Pitt student leaders gathered on Feb. 3 for the Panther Leadership Summit to discuss the significance of the year’s “Discourse and Dialogue” theme in the broader context of leadership on campus.

Following a series of ‘controversial’ Turning Point USA events in the spring of 2023, the issues of free and protected speech have become a hot topic across the University. As a response, the University of Pittsburgh is leading efforts to effectively foster conversation about difficult topics through their 2023-24 “Year Of” initiative.

After a year of protest, conversation and controversy, the University has coined the title ‘Discourse and Dialogue’ for the 2023-24 academic year to reflect their mission as a public university to “uphold the principles of protected speech and expression.” A team of students and faculty will be developed to cultivate the program as Pitt prepares to initiate its 10th themed academic year.