PRESS RELEASE

Texas A&M University System Launches Statewide Effort to Help Students Lead—and Disagree—Better

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BRYAN, COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Preparing students for leadership has always been central to The Texas A&M University System’s mission. This spring, the A&M System is taking that work in a new direction — one shaped by a simple reality: too many conversations today turn into unruly arguments, and too few people take the time to understand what they actually believe.

This spring, universities across the A&M System will host a series of Civil Discourse Symposiums beginning in April. These student-focused events are designed to strengthen respectful dialogue, civic understanding and the ability to engage across differences. Participating institutions include Texas A&M University, East Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University–Texarkana, Texas A&M University–Victoria and West Texas A&M University. Additional universities are expected to join in the coming year.

Participating in the symposiums are a number of state and federal officials and ex-officials, including former Vice President Mike Pence.

Students, faculty and members of the public can learn more and register for campus events at the links below:

“This is about more than conversation,” said Chancellor Glenn Hegar. “It’s about helping students understand what they believe, listen to others and lead with integrity. At the Texas A&M System, students are our mission and preparing them for lives of leadership and service is what we’re here to do.”

“Higher education has a responsibility to prepare students not just for careers, but for citizenship,” said Chairman Robert Albritton, Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. “That means teaching them how to think, how to listen and how to engage others with respect. This effort reflects what the A&M System has always stood for—developing leaders who are grounded, thoughtful and ready to serve.”

Each symposium reflects its campus while advancing a shared A&M System priority: preparing students to navigate disagreement with respect and confidence. Programming includes student-led discussions, conversations with public leaders, faculty-led sessions on civic responsibility and opportunities for students to practice engaging constructively with differing viewpoints.

The initiative builds on the A&M System’s commitment to developing leaders of character and extends that tradition into the way students engage in public life.

“Students today are pulled in every direction,” said Sam Torn of The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. “If they don’t take the time to understand what they believe, someone else will decide for them. This effort is about helping them build that foundation — and live it out.”

Symposiums formats range from large-scale campus events to smaller, interactive discussions. Together, they represent a coordinated effort to prepare students not only for careers, but for citizenship.

“At the end of the day, leadership is aligning your actions with your values,” Hegar said. “And if we do this right — if we help students find that foundation — they’ll be ready to lead, to serve and to engage others the right way. That’s our job. That’s why we’re here.”