Dialogue and Inquiry Certificate Program
The Dialogue and Inquiry Certificate Program (DICP) at UCSF empowers faculty, staff, learners, and healthcare professionals to lead with empathy, cultural humility, and critical consciousness. Rooted in UCSF’s ongoing commitment to our Principles of Community, DICP builds practical skills through facilitated dialogue, reflective inquiry, and relational leadership. This program is designed for those seeking to create better environments for all, be it in the classroom, clinic, research team, office, community or beyond. Participants explore how to engage across difference, respond to bias, and foster more effective communication—transforming everyday interactions into opportunities for deeper connection and systemic change for the better.
The Dialogue and Inquiry Certificate Program is open to current UCSF students, staff, and faculty.
Join the DICP Interest List to receive information regarding the next available application opportunity.
Program Overview
The Dialogue and Inquiry Certificate Program is open to all current UCSF students, staff, and faculty. To enrich the personal experiences and interpersonal interactions of participants, there will be a registration cap based on the room size used.
UCSF welcomes all participants to our events. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event because of a disability, you will have the opportunity to request it if selected to participate.
Program Requirements:
- Attend all 10 sessions (make-ups are possible for 1-2 missed sessions only)
- Approved release time by supervisor
Program Format and Length:
- 10 three-hour in-person sessions
- A unique capstone project aimed to formalize knowledge and apply skills
- Attendance is mandatory and participants who are unable to attend the required sessions may be dropped from the cohort
- A certificate will be awarded upon completion of the program during a graduation ceremony and officially recorded on your UC Learning Center transcript
Cost: Free
Program Goals
The purpose of this program is to develop a more capable workforce by enhancing staff competencies and capacity and to leverage these toward achieving and sustaining campus-wide excellence.
Facilitators
Topics at a Glance
| Session | Themes |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Implementing an Anti-Discrimination Strategic Plan: An Introduction |
| Week 2 | Practicing Cultural Humility & Intercultural Communication |
| Week 3 | Recognizing & Responding to Bias |
| Week 4 | Anti-Discrimination Deep Dive |
| Week 5 | UndocuScholar Ally Training |
| Week 6 | Cultivating Climates of Care for LGBTQ+ Communities |
| Week 7 | Disability & Accessibility |
| Week 8 | Religion & Belonging in the Workplace |
| Week 9 | Navigating Support: Campus Resource Panel |
| Week 10 | Reflection and Celebration |
Alumni and Beyond
The Dialogue & Inquiry Certificate Program Alumni Group (DICP Alumni Group) allows graduates to continue their involvement with a community of graduates committed to supporting diversity efforts at UCSF. We offer regular group meetings that provide community-building opportunities for staff involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in their units and teams.
Is there an application?
Yes, starting with the Spring 2026 cohort all interested parties should complete the DICP Application. We encourage interested applicants to check back on this web page and/or to join the DICP Interest List or our newsletters for information on the next application cycle.
How do I get information about the application cycle?
Please join our DICP Interest List to get relevant updates.
I applied to the program on a previous occasion and was not selected. Should I apply again?
Yes. The application process has been revised; and we encourage any interested applicants to check back on this web page and/or to join the DICP Interest List for information on the next application cycle.
I’d like to hear from past participants about their experience in the program. How do I get their input?
Please reach out to the alumni group at [email protected] for questions about the program.
What if I have more questions?
If you have any questions not answered here, please contact Eric Sanchez, Director, Community Engagement and Dialogue ([email protected]).