About

The Center for American Dialogue is a service-focused hub enabling students, faculty, staff and the public to directly challenge issues faced by society in an era dominated by polarization and eroding civic trust.

Creating Programs and Environments that Deliver Results

At a moment when increasing political divisions threaten the well-being of society, public universities have a responsibility to create programs and environments that deliver results.

Connected to U-M’s Look to Michigan strategic vision, the Center for American Dialogue takes an immersive approach to this charge. More than just a collection of ideas, the center will offer events, classes and funding that encourage community members to better understand and work with a wide range of perspectives.

The center will have a presence on U-M’s campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint, as well as Washington, D.C., and locations across the state and the country that offer productive opportunities for constructive dialogue.

Using a Research-Centered Approach

What sets U-M’s approach apart from similar efforts across the country is the center’s “evaluate everything” approach, which will analyze each program to ensure goals are achieved more effectively. Data will also help scale the center’s impact by offering a national resource for others to use to “convene with purpose.”