From Woodstock to TikTok: How History Shapes Our Worldviews: An Intergenerational Panel Discussion

How have the defining moments of our times, from the moon landing to social media movements, shaped how we see the world and our place in it? Join students, community members and local leaders from diverse generations to explore the political and cultural turning points that formed our worldviews and consider how curiosity, listening, and shared purpose can help us build a stronger, more connected county.

Yes, We Should Talk About Religion and Politics: Tools for Brave, Respectful Conversations in a Divided Time
Linda McCarthy and Judy Raper

Many of us were taught to avoid conversations about religion and politics, but avoiding them hasn’t brought us closer together. In a time of deep polarization, the challenge isn’t what we believe, but how we talk about what matters most.

This interactive, one-hour workshop focuses on practical strategies for engaging in respectful, curious conversations across difference. Drawing on ideas from I Never Thought of It That Way and other civic dialogue practices, participants will reflect on how generational experiences shape beliefs and values, and practice tools for listening, asking better questions, and staying connected even when agreement isn’t possible.

Dr. McCarthy has a doctoral degree in Social Justice Education, and has taught at GCC since 2004. Dr. McCarthy teaches a range of sociology courses including Social Inequality, and her classes emphasize the connections between contemporary social issues and core sociological concepts, encouraging students to think critically about the world around them. Dr. Raper has worked at GCC for over 18 years, and currently serves as the Associate Dean for Community Engagement.  She has nearly 40 years of experience in higher education, primarily working in student affairs. She wrote her dissertation on the importance of engaging college students in conversations about religion and spirituality.

Media Literacy: Strategies for Finding Solid Information Online
Claire Lodbell

In this workshop, we’ll discuss our news consumption, including how filter bubbles and confirmation bias influence the news we see and believe. We’ll discuss strategies for identifying AI slop and practice a strategy for evaluating information sources and verifying or debunking claims that we come across.

Claire Lobdell has worked at GCC for 9 years as a reference and instruction librarian and archivist. Some of her research interests include digital privacy, teaching with primary sources, and oral history. Prior to GCC, she worked at Amherst College, The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, and Bunker Hill Community College, among others. In 2017, she published South Windsor, an installment in the Images of America book series. She has an MSLIS from Simmons College and a BA in history from Cornell University.

Building Empathy for Real-World Change
Meckenzie Sarage and Leilani Aires

Empathy isn’t just something you’re born with—it’s something you can build.

In this interactive workshop, participants will explore empathy as a skill rather than a fixed trait. Drawing on research from Jamil Zaki and his book The War for Kindness, we’ll examine how empathy can be strengthened through intentional practice.

Through guided activities and small-group conversations, participants will practice empathy-centered dialogue and consider how empathy can serve as a tool for social change, community engagement, and political conversations. Together, we’ll explore realistic ways to apply these ideas in everyday life—on campus, online, and in our communities.

Meckenzie Sarage was born and raised in Franklin County. She graduated from Boston University in 2025 with a BA in International Relations and Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights Studies. She now works as an adjunct faculty member at Northfield Mount Hermon.

Leilani Aires is a second-year student at GCC studying the social sciences. She graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon in 2024 and will transfer to a 4-year university after this semester, where she plans to study international relations. She currently serves as the Student Senate President and is the founder and president of GCC’s Latine Student Association.