Common Ground Collective

Common Ground Collective

A program that fosters faculty and staff leadership skills with the aim of building a welcoming campus community based on acceptance and belonging. 

Exchanging Ideas and Expanding Community

The CGC engages in three main types of programing: a regular newsletter called Community Tips, social gatherings called Coffee and Conversation, and a cohort-based enrichment program called Change Leaders. Faculty, staff, fellows, and graduate students are welcome.

Core Principles (CALUA)

Community: We strive to build connections and relationships across campus. Our events are places for the exchange of experiences, ideas, and reflections. 

Acceptance: We acknowledge and respect different perspectives.  We welcome everyone to share their different (and familiar) perspectives, experiences, values, interests, needs, and goals. 

Leadership: We create systemic change through increases in faculty leadership capacity that recognizes and promotes the value of collaboration and fairness, appreciates and amplifies the unique strengths and contributions of individuals, and is aware of self-limitations.   

Unlearning: Our team members unlearn what they think they may know to relearn what they need to understand. Culture builders are able to let go of old ideas and assumptions as a key to being open to new perspectives and interpretations. 

Accountability: We put extra effort into encouraging overrepresented individuals to embrace the challenge and be leaders of change. Transformation doesn’t happen by relying on others to take a stand. Change happens when commitment is collective.