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These
days,
many
of
us
could
use
some
help
smoothing
the
rough
edges
of
hard
conversations.
BW
business
and
political
science
alumna
Kelly
Maxwell
'92
has
made
a
career
of
it.
After 17 years with the University of Michigan, Maxwell is a woman wearing many hats from faculty member to academic co-director of intergroup relations. Now, she's taken on a new role as U-M's assistant dean of undergraduate education, while also balancing her work as the recently elected chair of the Difficult Dialogues National Resource Center (DDNRC), which she helped to found in 2011.
In each of her roles, Maxwell draws on her social science expertise in intergroup relations. At U-M and the DDNRC, she focuses on education and training to help others engage in difficult conversations using social identities to bridge social differences.
Maxwell
said
of
her
new
position,
"We
live
in
contentious
times.
It's
more
important
than
ever
to
talk
across
difference,
find
common
ground
and
be
prepared
to
take
others'
perspectives
as
we
learn
to
work
together
in
an
increasingly
interconnected
global
society."
In her new broader role at U-M, Maxwell works to promote student learning through such programs as global scholars, undergraduate research or student government.
"Working for a liberal arts college now," she said, "I absolutely value the experience I had at BW. It's helped me become a leader and see the world from different angles."
Facilitating
ChangeIn addition to her collegiate trainings, Maxwell's book, Facilitating Intergroup Dialogues: Bridging Differences, Catalyzing Change, fosters intentional and purposeful dialogues on topics such as social identities, racism, privilege, etc.
The book is a product of her work at both U-M and the DDNRC, where she has aimed to build skills and orchestrate a framework for difficult talks in a way that does not shut the conversation down.
