UNF and University of Arizona students explore Gen Z perspectives on politics

University of North Florida Hicks Honors College undergraduates welcomed students from the University of Arizona to campus for an election night event as part of the Honors Colloquium and UA Discourse Series on election night. About 300 students gathered in the Robinson Theater for the intercollegiate discourse event to listen to their peers' perspectives on how growing up in this electoral climate shaped their political views.

The student panel was hosted by UNF Department of English instructor Will Pewitt and Honors director Dr. Leslie Kaplan, moderated by College of Education professor Dr. John White and directed by UA professor Ted McLoof, who runs the UA Discourse Series.

The UA Discourse Seriesaims to alter how students think about political conversations by making them less about "debate" and more about sharing differing perspectives. The series recently held events in Washington D.C. and Duke University.

With an election that holds so much consequence for the future of politics, Pewitt jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with his UA colleague to provide a space for students to share their views, concerns and priorities to discuss what matters most to America's youngest voters.

"Student perspectives are frequently more informed, engaged and independent than they are typically understood by older generations," said Pewitt. "This event provides an opportunity to showcase the broad spectrum of backgrounds and diversity of opinion that are vibrant among UNF's student body."

Among the student panel speakers were UNF honors sophomore Eliza Mazel, coastal biology major, and visiting UA senior Ananya Singhvi, marketing and economics major.

"There's no growth without difficult conversations, and we can't learn anything if we don't have our views challenged or talk to people who come from different backgrounds," said Mazel. "Since we're the ones who are going to determine the future of our country and the world, it's important that we grow and learn from each other."

"These panels and discussions are about trying to find the truth and to find what our common grounds are," said Singhvi. "As an international student, getting my views challenged has been one of the best ways for me to get exposed to more ideas and opening my mind. I want to help my generation find itself through more conversations like these."

The panel also consisted of UNF sophomores Ali Ximines, child psychology, David Rodebaugh, international business, and Valentina Bonilla, physics.