Voices United: A Week of Campus-Wide and Civic Conversation

May 22 – May 26 2023, Bellevue College

Image of four people across a divide shaped as a talking balloon.

These days, it can feel hard to have meaningful conversations about challenging topics with people we disagree with. Issues are overly politicized. Communities are increasingly polarized. People may not feel heard. People may not feel safe speaking their minds.

Voices United provides Bellevue College students, faculty, staff, administrators, Trustees, and the broader community an opportunity to remember why and how we have conversations about difficult or complex topics, particularly with people we may disagree with. This week of events has been sponsored and supported by Interim President Gary Locke and the Office of the President, and has been organized by the RISE Learning Institute. Voices United is the culmination of the 2022-2023 President’s Civic Fellows initiative.

No registration required. Just come in-person or join us by Zoom. Details for both are in the calendar of events. Many of the events have limited in-person space.

BC Students talk about the challenges and importance of civic conversation
Yuko Kodama of 91.3 KBCS talks with Miriam Oommen about music, dialogue, and climate activism

During Voices United:

  • Get inspired by incredible speakers and performers who promote conversation and support our communities.
  • Attend a presentation or workshop led by a faculty colleague to explore different methods for fitting dialogue into a class.
  • Learn a new tool to easily and effectively address misinformation before it spreads on social media or via group chats.
  • Participate in conversations around tricky topics or about the culture we wish for our college.
  • Join a student discussion exploring how we promote a safe and welcoming environment for the sharing of different ideas and perspectives.
  • And more!

Scroll down to learn about our amazing speakers and presenters. Click the yellow button below to go straight to the calendar of events. Click the blue button to contribute your perspectives about challenging conversations and civic engagement (This short survey is for BC students, faculty, and staff only.). Don’t forget to post about this event on social media with #VoicesUnitedBC !

Questions or want to learn more? Contact the RISE Learning Institute.

Speakers and Presenters

Bellevue College will be hosting some incredible speakers and presenters for Voices United. These speakers have professional and lived experiences in politics and governance around civic bridgebuilding and voting, student-led movements for dialogue, the legal fight for climate justice, community-building for our homeless residents, and global research into misinformation, among other work and backgrounds.

Additionally, Bellevue College instructors are offering workshops for faculty about how skits, storytelling, technology, and more can be utilized to facilitate meaningful dialogue in classes.

Click the images below to read about each presenter. Then visit the calendar of events to learn when and how you can see them.

Community Speakers

Photo of Steve Hobbs
Steve Hobbs
WA Secretary of State
Photo of Madeline Jalbert
Dr. Madeline Jalbert
Center for an Informed Public
Photo of Representative Derek Kilmer
Rep. Derek Kilmer
WA District 6
Photo of Manu Meel
Manu Meel
BridgeUSA
Photo of Miriam Oommen playing fiddle with campfire in background
Miriam Oommen
Juliana v. US
Photo of Nico Quijano in forest with baby
Nico Quijano
City of Bellevue
Photo of Morgan Wack
Morgan Wack
Center for an Informed Public

Faculty Presenters

Photo of Jeremiah Allen
Jeremiah Allen
First-Year Seminar
Photo of April Ambalina
April Ambalina
Nursing
Photo of Salam Awad
Salam Awad
Political Science
Photo of Shadi Kanan
Dr. Shadi Kanan
Nursing
Photo of Li Liu
Dr. Li Liu
Communication Studies

Bios for Community Speakers

Steve Hobbs WA Secretary of State

Photo of Steve Hobbs

Steve Hobbs is Washington’s 16th Secretary of State. He began his tenure in 2021 and was elected by the people of Washington in November 2022. Secretary Hobbs leads the office responsible for managing state and local elections, corporation and charity filings, Washington State Library, Washington State Archives, and a number of other community programs.

Previously, he was the state senator for Washington’s 44th legislative district, having first been elected in 2006. Secretary Hobbs is a lieutenant colonel in the Washington Army National Guard. He holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington.

Secretary Hobbs will be providing the Wednesday Keynote on May 24, as well as facilitating an informal conversation later that day. Click below to learn more.

Dr. Madeline Jalbert Center for an Informed Public

Photo of Madeline Jalbert

Madeline Jalbert is a Postdoctoral School in the Information School at the University of Washington. She completed her Ph.D. in Social Psychology at the University of Southern California. Madeline studies how context and subjective experiences influence memory, judgment, and decision-making. Her work primarily focuses on factors that impact judgments of truth and risk, as well as how these judgments play out in naturalistic contexts. The goal of this work is to shed light on effective strategies for preventing and correcting the spread of misinformation.

