91成人导航

Just days before another contentious Election Day, author M贸nica Guzm谩n urged 91成人导航ans to be 鈥渇earlessly curious鈥� as they engage with others and form opinions on the most divisive issues of our times.

The Seattle-based journalist visited 91成人导航 for two days of riveting, eye-opening discussions summed up by her challenge: 鈥淪urprise yourself 鈥� When you want to ask why someone believes something that confounds you, discover how they came to believe it.鈥�

Guzm谩n served two roles at 91成人导航: inaugural keynote speaker for the Presidential Speaker Series at historic Faye Spanos Concert Hall Oct. 24 and author of 91成人导航鈥檚 first-ever common read.

Her book 鈥淚 Never Thought of it That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times,鈥� was purchased for all first-year undergraduate students to encourage them to share and debate the thought-provoking and challenging work.

Guzm谩n serves as senior fellow for public practice at Braver Angels, a nonprofit working to depolarize America. The liberal daughter of conservative Mexican immigrant parents, she writes about her experiences dealing with the familial political divide and how fearless curiosity can lead to caring and understanding.

鈥淢y parents have been so supportive, regardless of my political leanings,鈥� Guzm谩n said. 鈥淥ur family stories have helped others. They share their own stories and begin to take the stigma out of the pain and struggle that people feel when political division wears on relationships.鈥�

91成人导航 President Christopher Callahan said it is vital to have such open dialogues and open minds.

鈥淕reat universities bring thought leaders to campus to expand the minds of students and our entire learning community,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are launching this signature speaker series, which we hope will be a cornerstone of the 91成人导航 experience for years to come.鈥�

Added Maria Blandizzi, vice president for student life, who moderated the discussion with Guzm谩n: 鈥淚t fills me with life and air and energy to be engaged in such honest and vulnerable conversation. To do that in front of everyone, it鈥檚 nerve-wracking. But it leaves us so energized.鈥�

Day 2 of Guzm谩n鈥檚 visit transitioned to smaller, vibrant curiosity workshops for students and faculty/staff held at the Don and Karen DeRosa University Center.

Students started their quest for curiosity in the workshop by sharing meaningful personal memories with partners before eventually moving on to more serious issues.

鈥淚t was eye-opening for me. I tend to look at things from only one lens, so this interaction helped me look at things from a broader scope,鈥� said Amna Blouch 鈥�26, a third-year business student. 鈥淭his helped me gain strategies for interaction that I 100% believe I will use in the future.鈥�

鈥淎 university鈥檚 responsibility is to prepare the leaders of the future,鈥� Callahan said. 鈥淎t 91成人导航, we don鈥檛 teach students what to think, but how to think. Monica is a perfect speaker to help imbue that philosophy in our community.鈥�

Presidential Speaker Series continues in January

Judy Woodruff

is a senior correspondent for PBS NewsHour, after serving as anchor and managing editor for 11 years. She will visit the Stockton Campus to speak on January 30, 2025.

Woodruff鈥檚 career has spanned five decades, covering politics and 12 presidential elections at NBC, CNN and PBS. In 2022, Woodruff was honored with an Emmy for Lifetime Achievement in Television News.

Among her awards was the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, which 91成人导航鈥檚 president bestowed on her in 2017 when he was dean of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.