Student Engagement

Better Arguments Fellows lead student engagement efforts by facilitating conversations, sharing stories and helping peers practice engaging across difference.

Better Argument Leadership Fellows

The Better Arguments Leadership Fellows program invites student leaders to advance the principles of civil discourse and to bridge divides across campus. Fellows serve as storytellers and ambassadors for Better Arguments at �鶹�ƽ��, supporting new student orientation and participating in campus and community-based events throughout the academic year.

What Better Arguments Leadership Fellows Do:

Share personal stories that bring the Better Arguments principles to life
Facilitate conversations that model engaging across difference
Support new student orientation and campus-wide programming
Participate in events that extend Better Arguments into the broader community

What Senior Better Arguments Leadership Fellows Do:

Organize and lead regular meetings
Coordinate communication and engagement across the Fellows cohort
Support planning for Better Arguments Week and other programming
Help lead and facilitate the program’s annual retreat

Apply to Become a Fellow

The Better Arguments Leadership Fellows program is open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in building skills in dialogue, leadership and civic engagement. The application process includes a written application and interview.

Applications for the 2026-2027 year are now closed. Please check back in the spring for the 2027-2028 application.

Meet the Better Arguments Fellows!

Andrew Bjork '28

Better Arguments has taught me valuable conflict resolution strategies that prioritize growth rather than friction.

Bella Van Gieson '29

Better Arguments has empowered me to approach difficult conversations and, in doing so, has helped me show up as a leader in conflict by exhibiting genuine compassion and intentionality.

Benjamin Mueller '30

Better Arguments has helped me become a better leader and citizen by challenging me to think more about the context and experiences that cause individuals to make arguments and speak their minds.

Bridget Bushman '29

Better Arguments has helped me bridge disagreements with friends by leading with empathy and by teaching me the value of being a life-long learner who is always willing to question my own beliefs.

Edward Taylor '28

Better Arguments has taught me to lead with human connection when talking to someone, instead of with an objective about a subject matter.

Emily Radick '26, Lead Fellow

In both personal and professional settings, the Better Arguments framework has given me practical tools to listen more deeply, communicate more thoughtfully, and build stronger connections even in challenging conversations.

Foster Covington '27, Senior Fellow

The Better Arguments framework has helped me become a better communicator, has given me more confidence in oration and the ability to cooperatively come to agreement.

Inaya Siddiqui '30

The Better Arguments program has given me the resources to become a more effective interpersonal communicator while fostering other skills like public speaking in tandem.

Jackson Webb '28, Senior Fellow

The Better Arguments program has taught me more effective ways of communication and has given me more confidence in my ability to talk about sensitive topics with others in a professional manner.

Lauren Poteat '27

I think Better Arguments challenges people to think both critically and creatively about the way they perceive arguments and then viable solutions to those challenges.

Lebron Parsell '28

Better Arguments has helped me pursue my desired career in Government by teaching me to listen to and understand all sides of an argument by considering context, a skill essential to all aspects of work and social life.

Mehr Goel '28

Better Arguments has helped me to open my mind to other perspectives and understand more deeply others' ideas and I find myself using the Better Arguments Principles in my everyday life to keep important relationships strong and undeterred by conflicts.

Melissa Moyer '29

Better Arguments helps me understand how little I can see of the world from just my own perspective.

Nikhita Kumar '30

Better Arguments has pushed me to become more comfortable with not immediately having an answer.

Sam Humphries '28

Better Arguments has given me the ability to strengthen my communication skills as well as be able to better understand the arguments of others.

Talia Holzman '27

Better Arguments has reiterated the value of pursuing engagement across differences - no matter how wide those differences are - and the importance of building communities that contain a multitude of viewpoints.

Yasmin Kudrati-Plummer '27

Better Arguments has greatly expanded my view of contrasting and conflicting beliefs - I have become more willing and ready to engage with those who may disagree with me, and I seek to understand others more.