Dialogue 1. Food for Thought: Expanding Perspective

Adam Williamson

This proposal addresses “Dialogue: Having Hard Conversations.” FFTEP is a DEI program that I have hosted through the University of North Texas Honors College during the Spring 2023 and Fall 2023 semesters. This program has been highly successful both semesters, with the attendees being able to engage in meaningful dialogue with their peers around identity and belonging over a catered meal. However, I had to adjust the language of the program this semester due to recent legislation that has passed in Texas restricting DEI offices and programming. Thus, in this presentation, I plan to cover the impact of this legislation, specifically around DEI programming from a staff perspective. I am also wanting to cover the logistics of the program itself, including the “appetizer, main course, and dessert” sets of questions that the attendees answer in a roundtable-discussion format. Furthermore, even though I have yet to gain IRB approval for formally assessing this program, I still would highlight general themes that I have gleaned from pre- and postsurveys. It is my intention to gain IRB approval next semester and continue to build on this proposal for future presentations, so that I can provide figures and further analysis from the surveys.