WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. — Gabrielle Fomby, a sophomore at Bellarmine University, shared a pivotal fourth-grade experience related to her skin color, sparking a profound discussion among students. “We were sitting criss-cross applesauce,” Fomby said, recalling a classmate’s disparaging remark equating her face to dirt. This incident marked the first time she felt self-conscious about her appearance.
At a weekend retreat for the Bridging the Gap program at the University of the Cumberlands, another Bellarmine junior talked about growing up in a predominantly white town with a racist father. College diversity helped them realize the harmfulness of such a worldview. The retreat gathered 14 students from diverse Kentucky universities to promote understanding across different races, religions, and cultures, as part of a semester-long course.
Data shows increasing campus polarization, with students choosing colleges based on political and diversity factors. Yet, experts note campuses are uniquely positioned to foster dialogue. Stephanie D. Hicks from the University of Michigan highlights how college diversity can help students learn skills to work across differences, impacting future institutions they join.
The Bridging the Gap initiative, launched in 2020, aims to bridge cultural and political divides, with similar programs growing since. The program faces new challenges amid political pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In Kentucky, some universities run the program through DEI offices, although proposed laws threaten such initiatives.
Despite legislative challenges, Bellarmine’s DEI officer, Tomarra Adams, expresses concern over potential future difficulties. Meanwhile, the program continues to engage students in dialogue, emphasizing the importance of listening and understanding differing viewpoints. Co-facilitator Angelika Weaver posed provocative questions to help students practice these skills.
Simon Greer founded Bridging the Gap to combat societal divisiveness by teaching students listening and communication skills. Since 2020, over 50 colleges have engaged with the program. In Kentucky, students participate in virtual sessions and retreats, discussing curriculum and films like “American Neighbor.”
The program aims to attract students from diverse backgrounds. Rebecca Russo of Interfaith America notes increased interest in bridging divides, driven by protest fatigue. Students express a desire to understand both sides of issues, as seen in a 2020 study by Springtide Research Institute.
Bellarmine sophomore Kevine Niyogushima found unexpected personal growth through the program, learning to open up and listen more deeply. The experience encouraged her to reach out beyond her usual circle. As campuses continue to navigate political and cultural challenges, programs like Bridging the Gap offer hope for constructive dialogue and change.
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