Lisa M. Perhamus was the inaugural Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professor of Civil Discourse at Grand Valley State University and now serves as the inaugural director of the university’s Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse. In addition to her directorship, she is a professor in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies at Grand Valley.
Earning her Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in Curriculum Studies, her Masters in Sociology from The New School for Social Research, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from William Smith College with a double major in English and Religious Studies, Lisa’s interdisciplinary background continues to inspire her current civil discourse work. She grounds herself in the idea that every person has a right to be understood, and through her teaching, scholarship, and service, Lisa seeks ways to elevate people’s stories in the face of societal barriers that often silence people.
Whether leading a civil discourse training in the community or facilitating group dialogue in the classroom, Lisa’s storytelling approach to civil discourse aims to foster mutual understanding through humanizing dialogue rather than divisive debate.
Originally from upstate NY, Lisa enjoys spending time with family and friends; working in her intergenerational garden; and going on backpacking adventures.
Dr. Perhamus is available via email or phone at perhamul@gvsu.edu or (616) 331-6736.
Britlynn Veliz is the Student Fellow for the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse.
Britlynn is currently a junior at Grand Valley State University. She is studying Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Marketing. In addition to Student Fellow, she is a peer mentor for Laker Familia and an account executive at GVSU’s student-run communications firm, GrandPR. A quote she lives by is, “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing” by Elbert Hubbard. Britlynn enjoys trying new cafes and meeting with friends in her spare time.
Britlynn can be reached via email at s_velizbr@gvsu.edu