Dr. Jalbert will be co-facilitating a workshop about misinformation on Monday May 22 with her colleague Morgan Wack. Click below to learn more.

Rep. Derek Kilmer Washington 6th District

Photo of Representative Derek Kilmer

Derek Kilmer serves as the United States Representative of Washington’s 6th Congressional District.

Born and raised in Port Angeles, Rep. Kilmer saw firsthand how the region’s economy has struggled, and the impact that has had on families and communities. The son of two school teachers, he was taught to appreciate the value of education. After working in consulting and then serving in both the Washington state house and state Senate, Rep. Kilmer was reelected to a fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020. Rep. Kilmer is one of the lead sponsors of the 2022 Building Civic Bridges Act, bipartisan legislation empowering communities in efforts to “[build] relationships across lines of difference” (source).

Rep. Kilmer will be be kicking off the week on Monday May 22! Click below to learn more.

Manu Meel Bridge USA

Photo of Manu Meel

Manu Meel is passionate about empowering young people to bridge divides. He believes that the biggest threat to American democracy is affective polarization and growing misunderstanding between Americans. As CEO of BridgeUSA, Manu is currently building the largest and fastest growing student movement to bridge our differences and change how we talk politics. Manu contributes to several news outlets, works on pro-democracy efforts nationally, and advises political leaders on reducing polarization. In the past, Manu worked as an associate at the venture capital firm Amplo and at the Department of State as a political analyst in counterterrorism. His work has been featured in The New York TimesThe Washington Post, and other media platforms. In 2022, Manu was recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for leading BridgeUSA.

Manu will be providing the Thursday Keynote on May 25, as well as facilitating three different informal conversations throughout the day. Click below to learn more.

Miriam Oommen Juliana v. US

Photo of Miriam Oommen playing fiddle with campfire in background

Miriam Oommen (she/they) is a queer Malayali-American climate justice organizer, musician and public speaker. Born and raised in the pacific northwest, they are notably a plaintiff on the federal climate change lawsuit Juliana vs. US, as well as on the Board of Directors of the activist defense law nonprofit the Civil Liberties Defense Center. A multi-instrumentalist and music teacher, Miriam is a songwriter, fiddler and vocalist in the queer/punk old time string band Foraging and the Rattling Bones. They co-host a weekly old time jam in Eugene, Oregon, facilitate direct action trainings and speak on the intersection between music and social justice.

Miriam will be performing and telling stories on Tuesday May 23, as well as joining a panel event later that day about conversations for challenging topics. Click below to learn more.

Nico Quijano City of Bellevue

Photo of Nico Quijano in forest with baby

Nico Quijano is the Homelessness Outreach Program Manager for the City of Bellevue, with prior professional experience as an elementary school teacher and as an outreach worker, case manager, and director at a nonprofit serving teens and young adults experiencing homelessness. Nico is originally from New York, married into the PNW, has an adorable two year old, plays guitar, runs marathons, enjoys a good pizza, and loves to engage the public. Please reach out (via phone at 425.229.5819 or e-mail at NQuijano@bellevuewa.gov) with any questions or concerns regarding homelessness.

Nico will be participating in a panel event focused on community conversations on challenging issues on Tuesday May 23. Click below to learn more.

Morgan Wack Center for an Informed Public

Photo of Morgan Wack

Morgan Wack is a Doctoral Candidate in Political Science at the University of Washington. Morgan’s research interests emphasize the political consequences that result from the dissemination and use of novel communication and identification technologies, particularly in the Global South. Specifically, has worked to examine how communication technologies influence support for democratic institutions and perceptions of electoral legitimacy. In addition to his academic work, Morgan has assisted government agencies and NGOs in several countries on issues related to healthcare, education, and misinformation.

Morgan Wack will be co-facilitating a workshop about misinformation on Monday May 22 with his colleague Dr. Madeline Jalbert. Click below to learn more.

