ACUE

Introducing New Professional Learning Opportunities Through ACUE’s Deliberative Dialogue Series

Texas Woman’s University is pleased to announce our participation in a new national initiative with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) to strengthen civil discourse, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving in our classrooms. Through this partnership—supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York—all TWU faculty will gain complimentary access to the ACUE Commons and its new Deliberative Dialogue Quick Study series.

The Deliberative Dialogue series consists of five flexible one‑hour microcourses designed to help faculty foster constructive conversations, encourage critical thinking, and equip students with the communication and collaboration skills they need for success in college, career, and civic life. 

Through the ACUE Commons

Faculty will be able to:

• Access nationally recognized teaching strategies that strengthen dialogue and engagement in the classroom
• Join a community of educators committed to advancing respectful exploration and mutual understanding
• Enhance student engagement while supporting a campus culture that values collaboration and global citizenship.

These opportunities align strongly with TWU’s commitment to creating learning environments where all students feel seen, heard, and intellectually challenged.

Practical Guidance Offered in the Deliberative Dialogue Series

• Helps faculty explain the purpose and value of deliberative dialogue so students understand how it supports deeper engagement with complex issues.
• Provides direction on selecting meaningful topics, determining the right timing, preparing students with essential context, and reinforcing learning through thoughtful assessment.
• Offers strategies to build student readiness by setting shared expectations, teaching effective listening skills, and giving students opportunities to practice before major discussions.
• Shares approaches for starting dialogue sessions confidently by revisiting norms, framing issues clearly, and presenting multiple perspectives to prompt thoughtful participation.
• Guides faculty in facilitating structured conversations, navigating challenges in real time, and using debriefing methods that help students reflect and apply insights.

This initiative offers meaningful professional development that supports both new and experienced instructors seeking to deepen student engagement and cultivate a welcoming classroom culture.

Coming Soon

In the coming days, faculty will receive an invitation with instructions for accessing the ACUE Commons platform. We encourage you to explore the Deliberative Dialogue series and consider how these practices might enrich your teaching and support your students’ success.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to educational excellence at TWU. We are confident that this partnership with ACUE will further empower us to model the thoughtful, collaborative dialogue our world needs.

Questions?

Please reach out to facultycommons@twu.edu

Page last updated 2:41 PM, February 19, 2026