Campuses across the country are facing rising levels of conflict and polarization — disruptions that not only affect classroom learning but also erode campus cohesion. National reports highlight the growing need for colleges and universities to foster environments grounded in constructive dialogue and mutual understanding. Faculty recognize this need: in a joint AAC&U and AAUP study, 93% of respondents agreed that faculty value inviting student perspectives from all sides of an issue. Yet despite this consensus, most faculty feel unprepared to lead such classroom exchanges—underscoring the significant and unmet need for professional development in this area across higher education. Facilitating classroom discussion across deep difference is a teachable skill, and without it, classroom conflict is more likely to escalate.

Centers for Teaching and Learning (CTLs) are the hub for faculty development on campus, providing opportunities to refine pedagogy and support transformational learning. CTLs can equip faculty with effective tools and strategies to design courses that foster connection and collaboration among students across deep and meaningful difference. At Interfaith America (IA), we call this pluralism: respect for diverse identities and divergent ideologies, mutually inspiring relationships between diverse communities, and cooperation for the common good. With over two decades of bridgebuilding expertise in U.S. higher education, IA is well-positioned to partner with CTLs in developing and advancing strategies that equip faculty to advance pluralism in their unique classroom environments. Together, we can build campus cultures where faculty are supported, students are empowered, and the classroom becomes a catalyst for pluralism—helping higher education fulfill its public purpose in a diverse and divided world.

The Teaching & Learning Pluralism (TLP) Cohort will support a select group of CTL-based teams with professional development, pedagogical resources, and grants of up to $10,000 to implement pluralism-focused initiatives into their ongoing teaching and learning programming. Each three-person team—comprised of a senior leader from the institution’s CTL and two strategically chosen cross-disciplinary faculty—will participate in both in-person and virtual convenings. As part of the TLP Cohort, teams will develop and execute a plan to establish recurring, high-impact faculty development programming that equips educators to foster pluralism in the classroom. Selected institutions will join the existing Teaching & Learning Pluralism (TLP) pilot cohort to build on tested models and shared learning.