Bios for Faculty Presenters

Jeremiah Allen Bellevue College First-Year Seminar

Photo of Jeremiah Allen

Jeremiah Allen (he/him) is the program chair of the First-Year Seminar who this summer will complete his fourth year at the college. With an MA in English, Rhetoric and Composition, Jeremiah is proud to have worked extensively with pre-college students and continues to innovate in the development and delivery of proven educational models including accelerated developmental composition and cohort-based learning. While he still considers himself to be somewhat of a fresh face on campus, Jeremiah strives to share his enthusiasm for our professional development community and innovative programs that enhance the student learning experience and continue to inspire and refresh his capacity to engage students in this challenging, post locked-down era. He especially would like to shout out to his colleagues and mentors in RISE, eLearning, the Faculty Commons, and all of the creative and dedicated faculty and staff in the Connected Learning division.

Jeremiah will be leading a faculty workshop on Monday May 22 about how apps can promote a safer environment within which to have challenging dialogues. Click below to learn more.

April Ambalina Bellevue College Nursing Program

Photo of April Ambalina

April Ambalina is an Associate Professor of Nursing with a Master’s in Health Sciences Education and over 10 years of nursing education experience. She has taught and mentored nursing students and nurses internationally, including a community health clinical course in the Dominican Republic. April is an avid international traveler with a strong foundation in intercultural awareness. During the pandemic, she created innovative ways to bring lab work and skills testing to students virtually, using YouTube and social media to increase engagement and build community.

April will be leading a faculty workshop on Tuesday May 23 about the use of storytelling to discuss systemic racism and bias in healthcare. Click below to learn more.

Salam Awad Bellevue College Political Science Program

Photo of Salam Awad

Salam Awad is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Bellevue College. Her research and teaching interests include international relations, post-colonial studies, the Middle East, social movements, refugees, and human rights. She is an avid reader, art enthusiast, and lover of history. Her courses typically focus on critical applications of politics and provide new perspectives to help students critically analyze global issues.

Salam will be leading a faculty workshop on Wednesday May 24 about countering bias and stereotypes in media and social media. Click below to learn more.

Dr. Shadi Kanan Bellevue College Nursing Program

Photo of Shadi Kanan

Dr. Shadi Kanan joined Bellevue College as full-time faculty in the HSEWI Division / Nursing Program. Shadi joined Bellevue College directly after he got his doctorate degree in Nursing from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio in the Summer of 2020.

Shadi started his nursing career after he got his bachelor’s degree of nursing (BSN) from Jordan University of Science & Technology/ Jordan in 2001. He also went on to receive his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing from the same university in 2005. Shadi’s nursing career began on a cath-Lab unit, but the majority of his experience has been spent in nursing education in several universities and colleges . Shadi believes that delivering nursing care to a person is an honour and that teaching future nurses of tomorrow is a blessing. He is excited to apply this principle to his teaching role to help shape the next generation of Bellevue College nurses.

Shadi will be leading a faculty workshop on Friday May 26. Click below to learn more.

Dr. Li Liu Bellevue College Communication Studies Program

Photo of Li Liu

Dr. Li Liu has been teaching at Bellevue College for over ten years. She regularly offers CMST 280, intercultural communication, a course that explores ethnocentrism, bias and prejudice on social members’ communication choices. She received her Ph.D in intercultural communication from University of Washington, and MA in international communication from Peking University in Beijing.

Li will be leading a faculty workshop on Wednesday May 24 about how skits can be an effective teaching tool. Click below to learn more.

Calendar of Events

Scroll down to get to the calendar. Click across the top to look at the schedule for that day, and the click the event to read more information and find out how to attend the event.

Some events are open to everyone. Some are open to specific groups. Most events are both in-person and via Zoom. All the “Conversations” have limited in-person space. To find out which events you can attend, use this key when looking at the calendar below:

Students: S

Faculty: F

Staff / Admin: E

Community: C

The three Keynote Events will have virtual ASL interpretation. If ASL interpretation is required for other events, please contact Beth Camp.

All on-campus locations are accessible. All events – except for the Student Conversations – are virtual as well as in-person. Only the Keynote Events, Workshops, and Faculty Conversations will be recorded.

For any accommodation questions, contact the RISE Learning Institute.

The more events you attend, the more chances you have to win something fun from Bellevue College! Thank you to the Bellevue College Foundation for providing the swag, like t-shirts, drinking cups, socks, a small toy Brutus, and more! All in-person and online attendees are eligible, as long as they can visit A101 to claim the prizes.

Address

3000 Landerholm Cir SE, Bellevue, WA  98007

Parking

Visit the Bellevue College Parking Map to understand the layout of the campus and its parking lots.

