In Action – Universities
Dreaming a Shared Future
Interconnect International (I³) works with universities and academic communities to create participatory, strengths-based spaces for leadership development, reflection, and future visioning. Working with higher education brings together students, faculty, and institutional stakeholders to explore purpose, possibility, and practical pathways forward at departmental, school or university level.
Example: Graduate Student World Building
I³ facilitated a world visioning experience with graduate students, using an Appreciative Inquiry–based model. The process invited students to reflect on individual and community strengths, imagine the kind of world they want to help shape through their professional and personal lives, and discuss tactical steps to move toward the vision.
Through guided reflection, small-group dialogue, and collective visioning, students engaged questions such as:
- What gives life to communities and institutions?
- What does a future look like that reflects our common dreams?
- What things can we do today to help build that future?
The experience emphasized both inner reflection and outward-looking impact, helping students connect values, leadership, and action.
Example: Graduate courses and workshops
We have worked on curriculum and implementation of classes and workshops in transformational leadership, project leadership, and implementing concepts of community building and team development as part of student learning.
These experiences emphasize both inner reflection and outward-looking impact, helping students connect values, leadership, and action. The experiences can be modeled into one time sessions or full graduate coursework.
What this demonstrates
This work shows how Appreciative Inquiry and participatory visioning can be used in university contexts to:
- engage students, faculty and administration in meaningful, future-oriented dialogue
- support leadership formation and ethical reflection
- build connection across disciplines and perspectives
- translate ideas and values into practical initiatives
What I³ Supports in University Settings
Building on this approach, Interconnect International can support universities through:
- Visioning and futures-oriented workshops for students, faculty, or mixed groups
- Strategic planning and renewal processes for departments, programs, or initiatives
- Facilitated conversations with students, alumni, and institutional stakeholders
- Leadership and team development within academic or administrative units or coursework
- Community-connected learning experiences that link reflection, service, and planning
Forming Futures – one-pager on strategic visioning and planning workshops
Community@Work – one pager on team development activities