ISSUED: 16 November 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University’s vice president for student affairs participated in an Aspen Institute Youth & Engagement Programs division meeting in Washington, D.C., on November 7 and 8 that focused on encouraging civil discourse in the internet age. Dr. Tom Segar served as one of eight small group facilitators for three discussions focused on ways to accelerate young people’s abilities to engage effectively in civil discourse.
“As educators we must continue to create opportunities for civil discourse and dialogue, particularly among college students,” Segar said. “This Aspen Institute event promises to create solutions and specific initiatives that will have a far-reaching influence, and I plan to share this experience at Shepherd as well.”
Segar was among a diverse group of experts from a variety of fields such as technology, education, and nonprofits who discussed how technology is shaping the way young people learn how to have civil conversations and negotiate differences. Participants came up with possible solutions and the Aspen Institute hopes to pilot specific initiatives to achieve the goal of promoting civil discourse.
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