Community members will need to purchase the $2 daily permits. Kiosks are located at Lots 12 and 16, as well as on the top level of the Parking Garage. Cars with the permits can be parked in these daily metered lots, as well as in any student lot (with the blue circle on the map).

Buses

Routes 221, 226, 245, and 271 stop on campus near the Parking Garage. This location is a close walk to the B, D, and H buildings.

Routes 212, 217, 241, and 245 normally stop just outside the South Entrance, close to the N building. However, the location is currently closed, and will require a short walk from the nearest detoured stop.

The Eastgate Park & Ride and the Eastgate Freeway Station are similarly close to the South Entrance.

Calendar

Where: D106 | Zoom

What does it mean to “build bridges” with others in our communities? Why does it matter? And why do we often struggle to do so?

Help kick off the week by joining a conversation about the what and why of civic bridgebuilding. This informal discussion will follow remarks from Representative Derek Kilmer, one of the lead sponsors of the 2022 Building Civic Bridges Act in Congress. As we discuss the importance and challenges of building relationships across difference, we will set the tone for the week, and for what we seek in our campus community.

Representative Derek Kilmer and Civic Bridgebuilding! (For captions, select Setting, Subtitles, English Auto-Generate)

Facilitated by Sapan Parekh, Associate Director RISE Learning Institute and Mandie Mauldin, President’s Faculty Civic Fellow

Come to D106 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 841 6099 2299; Passcode: 934208)


Presenter Bio

Photo of Representative Derek Kilmer

Derek Kilmer serves as the United States Representative of Washington’s 6th Congressional District.

Born and raised in Port Angeles, Rep. Kilmer saw firsthand how the region’s economy has struggled, and the impact that has had on families and communities. The son of two school teachers, he was taught to appreciate the value of education. After working in consulting and then serving in both the Washington state house and state Senate, Rep. Kilmer was reelected to a fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020. Rep. Kilmer is one of the lead sponsors of the 2022 Building Civic Bridges Act, bipartisan legislation empowering communities in efforts to “[build] relationships across lines of difference” (source).

Where: D106 | Zoom

In this interactive presentation, learn how to incorporate easy to use apps to create safer environments that scaffold difficult conversations into your classroom. Jeremiah will share a lesson he used in his First-Year Seminar and demo the apps the students use in class, and then you will have an opportunity to try them out yourself in a mock lesson. Bring your laptops, phones, or other devices and dive in!

Come to D106 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 842 7820 5479; Passcode: 984802)


Presenter Bio

Photo of Jeremiah Allen

Jeremiah Allen (he/him) is the program chair of the First-Year Seminar who this summer will complete his fourth year at the college. With an MA in English, Rhetoric and Composition, Jeremiah is proud to have worked extensively with pre-college students and continues to innovate in the development and delivery of proven educational models including accelerated developmental composition and cohort-based learning. While he still considers himself to be somewhat of a fresh face on campus, Jeremiah strives to share his enthusiasm for our professional development community and innovative programs that enhance the student learning experience and continue to inspire and refresh his capacity to engage students in this challenging, post locked-down era. He especially would like to shout out to his colleagues and mentors in RISE, eLearning, the Faculty Commons, and all of the creative and dedicated faculty and staff in the Connected Learning division.

Where: D106 | Zoom

Misinformation is everywhere. Posts and group chats and feeds and even news outlets spread misinformation, which can be picked up as talking points that shape policies and elections and our lives. Misinformation can be so convincing that we may come to believe it ourselves.

Join an informal conversation about the power misinformation has to influence what we believe, how we act, and how we engage (meaningfully and destructively) with others. Through this conversation, participants will share ideas for addressing this important issue, and learn about some resources available to them to counteract misinformation in their classes. After this discussion, attend the Social Truth Query workshop to learn about a new tool for reducing the power of misinformation.

Facilitated by Michelle Schewe, Student Success Librarian; Chloe Horning, Associate Faculty Reference Librarian; Taylor Dalrymple, Faculty in Adult Basic Education; and Sapan Parekh, Associate Director RISE Learning Institute

Come to D106 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 826 0444 3187; Passcode: 788623)

Where: B204 | Zoom

Misinformation is often passed off as truth by trusted sources, family members, or friends. Responding with a fact check or an outright “You’re wrong” can have the opposite effect, leading to polarization, distance, and distrust. Such responses may not change minds, but may destroy relationships.

