Happy Long Days of Summer (for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere)!
As the days lengthen, it seems that new energy is easier to come by. Oftentimes, that’s because it feels easier to be in connection with others when there is more time, sunshine, and opportunities for gatherings. We hope you are enjoying your time to connect with others, whether through mass protests, backyard gatherings, or a simple lunch with friends.
We encourage you to browse through the current issue of the TGP. More true words couldn’t be found than these, “Through open dialogue, rigorous debate, and the pooling of diverse knowledge and perspectives; groups can collaboratively identify patterns, expose inconsistencies, and arrive at a more coherent understanding of a situation. Groups can transform individual uncertainty into collective clarity.” (Zukor, 2025). I encourage you to read Dr. Zukor’s full article in this summer issue for further identification of the importance of groups in today’s political climate.
Guiding us in recognizing the importance of empathy, especially when working with the LGBTQ+ population, we encourage you to read Dr. Fonseca’s article. Supporting our LGBTQ+ colleagues, clients, and friends it’s critical to cultivate further empathy, especially when they are under attacks in so many places.
Additional perspectives on how to navigate through challenges to DEIB initiatives in higher education is offered by Dr. Songo, as he stated, “Let’s be clear: neutrality is not a morally superior stance in the face of oppression. As Holocaust survivor and political activist Elie Wiesel famously said, “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.” And yet, higher education leadership continues to misinterpret neutrality as professionalism, mistaking polite silence for balance. The result is a culture of avoidance—a culture that prioritizes comfort over justice.”
During summer, I often find myself with more time for reflection and a desire to change interpersonal dynamics. Sometimes, we need some help from colleagues when figuring out how to respond to difficult interpersonal situations. I encourage you to check out Dr. Brown’s article on responding to passive-aggressive colleagues for some helpful considerations. Further wisdom from Dr. Brown can be gleaned from a book review written by Dr. Ribiero, we encourage all teachers of group dynamics and group counseling classes to check out the book review.
Let us know what you love from this summer issue and what topics you want to learn more about in upcoming editions.
Tom & Leann
Tom Treadwell, Ed.D. T.E.P C.G.P.
Editor
Leann Terry Diederich, Ph.D.
Associate Editor
.
.
.
.