NOVA Faculty Offer Empathy Table–Tell Us How You Feel

On Wednesday, October 4, Drs. Cheri Spiegel and Paul Fitzgerald of the Annandale Center for Contemplative Practice, in partnership with Elizabeth Garibay of NOVA Annandale Student Life, offered an “Empathy Table” to all comers–students, faculty and staff–from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

At the empathy table, consisting of a table, three chairs and a set of GROK cards, participants were empowered and encouraged to identify the feelings that were strongest in them at the moment, and to walk through the circumstances behind each of these feelings. Rather than offering advice or “solutions” to their problems, Cheri and Paul listened with an open mind and an open heart, offered empathy and sympathy for both the joys and the challenges that were identified and provided unconditional and unqualified validation, encouragement and support for the experiences that were shared. 

Not all of which was shared was easy to hear! As we know, our students, staff and faculty all experience pain and suffering, as well as joys and accomplishments, in their daily lives! Cheri and Paul do as well! Through the Empathy Table, Cheri and Paul hope to connect with the shared humanity that unites all NOVA Nighthawks as one community. 

The Empathy Table is available twice per month, and is open and welcome to all! The next Empathy Table will be Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the Annandale Campus. 

GROK cards were purchased with funds from the NOVA Foundation via the NOVA InNOVAtion Grant, “DEI on the Inside.” 

Submitted by:
Dr. Paul Fitzgerald, AN-Biology, PFitzgerald@nvcc.edu