Lisa M. Perhamus was the inaugural Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professor of Civil Discourse at Grand Valley State University and now serves as director of the center.

Lisa serves as the inaugural director of the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse and is a professor at the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies. Earning her Ph.D. from
the University of Rochester in Curriculum Studies, her Masters in Sociology from The New School for Social Research, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from William Smith College with a double major in English and Religious Studies, Lisa’s interdisciplinary background continues to inspire her current civil discourse work. She grounds herself in the idea that every person has a right to be understood, and through her teaching, scholarship, and service, Lisa seeks ways to elevate people’s stories in the face of societal barriers that often silence people. Originally from upstate NY, Lisa enjoys spending time with family and friends; working in her intergenerational garden; and going on backpacking adventures.

Dr. Perhamus is available via email or phone at [email protected] or (616) 331-6736.

Greg Warsen is the fifth Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professor of Civil Discourse at Grand Valley.

Dr. Warsen also serves on the faculty of the Educational Leadership Department and as the Graduate Program Director for the Educational Specialist in Leadership which prepares future central office administrators. Prior to this appointment, he served in PK-12 roles for 25 years initially as an ELA and Psychology teacher and then for 20 years as an administrator at both the building and central office level, including the Superintendency. He earned his master’s and doctorate degrees at Western Michigan University.

Dr. Warsen can be most easily reached at [email protected].

Maureen Strand coordinates the programming of the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse.

Maureen has attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College and is currently pursuing a double major at Grand Valley State University in psychology and non-profit administration. In addition to supporting the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, Maureen serves as the coordinator for the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies Dean’s Office, as well as the Supplemental Writing Skills/Writing Across the Curriculum program.

You may connect with Maureen at [email protected] or 616-331-8236.

Britlynn Veliz is the Student Fellow for the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse.

Britlynn is currently a junior at Grand Valley State University. She is studying Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in Marketing. In addition to Student Fellow, she is a peer mentor for Laker Familia and an account executive at GVSU’s student-run firm, GrandPR. A quote she lives by is, “There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing” by Elbert Hubbard

Britlynn can be reached via email at [email protected]