Co-facilitators
Intergroup Dialogue (IGD) intentionally brings together co-facilitators of differing gender backgrounds to model cross-identity partnerships and dialogic modes of inquiry. In alignment with these goals, in my IGD work, I regularly co-facilitate with the colleagues listed below.
Dr. Charles Behling
Dr. Charles Behling (he/him) is retired after 15 years as Co-Director of The Program on Intergroup Relations at the University of Michigan. During his tenure, the program was cited by President Clinton’s Initiative on Race as one of fourteen “Promising Practices” that successfully bridge racial divides in American communities. In addition, the program received awards from the U.S. Department of Education, the American Association of Higher Education, the American College Personnel Association, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and TIAA-CREF.
In retirement, he has consulted with more than 70 universities across the U.S. and Canada regarding the creation of intergroup dialogue programs. Earlier in his career, Dr. Behling was a professor and psychology department chair at Lake Forest College, and then a professor and director of undergraduate studies at the University of Buffalo. He won awards for outstanding teaching from both institutions. Lake Forest College’s award for promotion of cultural diversity is named for him, and he received a University of Buffalo award for services to students from underrepresented social groups.
His Ph.D. and M.A. are from Vanderbilt University. Prior to entering psychology, he worked as a newspaper reporter in South Carolina, and holds an M.A. in journalism from the University of South Carolina. His interests in social justice are shaped by his having grown up in the rural South in the days of Jim Crow, before the Civil Rights Movement.
Jersey cosantino
Jersey Cosantino (they/them), doctoral candidate in Cultural Foundations of Education at Syracuse University (SU), co-facilitated the SU Intergroup Dialogue Program course, Dialogue on Racism and Antiracism, for 10 semesters. Jersey infuses anti-oppressive, mindful, embodied, healing justice, and disability justice-based practices and frameworks into dialogues across differences.
A former K-12 educator, Jersey holds certificates of advanced study in women’s and gender studies and disability studies. Currently, they are developing and co-facilitating workshops at Mount Holyoke College on using IGD and peer support frameworks to support neurodivergent and neuroexpansive learners. They also facilitate affinity groups for neurodivergent Mount Holyoke faculty and staff.
A Mad studies and trans studies scholar, Jersey’s research develops and employs a Mad trans oral history methodology that centers and archives the experiences of Mad (a reclaimed socio-political identity for individuals with mental health conditions and labels of mental “illness”), neurodivergent, neuroexpansive, and trans narrators. In addition to co-developing the field of MadTrans Studies, Jersey is the co-editor of the International Mad Studies Journal, consulting editor for the Journal of Queer and Trans Studies in Education, and co-editor of the forthcoming book, Mad Studies and Education: Critical Pedagogy and Mad Praxis in the Classroom.
A former Trans Lifeline call operator, Jersey holds a master’s degree in high school English education (‘14) and a graduate certificate in mindfulness studies (‘19) from Lesley University, and a bachelor’s degree in English and studio art from Wellesley College (‘09). They are a certified mindfulness teacher and soon to be certified mind-body coach and somatic stress release practitioner.
Dr. molly keehn
Dr. Molly Keehn (she/her) has a background in higher education, and has been leading trainings and workshops in the community, and teaching Intergroup Dialogue and Social Justice courses at the undergraduate and graduate level for the past twenty years. She received her doctorate in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2014, researching connection, vulnerability, and personal storytelling as practices to enhance understanding across difference. Molly currently works at Mount Holyoke College, as a consultant for the Intergroup Dialogue Center, co-facilitating Intergroup Dialogues on race and racism and supporting IGD facilitation trainings for faculty, staff and students. Molly is the co-creator of CoJourn, a peer support and accountability framework designed to help people build connection and make movement toward their goals (www.cojourn.org) and co-author of the book “CoJourn: Harnessing the Power of Connection to Tune into Your Wisdom, Achieve Your Goals, and Create the Life You Want. ” In addition to being a passionate Social Justice educator and connection building, she is also a runner, triathlete, pug enthusiast, a budding accordionist, and an eternal optimist.
Dr. Susan layden
Dr. Susan Layden (she/her) is the Chief of Staff and Senior Director for Student Success in the Division of Campus Life. In this role, Sue is charged with leading initiatives that bring together the work of the entire division of Campus Life. Sue helps lead efforts in Brown’s Community Dialogue and Discovery Through Dialogue initiatives.
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Sue previously served as Senior Associate Dean for Student Success at Claremont McKenna College (CMC). Among her responsibilities, Sue led the development and implementation of a range of initiatives to support student success, wellbeing, and access. She brought Intergroup Dialogue Programming to CMC and other 5C institutions. For their work, Sue and her colleagues on the Student Success Team were recognized with the 2022 CMC Inclusive Excellence Team Award.
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Prior to coming to CMC, Sue was the Research Analyst for Enrollment, Retention and Student Achievement at Skidmore College, and also served as the Associate Dean of Student Affairs. She was also a member of the leadership group responsible for creating the Intergroup Relations (IGR) minor at Skidmore in 2012.
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Sue earned a Ph.D. in literacy education and anthropology, an M.S. Ed. in literacy and reading from College of St. Rose, and a B.A. with a major in psychology from Siena College.
