Event
May 28, 2026
Chancellor Gabel & Embracing Disagreement
What happens when a college chooses conversation over cancellation?
When Joan Gabel became Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh in 2023, she stepped onto a campus dealing with controversy over inviting conservative speakers to discuss transgender issues. These debates exposed a real tension between free speech and LGBTQ+ student safety.
It forced both Pitt and Gabel to confront big questions: what do we stand for, and what kind of leader do I need to be?
In response, she championed a campus-wide effort to bring students together to tackle complex topics through dialogue, not debate, and use reliable information to do so.
And it’s working.
Pitt measured their progress with help from C&S’s College Presidents for Civic Preparedness Campuswide Immersion program. A 2025 University survey found 7 in 10 students say they felt confident using evidence to support their arguments, and two-thirds report truly listening to people with both shared and opposing beliefs.
But contrary to popular belief, this isn’t about being persuaded or even coming to a consensus. Sometimes, it’s just figuring out how to move forward together.
“Building bridges doesn’t mean you change your mind. It means you appreciate that people can be on both sides of the bridge, and that’s okay—in fact, it’s often a good thing.”
By 2029, C&S will bring together 20 million young people to step up as civic problem-solvers. Campus leaders like Chancellor Gabel are key to making that possible.
Join us!