Three students —
Claire Huntley, John Watson and Ryan Wawrzyniak — will
serve as panelists and lead discussion about the issues that are
important to them. Warsen said his class studied a
list of social issues important to Gen Z
and will use that as a foundation for dialogue. Small
group conversations at the event will be facilitated by a Gen Z
student and a non-Gen Z person.
Warsen, who is also
graduate program director and faculty for the
Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership program,
said he hopes participants take away the tools to have
civil discussions about political, social issues and other tough
topics using the tenets of civil discourse.
"We will discover why these issues are important
to students by asking open-ended questions and developing deeper
listening skills," he said. "It's a meaningful exchange
when you learn how people arrive at these issues."
Lisa Perhamus, director of the Padnos/Sarosik Center
for Civil Discourse and professor of interdisciplinary studies, said
the intergenerational dialogue planned for the November 21 symposium
showcases the center's mission.
"The annual symposium is one way the center lives
out its mission as it gathers students, staff, faculty and community
members for conversations about meaningful social issues,"
Perhamus said. "The center is committed, especially during this
post-election season, to bridging divides and finding healing paths
forward through conversation."