Through engaging with work done in South Africa to combat election misinformation, researchers Dr. Madeline Jalbert and Morgan Wack with the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public (CIP) have designed and tested a new tool, Social Truth Query, that use questions and dialogue to address and reduce the impact of misinformation. During this workshop, they will present their work, explain how to use the tool, and provide opportunities to practice using it. Participants will walk away with ideas for how to reduce the spread of misinformation, encourage changes in beliefs, and maintain relationships.

Come to B204 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 894 3033 1557; Passcode: 063862)


Presenter Bios

Photo of Madeline Jalbert

Dr. Madeline Jalbert is a Postdoctoral School in the Information School at the University of Washington. She completed her Ph.D. in Social Psychology at the University of Southern California. Madeline studies how context and subjective experiences influence memory, judgment, and decision-making. Her work primarily focuses on factors that impact judgments of truth and risk, as well as how these judgments play out in naturalistic contexts. The goal of this work is to shed light on effective strategies for preventing and correcting the spread of misinformation.


Photo of Morgan Wack

Morgan Wack is a Doctoral Candidate in Political Science at the University of Washington. Morgan’s research interests emphasize the political consequences that result from the dissemination and use of novel communication and identification technologies, particularly in the Global South. Specifically, has worked to examine how communication technologies influence support for democratic institutions and perceptions of electoral legitimacy. In addition to his academic work, Morgan has assisted government agencies and NGOs in several countries on issues related to healthcare, education, and misinformation.

Where: T119

Are you a student at Bellevue College?
Do you ever talk with other students?
Do you feel comfortable or uncomfortable, safe or unheard in bringing up your own perspectives about topics that matter to you?

This is the first of three campus-wide conversations about how to make campus a safe, welcoming, and judgment-free environment for Bellevue College students to discuss campus, state, and even international issues that are important to them. Join us for this nonpartisan, open-to-different-perspectives conversation about how we have conversations at Bellevue College and across our communities.  

Facilitated by Madison Curry, President’s Student Civic Fellow

Join the Conversation at T119!

Where: D106 | Zoom

In this session, participants will learn how April Ambalina successfully incorporated dialogue and story-telling into a medical-surgical nursing classroom to begin to unpack health inequities. She will talk about how she promoted discussions on systemic racism and bias, as well as utilize storytelling to illustrate how health inequities impact real people and their experiences. Lastly, April will talk through how she would encourage students to share their own personal experiences, and how she would create a safe and supportive environment for all voices to be heard.

Come to D106 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 841 2555 3243; Passcode: 936731)


Presenter Bio

Photo of April Ambalina

April Ambalina is an Associate Professor of Nursing with a Master’s in Health Sciences Education and over 10 years of nursing education experience. She has taught and mentored nursing students and nurses internationally, including a community health clinical course in the Dominican Republic. April is an avid international traveler with a strong foundation in intercultural awareness. During the pandemic, she created innovative ways to bring lab work and skills testing to students virtually, using YouTube and social media to increase engagement and build community.

Where: Bellevue College Residence Hall 2nd Floor Lounge | Zoom | ASL Interpretation

How can music and performance be tools for radical movements? What is the power of youth activism as a force for change? How can art facilitate bridgebuilding in the face of complex problems?

Miriam (of queer/punk string band Foraging and the Rattling Bones) will share songs and stories from the front lines of her ongoing efforts to foster social revolution in this changing world. A plaintiff on the federal climate change lawsuit Juliana v. US, as well as a long time climate justice activist, Miriam has spent the last 10 years exploring the art of conversation in the context of climate catastrophe. This event will expand on the intersections between music and cohesive activist movements, and specifically how music can be a tool for deeper conversations.

Co-Sponsored by the Bellevue College Office of Sustainability

Come to the H Building or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 856 5887 7383; Passcode: 298275)


Performer Bio

Photo of Miriam Oommen playing a fiddle with a campfire in background

Miriam Oommen (she/they) is a queer Malayali-American climate justice organizer, musician and public speaker. Born and raised in the pacific northwest, they are notably a plaintiff on the federal climate change lawsuit Juliana vs. US, as well as on the Board of Directors of the activist defense law nonprofit the Civil Liberties Defense Center. A multi-instrumentalist and music teacher, Miriam is a songwriter, fiddler and vocalist in the queer/punk old time string band Foraging and the Rattling Bones. They co-host a weekly old time jam in Eugene, Oregon, facilitate direct action trainings and speak on the intersection between music and social justice.

