The Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement, in partnership with Braver Angels, Bridge USA, and the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, has launched the A Braver Campus Series at George Mason University. The series aims to promote understanding across differences within our campus community and supports the university’s commitment to creating spaces for dialogue.
By aligning with the goal of the university’s Dialogue Across Differences (DxD) initiative to foster peaceful and just societies, the A Braver Campus series offers facilitated dialogues that include structured debates and conversations, helping to build community through open and respectful exchanges. The series aims to equip participants with the skills and experiences necessary for sustained involvement in civic and community activities.
The series kicked off the fall 2025 semester on Wednesday, September 17, on George Mason’s Fairfax campus with a robust dialogue titled “How Should Our Campus Community Navigate the Risks and Benefits of Political Involvement in Mason’s Leadership and Governance?”
This event brought together students, faculty, staff, and community members to share perspectives, ask questions, and listen with curiosity and respect. The richness of voices and viewpoints underscored the importance of dialogue in building understanding and shaping a stronger, more inclusive community. A trained moderator from Braver Angels, experienced in leading respectful and solution-focused discussions across political differences, led the conversation.
Thoughtful Discussion
According to attendees, one of the event’s most impactful aspects was the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations across differences. “The event allowed people to come together to discuss their thoughts and concerns about Mason’s current place in the political world,” said Andy Brown, a senior majoring in theater. Brown serves as a leadership consultant for the Center for Leadership and Intercultural Engagement, helping to organize and run these events.
For others, this was their first opportunity to engage in a discussion about political involvement and governance in the U.S., and they expressed gratitude for being part of such an open and inclusive environment. “As an international student, I was surprised by how openly people shared their political views. What stood out most was the respect shown across differences. This encouraged me to be more open-minded in my own conversations,” said Minsoo Kim, a senior majoring in computational and data sciences and elementary education.
Participants also noted the value of being informed about the complexities of leadership at George Mason and how events like this help foster a more connected and engaged campus.
Through these discussions, participants:
- Develop skills for engaging in respectful dialogue across political differences
- Practice active listening, constructive speaking, and finding common ground
- Explore the complexities of political involvement in university governance
- Recognize the value of viewpoint diversity in addressing controversial issues
- Apply collaborative problem-solving strategies to real-world campus challenges
The next event in the series, A Braver Campus Debate, will take place on October 29th, offering another chance to engage across differences in an inclusive setting.
To learn more about upcoming programs, visit clie.gmu.edu/bravercampus.
Interested in helping shape future topics for debates and dialogues? Share your ideas at bit.ly/bravercampusideas.
