SUSI Student Alumni Engagement Modules

COVID - 19 has proved to be a challenging component of 2020 for many and the Dialogue Institute was no exception. This year, the Dialogue Institute hosted SUSI students virtually, rather than in person. We were fortunate enough to be able to work with Meridian International Center and the State Department to host an Alumni Engagement series in lieu of in person programming this year. Each month from August 2020 until January 2021 Meridian International Center and the Dialogue Institute will host one program module each. Meridian has focused on maintaining the 2019 cohort community through engagement in arts and pandemic response. The Dialogue Institute modules focus on networking, COVID- 19 response and site visits in their own communities to name a few.

Our online program allowed the Dialogue Institute to connect SUSI and YSEALI Religious Freedom alumni from 2010 all the way through to 2019. Our first modules included students from Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the United States. The virtual alumni programing provides an excellent networking opportunity for all cohorts. It has been wonderful for Dialogue Institute staff to be able to catch up with so many of our former students and see where they are today. We are grateful for this unique opportunity to work together with so many alumni and continue to build our Dialogue Institute Network.