Civil Discourse Symposium encourages Texas A&M students to think, engage and lead

The student-centric, all-day event featured two U.S. Congressmen, Michael McCaul (R-TX 10) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX 28), and The Honorable Mike Pence, 48th Vice President of the United States, and encouraged attendees to engage in constructive conversations across differing viewpoints.

“Texas A&M is embracing opportunities to learn and move forward together through respectful dialogue,” said Tommy Williams ’78, Interim President of Texas A&M. “It is essential that our students learn to engage thoughtfully and constructively with different points of view.”

Finding common ground

The morning began with a student-moderated discussion in Rudder Theatre featuring McCaul and Cuellar. Despite representing different political parties, they have worked together for Texans in the U.S. House of Representatives for over two decades.

McCaul and Cuellar have collaborated on legislation spanning healthcare, education, homeland security, trade and more. Both stated that many of those efforts would not have succeeded without bipartisan cooperation.

“Our goal is to try to make a difference in this world and hand down a better country to the next generation,” said McCaul. “There’s been things Henry and I haven’t agreed on, but we’ve come to the table with respect for each other and found common ground, which has helped us be effective.”

Cuellar agreed. “Success is more than how it benefits one party or the other; it’s about what benefits America the most.”

Student moderator MyKaela Johnston ’26, a senior society, ethics and law major, asked the congressmen how they remain grounded in their core values during respectful dialogue and how students can model their behavior.

“Core values aren’t just words; they really are a way of life,” said Cuellar. “The values you hold make a difference in how people see you. You’ve got to start off with trust and respect, especially in civil discourse.”

Exploring civil discourse practices

After the congressmen’s session, student leaders selected by their peers participated in a moderated Q&A on best practices for engaging respectfully on social media and in face-to-face discussions.

The panel was followed by an interactive civic discussion hosted by The Aggie Lyceum, a nonpartisan program in the College of Arts and Sciences focused on civil discourse, media literacy and civic engagement. Students answered difficult questions on how to foster more respectful dialogue in the media, reform government and politics to encourage compromise, and revive the nation’s ability to work together on urgent challenges.

Francie Dechard ’27, a junior business major, served as the lead facilitator for the civic discussion, guiding her peers and encouraging reflection on the themes explored throughout the symposium.

“It was rewarding to serve as a facilitator and hear the perspectives of faculty and students on national issues,” Dechard said. “I was reminded that while we all come from different backgrounds and hold varying perspectives, we are more alike than we are different.”

In addition to her responsibilities at the civic discussion, Dechard attended both the congressmen’s and former vice president’s panels and said she left with a sense of hope and is motivated to grow her discourse skills.

“Engaging in civil dialogue is a valuable skill and tool that I need to utilize more,” she said. “Moving forward, I hope this inspires me to be more courageous and start these difficult conversations, leading always with the intention not to win, but to understand and expand my views.”

A discussion with Vice President Pence

Over 2,000 attendees joined the symposium’s afternoon keynote, a student-moderated session with Pence. Texas A&M student Caroline McCall ’26, a senior international relations and affairs major, led a Q&A with Pence, held in Rudder Auditorium.

Pence previously served as a member of the House of Representatives, Governor of Indiana and 48th Vice President of the United States from 2017 to 2021 under President Donald Trump. Pence spoke about his 35 years in politics, drawing inspiration from former President George H.W. Bush, his time in the White House and the state of today’s political landscape.

McCall: You spoke at length in your book about how the legacy of Bush and his wife, Barbara, resonates deeply with you and how, in a lot of ways, you modeled your vice presidency after his. What aspects of his leadership should today’s generation try to emulate as they work to rebuild civil discourse and set a better tone for addressing our nation’s challenges for the future?

Pence: He took an interest in people around him, which to me is an extraordinarily important quality of leadership, and taking an interest in people — whether you agree or disagree — is the beginning of civil dialogue. I also admired his sense of service and optimism. For me, George Herbert Walker Bush has always been emblematic of a leader that demonstrated decency and kindness, answered the call of service and had boundless optimism in the American people and the American future.

McCall: In 1991, you pledged not to run any negative campaign ads against your opponents. It’s been 35 years since you issued that statement, and we’ve seen political tone and rhetoric continue to evolve, but not necessarily in a positive way. What advice would you offer our audience on how to get back to a place where negative campaigning is uncommon?

Pence: I wrote that essay after my second congressional campaign. I had just lost an election, and so, I wrote those words not just to the people of Indiana but as a promise that if I ever had the opportunity to serve, I wanted to serve in such a way that reflected our values and carried those principles forward.

Public service is an honorable and noble call, and I want to encourage everyone within the sound of my voice to answer that call for the sake of Texas and for America. We need you. We need men and women who will enter the public square with deep convictions and commitment to integrity. We need them to be prepared to respect the rights and views of others and lead by example for the future of this country.

McCall: Why has it become so difficult for Americans to engage with productive civil discourse today?

Pence: Our politics are more divided than at any time in my lifetime, but I’m not convinced the American people are as divided as our politics. I think the key for us going forward is that we all start talking to each other. More importantly, we start listening to each other. 

There are people who care deeply about their faith, their families and clearly love their country. Their solutions were different from mine, but when you start with the first few things, you can have a conversation.

McCall: What advice would you give to students entering public service or looking to serve within their communities?

Pence: Do it and don’t wait to be asked. I always thought the myth was you go out, build a career and then someday someone would call you on the phone and ask you to run for office. Sometimes that happens, but more often than not, it’s the people that show up every day and roll up their sleeves and take a servant’s attitude. Be encouraged, be an example of civility and decency and respect. Be an example of integrity and principle, and I guarantee you, your life will be better for it, and you’ll change America for the better.

This event is one of multiple civil discourse events held across The Texas A&M University System to prepare students to engage in thoughtful, informed and respectful dialogue.

Learn more about the Citizens For Good program, which promotes civic engagement and civil discourse across Texas A&M.