Presidential Speaker Series
Beginning this fall, University of the Pacific will welcome top thought leaders to the Stockton Campus to discuss key issues in education and society. Pacificans and members of the local community will have the opportunity to engage with and learn from some of today’s most influential thinkers and writers.
Mónica Guzmán
Mónica Guzmán is the author of “I Never Thought of it That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times,” and serves as a senior fellow for public practice at Braver Angels, a nonprofit working to depolarize America. Her book was purchased for all first-year undergraduate students to use in classroom and residence hall experiences.
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Dr. Cathy Davidson
Dr. Cathy Davidson is a leading expert on faculty-driven student success and the author of “The New Education: How to Revolutionize the University to Prepare Students for a World in Flux” and “The New College Classroom.” She will take part in a robust series of discussions and collaborations with Pacific faculty members during her time on campus.
The date previously set for Dr. Davidson's conversation is being rescheduled to Spring 2025 due to unforeseen circumstances.
Judy Woodruff
Judy Woodruff is a senior correspondent for PBS NewsHour, after serving as anchor and managing editor for 11 years. Her career has spanned five decades, covering politics and 12 presidential elections at NBC, CNN and PBS. In 2022, Judy was honored with an Emmy for Lifetime Achievement in Television News.
The date for Judy's conversation is forthcoming and will be arranged for Spring 2025.
About the Presidential Speaker Series
Throughout Pacific’s 100 years in Stockton, the university has welcomed influential speakers, politicians, musicians and other high-profile figures to campus. After his 2020 arrival at Pacific, President Christopher Callahan collaborated with the Pacific Alumni Association to create a virtual speaker series titled “Leading Voices.”
The in-person Presidential Speaker Series continues this tradition, providing an opportunity for campus dialogue about challenges and opportunities in higher education and American society more broadly. Additional speakers will be announced soon; two to three speakers will come to campus each semester.
Attendance
Featured conversations will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. in the historic Faye Spanos Concert Hall and will be open to the community.
