Sherry K. Watt is a Professor in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at the UI Department of Educational Policy and Leadership Studies. Dr. Watt has been at the University of Iowa since 2000 and previously she worked as an assistant professor in Student Affairs Administration at Radford University. Prior to becoming a faculty member, she worked as a residence life director and a career counselor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina State University and Shaw University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from University of North Carolina at Greensboro and masters and doctoral degrees in Counselor Education, with an emphasis in student affairs, from North Carolina State University. In addition to her academic degrees, she is a nationally certified counselor and holds a counseling license in the state of North Carolina. Professor Watt’s area of research explores various reactions people have to difficult dialogues related to social issues. This line of inquiry extends into studies about how to facilitate individual skill development and create environmental conditions for productive controversial dialogues.  She has been a facilitator prepared by the Center for Courage and Renewal since 2007. Dr. Watt has over 25 years of experience in designing and leading educational experiences that involve strategies to engage participants in dialogue that is meaningful, passionate, and self-awakening.