Where: B204 | Zoom

Locally, supporting our homeless communities often seems like an impossible task. How do we balance the needs of our vulnerable unhoused populations and the concerns around safety presented by community residents and businesses? Globally, growing changes in climate threaten both marginalized communities and future generations alike. How do we balance the worries around less happiness in a more chaotic future and the social and economic needs of our current world?

Nico Quijano and Miriam Oommen will talk about their efforts to build bridges around the issues of local homelessness and climate justice, respectively. Join the discussion of their challenges, successes, and lessons learned along the way for how conversation can help break through our polarized world and move us all towards solutions.

Facilitated by Sapan Parekh, Associate Director RISE Learning Institute

Come to B204 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 854 3815 6120; Passcode: 875686)


Presenter Bios

Photo of Miriam Oommen playing fiddle with campfire in background

Miriam Oommen (she/they) is a queer Malayali-American climate justice organizer, musician and public speaker. Born and raised in the pacific northwest, they are notably a plaintiff on the federal climate change lawsuit Juliana vs. US, as well as on the Board of Directors of the activist defense law nonprofit the Civil Liberties Defense Center. A multi-instrumentalist and music teacher, Miriam is a songwriter, fiddler and vocalist in the queer/punk old time string band Foraging and the Rattling Bones. They co-host a weekly old time jam in Eugene, Oregon, facilitate direct action trainings and speak on the intersection between music and social justice.


Photo of Nico Quijano in forest with baby

Nico Quijano is the Homelessness Outreach Program Manager for the City of Bellevue, with prior professional experience as an elementary school teacher and as an outreach worker, case manager, and director at a nonprofit serving teens and young adults experiencing homelessness. Nico is originally from New York, married into the PNW, has an adorable two year old, plays guitar, runs marathons, enjoys a good pizza, and loves to engage the public. Please reach out (via phone at 425.229.5819 or e-mail at NQuijano@bellevuewa.gov) with any questions or concerns regarding homelessness.

Where: Residence Hall 2nd Floor Lounge

Are you a student at Bellevue College?
Do you ever talk with other students?
Do you feel comfortable or uncomfortable, safe or unheard in bringing up your own perspectives about topics that matter to you?

This is the second of three campus-wide conversations about how to make campus a safe, welcoming, and judgment-free environment for Bellevue College students to discuss campus, state, and even international issues that are important to them. Join us for this nonpartisan, open-to-different-perspectives conversation about how we have conversations at Bellevue College and across our communities.

Facilitated by Madison Curry, President’s Student Civic Fellow

Join the Conversation at the H Building!

Where: D106 | Zoom

This session will explore media and social media representations and help give participants tools to effectively counter media bias, stereotypical tropes, and Eurocentric narratives about the world around us, to better understand each other through authentic narratives and inclusive approaches.

Come to D106 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 833 1341 0609; Passcode: 023436)


Presenter Bio

Photo of Salam Awad

Salam Awad is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Bellevue College. Her research and teaching interests include international relations, post-colonial studies, the Middle East, social movements, refugees, and human rights. She is an avid reader, art enthusiast, and lover of history. Her courses typically focus on critical applications of politics and provide new perspectives to help students critically analyze global issues.

Where: Main Campus N201 | Zoom | ASL Interpretation

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs discusses how proactive messaging and outreach, increased voter education and engagement, and the power of the vote each play a key role in fighting election disinformation.

Come to N201 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 870 5115 2217; Passcode: 869134)


Presenter Bio

Photo of Steve Hobbs

Steve Hobbs is Washington’s 16th Secretary of State. He began his tenure in 2021 and was elected by the people of Washington in November 2022. Secretary Hobbs leads the office responsible for managing state and local elections, corporation and charity filings, Washington State Library, Washington State Archives, and a number of other community programs.

Previously, he was the state senator for Washington’s 44th legislative district, having first been elected in 2006. Secretary Hobbs is a lieutenant colonel in the Washington Army National Guard. He holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington.

Where: Bellevue College Board Room (B201) | Zoom

Join Washington State’s Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs, for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on voter engagement and civic participation. Talk to Secretary Hobbs about concerns and barriers to voting that many people face, and explore ways, through open and honest dialogue, that our community can help create positive change and foster a more inclusive democracy.

Facilitated by Mandie Mauldin, President’s Faculty Civic Fellow

Come to B201 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 871 7887 3851; Passcode: 700538)


Presenter Bio

Photo of Steve Hobbs

Steve Hobbs is Washington’s 16th Secretary of State. He began his tenure in 2021 and was elected by the people of Washington in November 2022. Secretary Hobbs leads the office responsible for managing state and local elections, corporation and charity filings, Washington State Library, Washington State Archives, and a number of other community programs.

