By Mia McCauley, Student Affairs Intern
At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, fostering supportive and enriching environments is essential to students’ academic success and personal growth. On campus, students are given the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions, become better leaders, and connect with individuals of each and every intersection.
The Center for Interfaith Dialogue, within Student Affairs, plays a key role in this mission through offering programs that aim to support both religious and nonreligious identities. Through initiatives such as the Interfaith Fellows Program, students learn the skills to communicate with people across various religious and cultural backgrounds. The Interfaith Fellows Program is currently accepting applications through October 10. Students who demonstrate curiosity, a willingness to ask thoughtful questions, and an interest in meaningful dialogue are encouraged to apply.
The year-long fellowship equips students with a deeper understanding of diverse global traditions and gives them the skills to communicate cross-culturally.
“The idea of the program is to be able to reflect on and discuss profound differences of identity, belief, and background, ” said Talia Ivry, program coordinator. “That means that listening isn’t easy, and it isn’t passive. When someone says something that you disagree with, it’s natural to feel uncomfortable, to shut down, and stop fully listening. But we believe that listening is a muscle you can train, and the program is intended to put you in situations where you don’t always feel at ease, where you get better and better at engaging with difference.”
However, immersing oneself in interfaith dialogue requires more than just knowledge and listening—it’s also about having empathy and genuine passion for connection across intersections.
Former Fellow Shahid Ahmad explains that to be successful in the fellowship, “it’s important to have a strong sense of curiosity about the world. You need to be open to engage with ideas that challenge your own, and have the patience to listen intently,” said Ahmad. “You must be willing to learn not only about others, but also about how your own identity and values are perceived and situated within a group. No one enters dialogue with all the answers, but those who lead well understand that growth comes from listening and reflecting. Disagreement isn’t conflict, it’s often just a start to understanding.”
In spaces where perspectives vary, the Interfaith Fellows Program gives students the chance to ask questions and take critical steps to learning more from those around them.
“Each student has brought a unique flair to the program, but some of the most memorable students have been the ones willing to ask questions. They’re curious about each other, they’re curious about the point of each activity, and they’re not afraid to give feedback on the program as a whole,” said Ivry.
From student organizations to campus events, there are many ways for Madison students to connect with each other and expand their understanding of the world around them.
“Of course, there are many places devoted to spiritual formation, but those places are almost always intrareligious (within one religion) rather than interreligious (between or across religions),” said Ivry. “That’s where the Center for Interfaith Dialogue comes in. For many students, religious and spiritual life makes up a significant part of their identity, and many of them are very interested not only in sharing that with others but also in meeting students outside their tradition who feel similarly. They want to have a place to talk about it, tools to learn how to talk about— all while centering their own experiences and those of the other Fellows.”
Learn more about the Center for Interfaith Dialogue and how you can get involved through the Interfaith Fellows Program by visiting their homepage or visiting the space in the Red Gym.