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Educators carve out space for students in and out of the classroom to develop a sense of identity and belonging through opportunities for learning. However, they are slow to do this for themselves. Scholars face a daily battle to become better writers, better mentors, and better people. The "About Campus" Writers Retreat, a boot camp for writing strategies, is a safe space carved out for writers to recover and rebuild through the support of peer fellowship. To illuminate the power of the collective and the "About Campus" Writers Retreat, the authors offer four significant lessons on writing and life: (1) Create Community Where You Are; (2) Be Brave. Be Yourself; (3) Strength in Vulnerability; and (4) Write to Make a Difference. [Contributing authors: Dr. Catherina Carlson, Dr. Jerlena Griffin Desta, Ms. Bridget DuBrey, Rev. J. Cody Nielsen, Ms. Margaret Sebastian, Dr. Carmen Taylor, and Dr. Jennifer Wells.]

This article explores how the escalating tensions in the nation are being mirrored on college campuses and how these tensions can profoundly affect the student experience. The current deep political and social divides require educators to respond in ways that are meaningful and necessitate enhanced skills and the ability to engage empathy and compassion as necessary qualities for teaching reflective practices, perspective taking, and civil discourse. The author explains how the national climate is affecting campus climate and the need for educators to prepare to handle its effects. The author discusses recommendations to activate empathy and compassion in and out of the classroom in order to provide students an opportunity to be more empathic and compassionate members of their campus community and allow faculty and staff the opportunity to be effective facilitators of grace. The goal is to offer space for challenging conversations in the spirit of goodwill and a knowing that all individuals are all in the process of learning, thus, choosing to build community, in the midst of turbulent times.

At a young age, men begin examining and collecting societal messages about masculinity. As as a result of interpreting these messages, young men modify their behavior based on these societal expectations. This is what the author refers to as "regulating masculinity." The regulation of young men's masculinity takes many forms and can crop up in a variety of settings, both on and off campus. In many ways, college men have been taught to avoid vulnerability at all costs. Today it is easy to see college men misbehaving, inflicting pain, and causing trauma in the news and on social media. Those who work in higher education have the opportunity and responsibility to help defuse the grenade of toxic masculinity. Educators have a unique chance to teach and model ways for college men to understand that vulnerability is strong and courageous, and it only enhances multidimensional, diverse masculinity. In this article, the author encourages educators to make connections and encourage dialogue that will allow students to consider ways male students can create bonds and combat toxicity on campus.