Previously, he was the state senator for Washington’s 44th legislative district, having first been elected in 2006. Secretary Hobbs is a lieutenant colonel in the Washington Army National Guard. He holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington.

Where: D106 | Zoom

In this session, participants will go through a learning activity that involves preparing for a skit, staging the skit, and finally, reflecting upon the skit. The preparation, staging and reflection process is structured using relational support dialogue (RSD) model, which highlights the link between invisible presence of power and visible communication behaviors. Key questions are asked and answered to guide such reflection and expression. Participants will have opportunity express their thoughts and feelings both individually and in small group settings. This session is suitable for students, faculty and staff members.

Come to D106 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 839 9132 5067; Passcode: 338541)


Presenter Bio

Photo of Li Liu

Dr. Li Liu has been teaching at Bellevue College for over ten years. She regularly offers CMST 280, intercultural communication, a course that explores ethnocentrism, bias and prejudice on social members’ communication choices. She received her Ph.D in intercultural communication from University of Washington, and MA in international communication from Peking University in Beijing.

Where: Main Campus N201 | Zoom | ASL Interpretation

We live in a moment where it’s easy to divide and hard to bring people together. Where the loudest voices in our society dominate the conversation, while the rest of us stay quiet and disengage. It’s time to change that! Join Manu Meel, the CEO of BridgeUSA, to discuss how we can build a new vision for our democracy at Bellevue College. A vision that prioritizes curiosity, open-mindedness, and understanding for those we disagree with. Manu is building a youth-led movement with 70 college and high school chapters across the country. What’s his goal? To elevate a culture where we listen to each other, disagree productively, and create space for respect. Why? If we lose the ability to talk to each other, we don’t have a democracy- it’s that simple.

For this event, Manu will be joined by BC students Emilio Palma, Madison Curry, and Marc Kot.

Come to N201 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 835 2037 1087; Passcode: 940423)


Presenter Bio

Photo of Manu Meel

Manu Meel is passionate about empowering young people to bridge divides. He believes that the biggest threat to American democracy is affective polarization and growing misunderstanding between Americans. As CEO of BridgeUSA, Manu is currently building the largest and fastest growing student movement to bridge our differences and change how we talk politics. Manu contributes to several news outlets, works on pro-democracy efforts nationally, and advises political leaders on reducing polarization. In the past, Manu worked as an associate at the venture capital firm Amplo and at the Department of State as a political analyst in counterterrorism. His work has been featured in The New York TimesThe Washington Post, and other media platforms. In 2022, Manu was recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for leading BridgeUSA.

Where: Bellevue College Board Room (B201) | Zoom

While in college, Manu Meel helped to found a student group that later expanded into a nationwide movement for civic engagement, BridgeUSA. Manu works with colleges and college students to facilitate and foster opportunities for dialogue that addresses polarization head on. This fast-growing student movement focuses on how we bridge our differences and change the way we talk about politics. And while this work engages directly with students, he understands that all who work at a college have a role to play in shaping its culture.

Join Manu for an informal conversation about how each of us can play a role in shaping our civic culture here at Bellevue College, how we balance free speech with safety, and how we contribute to the community we want – both on and off campus. This event will be both in person and virtual, and is open to faculty, staff, students, administrators, and Trustees.

Facilitated by Sapan Parekh, Associate Director RISE Learning Institute

Come to B201 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 874 0352 5971; Passcode: 072046)


Presenter Bio

Photo of Manu Meel

Manu Meel is passionate about empowering young people to bridge divides. He believes that the biggest threat to American democracy is affective polarization and growing misunderstanding between Americans. As CEO of BridgeUSA, Manu is currently building the largest and fastest growing student movement to bridge our differences and change how we talk politics. Manu contributes to several news outlets, works on pro-democracy efforts nationally, and advises political leaders on reducing polarization. In the past, Manu worked as an associate at the venture capital firm Amplo and at the Department of State as a political analyst in counterterrorism. His work has been featured in The New York TimesThe Washington Post, and other media platforms. In 2022, Manu was recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for leading BridgeUSA.

Where: D106 | Zoom

Join us for a special event featuring the founder of BridgeUSA, a national organization dedicated to promoting constructive dialogue and civic engagement on college campuses. This is event designed for faculty members who are interested in learning how to bring meaningful conversations and civic participation to their classrooms and campus.

