BGSU partnering with Leadership Ohio to host civic engagement and dialogue event on Oct. 7

Participants are invited to explore diverse perspectives, learn strategies for navigating disagreement and engage in meaningful conversations during one of two sessions

Bowling Green State University is partnering with Leadership Ohio to host an interactive event on Oct. 7, bringing together leaders from business, government, education and healthcare to foster civil discourse and community engagement.

Hosted by the C. Raymond Marvin Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement and the Democracy and Public Policy Network, the event titled, "Modeling Constructive Dialogue on Hard Local Choices," invites participants to explore diverse perspectives, learn strategies for navigating disagreement and engage in meaningful conversations about timely civic and political issues. Keynote speakers Christina Muryn, mayor of Findlay, Ohio, and Sheretta Smith, mayor of Lima, Ohio, will share their insights and lead discussions on key civic topics.

“This is an amazing opportunity for our students to hear from local leaders and engage in meaningful conversation,” said Robert Alexander, Ph.D., founding director of the Democracy and Public Policy Network. “Rather than telling students what to think, we are actively working to help them engage with one another civilly and teaching them the skills required to do so.”

Founded in 2024, the Democracy and Public Policy Network creates opportunities for students to promote citizenship, interview public officials on the Democracy Exchange podcast and participate in statewide and national polling. This summer, with support from the U.S. Department of Education, the Network also launched the CIVICs 250 Scholars Program, training 27 Ohio K-12 educators in history, government and economics. This fall, BGSU introduced a new course on civic leadership, connecting students with prominent leaders like former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery, federal judge John Adams and former Ohio Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor.

Leadership Ohio was founded in 1992 as a statewide leadership development program.

“This event provides an excellent opportunity for our students to practice their civil dialogue skills in a time where positive dialogue has become increasingly rare,” Alexander said. “Having the opportunity to hear from and interact with mayors Muryn and Smith allows students to directly connect class concepts to the real world.” 

Learn more about the Marvin Center and the Democracy and Public Policy Network.