Beyond the Campus Bubble:

Rekindling the Art of Meaningful Conversation

Over lunch this week, my friend Barbara revived the idea of the Salon. If you're unfamiliar with the concept, I'm not talking about hair—it's about conversation. Salons are simply gatherings where dialogue thrives. They were popular in the 17th and 18th centuries as venues for philosophical and political discussions, often hosted by women who selected topics and guided conversations. Today, salons are experiencing a revival, bridging the gap between information sharing and face-to-face interactions.

In our increasingly polarized world, the ability to engage in meaningful dialogue is more crucial than ever, yet our capacity for such conversations has atrophied. We need more opportunities to put our devices down and connect. I believe that higher education administrators and student affairs professionals possess unique skills that can help cultivate this essential capacity, not just on campus but in our broader communities.