As a student in public administration and sustainability, I’ve found myself at the intersection of some of the most polarizing political conversations in the country. My school is in a swing state. It’s deeply divided, politically charged, and often used as a national example of red and blue tensions. I see it every day in my role as Chief of Staff in the university’s Office of Institutional Relations, where I work closely with peers who are deeply committed to their political identities—some as College Republicans, others as College Democrats. The environment is highly political, and the conversations can get heated fast.

Before I completed the Perspectives training, I wasn’t always sure how to navigate that tension. I’ve done a lot of ethics and leadership training over the years, but this was different. Perspectives helped me understand that it’s not about changing someone’s mind. It’s about understanding where they’re coming from and why. That’s been the most powerful shift. 

I now recognize that people I disagree with politically often hold the same values I do, like loyalty, fairness, or care. We just have different strategies for realizing them.

One metaphor that stayed with me was the elephant and the rider. It helped me notice when my emotions were taking over, and gave me tools to pause and respond more intentionally. In high-pressure political conversations, especially at the statehouse or on Hill visits, that skill has been invaluable.

In a place like my state, where conversations around diversity, equity, and inclusion are often viewed as partisan, Perspectives stood out as something different. It wasn’t “too left” or “too right.” It wasn’t pushing an agenda. It gave me a way to engage with integrity across the aisle, and I believe it could do the same for others.

That’s why I joined the advisory committee working to bring Perspectives to more students across campus. There’s never been a more important time for these skills. If we want to lower the temperature, build real understanding, and create a campus and a country that works for everyone, this is how we start.