GVSU Education Programs News
Perhamus appointed GVSU Director of Civil Discourse
February 07, 2019
Dr. Lisa M. Perhamus, Associate Professor in the College of Education's Educational Foundations Department, has been appointed to serve as the inaugural Director of the Padnos/Sarosik Civil Discourse Program for GVSU. Perhamus will serve in this position for a two-year term from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2020.
Housed in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, the Civil Discourse Program at GVSU seeks to strengthen the commitment to informed, peace-based, and respectful dialogue across the campus community and the neighboring areas of West Michigan.
Civil discourse involves engagement in discourse (conversation) intended to enhance understanding. Rather than focusing on the barriers and limitations of a situation, civil discourse involves a commitment to building on the possibilities and assets which folks around the table offer.
Courses in the Civil Discourse program include EDF 325/IDS 325 - Learning from Detroit: Education and Community Revitalization. This course studies community revitalization efforts in the city of Detroit. Focusing on community-based initiatives that are strengthening neighborhoods, improving schools and fostering the well-being of children, families and neighborhoods in Detroit, this course invites students with diverse perspectives, from across content areas. The class includes two visits to Detroit.
In addition to teaching in the College of Education, Perhamus serves as a Faculty Associate for the Division of Inclusion & Equity. She also served in the first Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professorship of Civil Discourse from 2014-2015.
Article photo is a portrait of Dr. Lisa Perhamus.
Article written by Alex Jacobsson. For more information on this story, contact the Office of Certification and Accreditation - (616) 331-6650.