The Karsh Institute’s Student Dialogue Fellowship is expanding after a successful inaugural semester, reinforcing the need for spaces where students can engage in meaningful conversations across differences. Rooted in the Karsh Institute’s focus on democratic culture, the program equips students with peer-to-peer communication skills, mindfulness techniques, and a deeper understanding of the American political landscape.
Launched as a pilot in fall 2024, the fellowship builds on the Karsh Institute’s engaged dialogue initiatives and the research of UVA School of Education and Human Development Associate Professor Rachel Wahl, who also directs the Institute’s Good Life Political Project. Initially envisioned as a small program, the fellowship quickly exceeded expectations, attracting overwhelming student interest. To meet demand, the Institute partnered with seven schools and units across UVA so all applicants could participate.
Last August, more than 300 undergraduate and graduate students from 11 of UVA’s 12 schools joined the program.
“I’ve always been passionate about public service, and coming into college, I knew I wanted to strengthen my ability to work across differences—not just by being around people with different perspectives, but by truly engaging in meaningful conversations with them,” said first-year fellow Ahryanna McGuirk. “When I learned about the Karsh Institute’s Student Dialogue Fellowship, it felt like exactly what I had been looking for.”
Graduate student fellow Reid Jacobson, who served in the military, emphasized the importance of fostering respectful debate as a factor in his decision to apply. "Coming from the military, I appreciated our ability to discuss contentious topics and disagree without diminishing our views of each other. Seeing the modern state of politics and the growing partisan divide, I wanted to find ways to promote disagreements that don’t turn into ‘othering’ one another."
To ensure a diversity of perspectives, students were assigned to ideologically varied cohorts of about 50, with smaller discussion pods of eight to ten participants. These groups met every few weeks—sometimes over shared meals—to engage in guided discussions supported by faculty experts and trained facilitators. The structure provided a balance of openness and thoughtful direction, allowing students to explore complex topics in a respectful, constructive setting.
Student Reception and Program Impact
The fellowship has garnered attention at the local, state, and national levels while receiving strong support from students, faculty, and staff at UVA. Early feedback from students suggests the program is helping to foster open dialogue and understanding.
In a post-semester survey, one fellow commented, “This fellowship helped me move past anger and assumptions so that I can actually listen to others with opposing views.” Another noted, “I was surprised and heartened to learn that so many students across the university are interested in having better political conversations. It gives me hope for the future.”
“This fellowship helped me move past anger and assumptions so that I can actually listen to others with opposing views.”
The same survey revealed that 100 percent of respondents would recommend the program to their peers, and 86 percent said it improved their ability to approach political discussions with intellectual humility. Students also suggested refining the program by increasing faculty engagement and incorporating more explicit opportunities for disagreement.
Expansion and Future Growth
Recognizing the program’s impact, the Karsh Institute is expanding the fellowship. More than 100 fellows opted to continue for a second semester this spring, focusing on dialogue facilitation and program development. These students meet regularly, applying their skills across new contexts and helping to refine the fellowship for future participants.
McGuirk, who chose to continue for a second semester, said, “I believe this kind of space—where people can come together, challenge each other, and still find mutual respect—is something we need more of. I want to help improve the program for the next cohort, as well as for the schools and institutions that may adopt their own versions in the future.”
Looking ahead to the 2025–26 academic year, the fellowship will continue to grow, incorporating a community engagement component. Research led by Wahl will further assess the program’s impact and shape future initiatives.
Looking ahead to the 2025–26 academic year, the fellowship will continue to grow, incorporating a community engagement component.
Beyond UVA, the Karsh Institute is working to expand the fellowship model to more campuses. Initial discussions are underway with UVA Wise and other Virginia institutions to pilot similar programs in the coming years.
Jacobson said he would encourage future applicants to see the broader value of the fellowship. “This fellowship isn’t strictly about politics,” he said. “It’s about learning how to disagree constructively and promote more healthy disagreement in society.”
With strong institutional backing and student enthusiasm, the Student Dialogue Fellowship is poised to make a lasting impact, equipping more students with the tools to engage in constructive discourse and contribute to a democratic culture that empowers people to engage meaningfully in civic life.
“If we want to bridge divides, we need to start by learning how to have conversations that don’t just reaffirm what we already think,” said McGuirk. “I hope that in my lifetime, spaces like those created by the Student Dialogue Fellowship become the norm rather than the exception.”