Facilitated by Mandie Mauldin, President’s Faculty Civic Fellow

Come to D106 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 817 3043 0937; Passcode: 555167)


Presenter Bio

Photo of Manu Meel

Manu Meel is passionate about empowering young people to bridge divides. He believes that the biggest threat to American democracy is affective polarization and growing misunderstanding between Americans. As CEO of BridgeUSA, Manu is currently building the largest and fastest growing student movement to bridge our differences and change how we talk politics. Manu contributes to several news outlets, works on pro-democracy efforts nationally, and advises political leaders on reducing polarization. In the past, Manu worked as an associate at the venture capital firm Amplo and at the Department of State as a political analyst in counterterrorism. His work has been featured in The New York TimesThe Washington Post, and other media platforms. In 2022, Manu was recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for leading BridgeUSA.

Where: C130A

While in college, Manu Meel helped to found a student group that later expanded into a nationwide movement for civic engagement, BridgeUSA. This fast-growing student movement focuses on how we bridge our differences and change the way we talk about politics. Come chat with Manu and learn more about building bridges with those around you even when it seems impossible or unproductive. Explore the power you have as students to make a change on your campus and in your communities.

Facilitated by Madison Curry, President’s Student Civic Fellow

Join the Conversation at C130A!


Presenter Bio

Photo of Manu Meel

Manu Meel is passionate about empowering young people to bridge divides. He believes that the biggest threat to American democracy is affective polarization and growing misunderstanding between Americans. As CEO of BridgeUSA, Manu is currently building the largest and fastest growing student movement to bridge our differences and change how we talk politics. Manu contributes to several news outlets, works on pro-democracy efforts nationally, and advises political leaders on reducing polarization. In the past, Manu worked as an associate at the venture capital firm Amplo and at the Department of State as a political analyst in counterterrorism. His work has been featured in The New York TimesThe Washington Post, and other media platforms. In 2022, Manu was recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree for leading BridgeUSA.

Where: Bellevue College Social Justice Center (B207)

Gain tools to respond to harm & build community while discussing relevant scenarios and
restorative principles.

Facilitated by Megan Kaptik, Manager of Student Conduct; and Abner Pagunuran, DEI Advocate Manager

Sponsored by the Bellevue College Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Attendance at this Workshop is not counted towards the BC prizes.

Register for the Event.

Where: D106 | Zoom

Join this interactive workshop focused on teaching tables, a strategy for students to implement active listening, respectful dialogue, and guided mediation. Learn how to establish ground rules for interactions while addressing disagreements and conflicts constructively. You will also learn how to maintain confidentiality during teaching table presentations. In this workshop, teaching tables are used to help you gain practical skills in fostering respect, nurturing positive interactions, and leveraging disagreements for personal growth in your classroom. This thought-provoking session will empower you to create a supportive and inclusive environment for productive discussions and collaborative problem-solving.

Come to D106 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 886 4898 1248; Passcode: 573082)


Presenter Bio

Photo of Shadi Kanan

Dr. Shadi Kanan joined Bellevue College as full-time faculty in the HSEWI Division / Nursing Program. Shadi joined Bellevue College directly after he got his doctorate degree in Nursing from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio in the Summer of 2020.

Shadi started his nursing career after he got his bachelor’s degree of nursing (BSN) from Jordan University of Science & Technology/ Jordan in 2001. He also went on to receive his Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing from the same university in 2005. Shadi’s nursing career began on a cath-Lab unit, but the majority of his experience has been spent in nursing education in several universities and colleges . Shadi believes that delivering nursing care to a person is an honour and that teaching future nurses of tomorrow is a blessing. He is excited to apply this principle to his teaching role to help shape the next generation of Bellevue College nurses.

Where: D106 | Zoom

Join your staff and administrator colleagues for a lunchtime conversation about how we can engage with and contribute to our campus civic culture. Let’s explore our unique perspectives, often but not always working behind the scenes to ensure student success. What does our unique vantage point provide when building a community that welcomes students and colleagues of all backgrounds and beliefs?

Bring food to share, if you prefer. Come join us for this final conversation of Voices United.

Facilitated by Sapan Parekh, Associate Director RISE Learning Institute

Come to D106 or Join Zoom (Meeting ID: 820 3234 5720; Passcode: 726352)

Last Updated August 1, 2023