SUNY Oswego will host a keynote speaker talking about navigating political conflict as part of the Counseling Centers of New York Conference on campus May 29 to 31.

Educator, author and in-demand speaker Tania Israel will present the conference keynote, “All I need to know about political conflict I learned from The Wizard of Oz,” at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, in the Marano Campus Center Auditorium, room 132. The talk is free and open to the campus community.

The talk addresses how social media algorithms, provocative news and clashing politicians can cause campus staff, faculty, students and administrators to experience the impact of national political division. Knowing that interpersonal relationships, mental health and community belongingness are sometimes stretched to the breaking point, Israel draws on a familiar and imaginative narrative, to take her audience on a journey down the yellow brick road and help them navigate the challenges of living in politically polarized times. This program aims to employ evidence and insights to help attendees feel informed, empowered and optimistic.

Use this form to RSVP to Tania Israel’s talk.

Tania Israel is a professor of counseling psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara UCSB and award-winning author of “Beyond Your Bubble: How to Connect Across the Political Divide, Skills and Strategies for Conversations That Work.” 

She has shared her expertise on dialogue across political differences on NBC’s “Today” show, the New York Times, the Washington Post, NPR and dozens of other media outlets. 

Known for her public speaking and facilitation skills, Israel’s work has been well received by professional conferences, corporations, campuses, political organizations, campuses and faith communities.

In addition, her expertise in LGBTQ psychology has been solicited by the Institute of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health and the White House; and she has received honors for her research and advocacy from Congress, the American Psychological Association, and the California Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. 

Israel has two widely viewed TEDx talks (on bisexuality and on how to win a political argument), and she brings a spirit of innovation and whimsy to her presentations, performances, and other creative projects. To learn more, visit taniaisrael.com.

CCNY is composed of counseling staff from public and private colleges and universities across the state. For more information about this conference, visit the CCNY conference website.