A conversation with Terri Givens, St. Mike’s MLK Convocation speaker on radical empathy

Author, professor, and entrepreneur Terri Givens is the headlining keynote speaker for Saint Michael’s College’s 33rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation this January.

Givens is a professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia. She is also the past CEO of the Center for Higher Education Leadership and has worked with a variety of colleges, universities, and education tech companies on issues related to innovation and excellence in higher education. She has written a number of books on the intersection of race and politics, as well as bridging divides and employing radical empathy. 

These themes will be among the ones she addresses to the Saint Michael’s community on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 4 p.m. in the McCarthy Arts Center Recital Hall.

In advance of her talk, we asked Givens some questions about radical empathy and to share some wisdom with today’s students. A Q&A with Givens is below, which has been lightly edited for clarity. 

Terri Givens, Professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia.

The theme for Saint Michael’s College’s 33rd Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation is Beloved Community: Radical Empathy. That title is tied to the concepts you’ve written about in your books. How do you interpret this theme, what do you hope it conveys?  

Terri Givens: I believe it conveys a sense of hope and desire to take action for a better future at the personal and community level. We all have so much to give, and it is important to connect first with ourselves to understand how best to use our gifts to support our community.

Radical empathy is the subject of a couple of your books. Can you describe the concept?  

Givens: There are six steps to radical empathy, and it is important to remember that this is an ongoing process of self-discovery and taking action:

1. Willingness to be vulnerable.
2. Being grounded in who you are.
3. Being open to the experiences of others.
4. Practicing empathy.
5. Taking action.
6. Creating change and building trust.

How can one put radical empathy into practice? 

Givens: It depends on the individual. There are many paths to taking action, but I urge people to start with themselves and then determine what types of action are well suited to their skill set. Practicing empathy is something we can do on a daily basis as we interact with friends and colleagues. Putting yourself in somebody else’s shoes is important for understanding why people may react the way they do, but we can also take actions as simple as thanking someone, listening to someone in need, or even self-care.

The Fierce Urgency of Now community mural, which was painted to reflect the theme of the 2024 Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation at Saint Michael’s College. (Photo by Cat Cutillo)

What do you hope attendees will take away from your presentation at Saint Michael’s?  

Givens: That they have the power to create change.

You are a professor of political science. Though you are teaching in Canada and have focused on European politics, I expect you are familiar with the U.S. political climate and the interpersonal divisions that have developed over political ideology in this country. This year, MLK Day coincides with the U.S. presidential inauguration. Without focusing explicitly on policy or party, what can we take from Dr. King’s teachings and the concept of radical empathy when communing with people of differing persuasions or ideologies? 

Givens: We need to show compassion as well as empathy for people who feel left out or left behind by our political situation, not only in the U.S. but in many other places where inequality is hurting people. We need to understand the factors that are creating inequality and look to leaders and organizations who want to create change.

What is a piece of wisdom you have learned that you think would be helpful to the students of today?  

Givens: Take advantage of what is around you, particularly your fellow students. Some of my strongest relationships are those that I made in college. They can be the people who will help you reach your goals but also get to know your professors. We are here for you!

We are happy to have you in Vermont. Have you been here before, and what are looking forward to during your time here?  

Givens: It has been a long time since I was in Vermont! It’s a beautiful state, and I’m looking forward to getting to know Burlington a bit better, as well as the campus.

Find the extended list of Saint Michael’s College’s 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation activities here.>>