Open OHIO

Open OHIO is a forum needed now more than ever, an opportunity to bring us together in dialogue when so many would keep us apart. We will not always agree but we will always engage in an effort to move forward together.

—Geoff Dabelko
Professor and Associate Dean, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs

Open OHIO provides a forum to encourage an open, honest exchange of viewpoints and ideas in ways that are mutually respectful for all participants. Respectful understanding and consideration of others’ viewpoints will contribute to a more engaged and more conversant community. We can improve our world one conversation at a time.

—Stephanie Howe
Associate Director for Human Capitol and Operations

I think this is an engaging way to learn about topics that individuals think are important, while meeting in an informal setting.

—Chris Knisely
President, Athens City Council

I am proud to be a part of Open OHIO because I think it is important to have safe spaces to have real dialogue about things that are important to us and our community. We learn things when we talk and listen to others.

—Lesli Johnson
Associate Professor, Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs

I think open dialogue is a critical, missing piece in our culture today. Practicing it more regularly has the potential to transform our ability to connect with others and solve challenges on a global scale.

—Meg Little
Student Candidate for Master of Science in Environmental Studies

This is a critical issue in society – communicating in healthy ways – listening, feeling that others are listening. Open hearts open minds.

—Loraine McCosker
Environmental Studies Instructor and Outreach Coordinator

We seem to live in a time where people don’t engage in face-to-face dialogue about potentially difficult or vulnerable topics. My hope is for the conversations to be a place where participants can reveal feelings and thoughts to people who otherwise wouldn’t get to hear them and vice versa.

— Connie Patterson
Assistant Dean of Academic Engagement and Outreach, Patton College of Education

As a staff member at CPS and community member, I hold a commitment to advocating for respect, dignity, and inclusion throughout the OHIO community and our region. We support opportunities and spaces like Open OHIO, for people across diverse backgrounds, identities, and varied perspectives to connect, to be heard, to listen, to be creative and engage around what is meaningful personally and in our communities.

— Rachel Siegel
Senior Staff, Counseling and Psychological Services, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

We are building connections to form a strong, vibrant campus and community.

— Susan Urano
Executive Director, Athens County Foundation