to learn from teachers and students. Expect to hear stories of how they have successfully leveraged the increased empathy and desire for social change cultivated through the Narrative 4 story exchange to inspire student-led initiatives, community engagement projects, and innovative coursework in university settings. Sessions will focus on themes of Creativity, Connection and Community, and Courage and Compassion, providing practical insights alongside opportunities for thought-provoking discussions and networking. Whether you’re a seasoned Narrative 4 practitioner or a curious newcomer, this symposium offers a unique opportunity to connect with a community of educators and students who are committed to tapping into the power of Narrative 4 to create a more just and compassionate world.
Speaker Bios & Presentation Topics
Kristina Wenzel Egan (Ph.D.) is an associate professor and department chair of Communication Studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her research examines the stories people tell about health, dying, and grief and how these stories shape our relational lives. In her teaching, she invites students to think deeply about how communication both sustains and transforms us, and how story sharing can bring comfort, meaning, and connection.
Kristina will review the objectives of a University of St. Thomas study investigating the impact of story exchanges on students’ class belonging, professional and personal purpose, and attitudes toward privacy in the classroom.
____
Gabriel Velez is an associate professor and developmental psychologist in the Department of Educational Policy and Leadership (EDPL) in the College of Education at Marquette University, with a joint appointment in psychology. Dr. Velez studies identity development in adolescents and emerging adults, particularly in relation to their educational experiences. He also serves as the Faculty Director of the Black and Latino/a Ecosystem and Support Transition (BLEST) Hub at Marquette, and the Chair of the Faculty Research Team for the Center for Peacemaking. Dr. Velez has a forthcoming book entitled, Making Meaning of Justice and Peace: A Developmental Lens to Restorative Justice and Peace Education, and is working on another manuscript on adolescent development, education, and artificial intelligence, both with Cambridge University Press. He received a BA in History and Literature from Harvard University, and an MA and PhD from the University of Chicago in Comparative Human Development.
____
Capturing the Power of the College Work
Across the country, Narrative 4 is taking shape on different college campuses in different ways. The varied ways it is being applied and used to building connection creates challenges for how to capture its impact. With grant funding from the New Pluralists, Dr. Velez has led a collaborative effort to try to capture and measure the potential impacts of engaging in this programming for facilitators and participants on college campuses. In this short presentation, Dr. Velez will highlight the current focus of the work and questions that have arisen from it.
