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Dear Colleagues,

I am excited to share with you a new initiative we will launch this Fall:

The Year of Intellectual Empathy. 

Last year we introduced the Office of Holistic Excellence with the objectives of:  

• promoting diversity of thought, which we define as multifaceted thinking that hinges on openness to an array of social and disciplinary perspectives, and that may span multiple and sometimes conflicting narratives, and
   
• practicing intellectual empathy, which stems from approaching the perspectives and experiences of others as authentic and credible, and from an awareness that our own perspectives and experiences are influenced by our relationships and social standpoints.

For the 2025-26 academic year, we will place a special focus on fostering intellectual empathy on our campus due to its importance in understanding, appreciating, and considering alternative experiences, knowledge, and perspectives — especially when they differ from our own. In addition, we will focus on contrasting grand narratives, academic paradigms, and different ways of knowing and reasoning, with the goal being to authentically understand rather than dismiss. Through this initiative, we hope to strengthen respectful, productive dialogue that reduces polarization and promotes self-reflection and collaborative knowledge seeking.  

This initiative will be co-led by Professors Marie Waung, Co-Director of the Office of Holistic Excellence, and Maureen Linker, Associate Provost and author of the landmark book Intellectual Empathy. 

Events and activities will include a distinguished speakers series, support for research projects that integrate different narratives or paradigms, SURE grants, and a "Janus¹ Comparative Narratives" colloquium, among other exciting activities. 

Professors Waung and Linker will form a campus advisory committee to refine the details and programming of this initiative. The advisory committee will be asked to consider ways to encourage and support the development of program or course proposals that include content spanning multiple different academic or disciplinary frameworks. These proposals should foster diversity of thought, intellectual empathy, and assist students in developing a better sense of their identity, purpose, and agency.

I am hopeful that this effort will enrich our campus community collectively and inspire each of us individually.

Go Blue - Go Dearborn!

Domenico Grasso
Chancellor