K-State Community Building Circles

The primary mission of the Community Building Circles, or CBC, is to invite the Kansas State University community to engage in dialogue that deepens human connection, encourages self-reflection, and increases capacity for empathy and understanding.

Grounded in the principle of equal value of all human beings, this experience provides a structured and supportive environment for sharing personal narratives. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a sense of belonging and connection among peers and colleagues throughout the university community.

Program outcomes

  • Experience appreciation, affirmation and belonging that deepen human connections with others.
  • Increase capacity for perspective-taking, perspective-giving, self-compassion and empathy.
  • Gain experience in deep listening and sharing authentic personal narrative with peers and colleagues.
  • Heighten sense of responsibility for taking action to demonstrate K-State's values (i.e., Connection, Courage, Impact, Stewardship, Learner-Focused and People-Centered).

Circle practice

  • Circles temporarily suspend real and perceived hierarchies. Everyone is equal in the circle.
  • Circles are structured to meet basic human needs for connection through eye contact, proximity to others, and the experience of belonging.
  • Circles support focus and attention away from distractions and conflicting demands.
  • Circles are adopted from indigenous practices to foster empathy through deeper connections.

Expectations

  • Time commitment: 1.5- 2 hours. Participants must be available to attend for the duration of the program.
  • Agree to the touchstones that serve as an agreement between those participating in the dialogue experience.

Themes

Supervisor development

This community-building circle offers participants the opportunity to share stories that highlight the qualities they value most in a supervisor. Through facilitated dialogue, both new and experienced supervisors will engage in self-reflection and explore key interpersonal skills, including communication and emotional intelligence. The experience is designed to increase self-awareness and strengthen commitment to supporting their teams' achievement of organizational goals.

Well-being and resilience

This circle provides a supportive space for participants to share personal stories and lived experiences related to self-care. The dialogue emphasizes personal strengths, adaptability, and the cultivation of self-compassion. Participants will explore the importance of building strong personal and professional connections as a foundation for resilience and well-being. The experience is designed to enhance emotional awareness and strengthen workplace relationships that support ongoing wellness.

Social connections

This community-building circle will allow participants to share fun and lighthearted stories about their life experiences. The facilitated dialogue focuses on the importance of community, connection, and relationship-building across various contexts. The experience is designed to deepen social bonds and increase a sense of belonging within the group.

Civic dialogue

This circle offers participants a chance to reflect on and share their experiences with dialogue in the context of civic engagement. The conversation will focus on fostering mutual understanding, exploring active citizenship, and developing leadership and community-building skills. The experience is designed to enhance approaches for remaining engaged in respectful, constructive dialogue—especially when addressing challenging or polarizing topics.