NEH Discussion Leader Preparatory Workshop Overview
The NEH Discussion Leader Preparatory Program is designed to equip civilian, veteran, and military-affiliated leaders with the skills needed to facilitate meaningful conversations about the complex issues of war and the way people and societies remember war. The Program will enhance their existing skills in using historical and literary resources and perspectives to understand and process traumatic and life-changing experiences, empowering them to lead reflective and empathetic discussions within their communities.
The Pedagogical Approach for NEH Discussion Leader Development
The NEH Discussion Leader Preparatory Workshop focuses on developing leadership skills in the art of discussion facilitation and close reading of humanities texts (historical monographs, fiction, memoirs, graphic novels, commentaries, speeches, visual artifacts, podcasts, and recorded public meetings). The program emphasizes personal and professional skill building using an intensive workshop format. NEH Discussion Leaders will develop their teaching, mentoring, and coaching skills while conveying the rich content of the humanities. Working with historians, professional writers, and psychologists, they will learn the art of leading discussions that create space for meaningful dialogue that enables participants to talk about their reflections and understandings of key themes in humanities texts as they relate to the recollection and memorialization of war. Faculty and invited guest lecturers model and work closely with NEH Discussion Leaders on ways to handle emotional topics and recognize the varieties of participants’ personal experiences and perspectives while maintaining a focus on the humanities sources we engage.
The Workshop prepares NEH Discussion Leaders to work with veterans and civilians to consider the tough challenges that recalling war presents for people (past and present), and to explore various avenues for reflecting on the work that memory and commemoration does for individuals and society. Participants will enhance their skills in guiding meaningful discussions about traumatic experiences, war, and memorialization, while also developing their educational portfolios, gaining valuable facilitation and teaching experience, and strengthening their leadership abilities to effectively serve their communities.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Workshops
The NEH Discussion Leader Preparatory Workshop takes place online over four (4) intensive days (November 1-2 and November 15-16, 2025) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Pacific Time). The interactive workshop enables hands-on integrated training for participants who will model what they learn, practice facilitation skills in small groups, and have regular interaction with the faculty, one another, and guest lecturers. National University Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty co-design these sessions. This team of expert and award-winning teachers, guest speakers, and veteran leaders are present each day of the workshop. These faculty, guest presenters, and mentors will:
• Facilitate group process and dialogue.
• Build capacities for effective teaching, coaching, and discussion facilitation.
• Conduct practice sessions in close readings of humanities texts and model the articulation of themes.
• Offer professional mentoring and coaching.
