The Winona State University Civic Center will host a campus-wide initiative in partnership with Braver Angels, a national organization focused on fostering respectful dialogue across political and ideological divides. The program includes student-led events, workshops, and facilitated conversations designed to encourage civil discourse and mutual understanding within the university community.
“This is about creating space for honest conversations,” said Elissa Alzate, professor of political science at Winona State. “We are committed to being a place where all voices are welcome, not just the loudest or most popular ones. We want students to feel empowered to engage with differing perspectives, not avoid them. Braver Angels will help us model what it means to be inclusive, not just in identity, but in thought.”
As part of the initiative, Winona Braver Angels Day will take place Thursday, Sept. 25, and feature two events open to the public. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., a Community Luncheon titled “Bridging the Gap: How Local Leaders Can Counteract Polarization” will be held at Minnesota State College Southeast, 1250 Homer Road. Led by a national Braver Angels facilitator, the luncheon invites local leaders to explore how polarization affects communities like Winona and how trust and connection can be rebuilt across differences.
Later that evening, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Winona State will host a public workshop in the Kryzsko Commons Solarium titled “How Do We Find Community in Our Differences?” This interactive session will bring together participants from across the political spectrum for honest conversation, fresh perspectives, and practical tools for navigating disagreement in families, neighborhoods, and civic life.
The Braver Angels initiative reflects the university’s broader goal of preparing students to lead in a diverse and complex world, where collaboration and empathy are essential. While the events are centered on student engagement, faculty, staff, and community members are encouraged to participate and support the effort to build a more connected and resilient campus culture.
For more information, contact Elissa Alzate at CivicCenter@winona.edu.
