Empower STEM Event Features UCF Speech & Debate Team for Live Debate on Civic Participation

Four UCF undergraduate students from the Speech and Debate team took center stage at the College of Sciences’ Empower STEM event for a lively and thought-provoking debate on civic participation.

By Ana Hidalgo | September 25, 2025

On Constitution Day, Sep. 17, marking the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, the College of Sciences (COS) hosted an Empower STEM event, featuring the Nicholson School of Communication and Media’s (NSCM) Speech and Debate team for a dynamic and timely live debate on the topic: U.S. citizens have a duty to engage in civic participation. 

Empower STEM is a COS event series that champions student- and faculty-led research, innovative projects and success stories from across the college, providing opportunities to connect the work of the college with the larger community. 

The event opened with remarks by COS’ Interim Dean Josh Colwell, who introduced the mission of the event series and the significance of the date.

“Empower STEM supports science by all and for all,” Colwell says. “Today, it’s more than honoring a historic document; it’s about engaging with the principles that make democracy work, and the Speech and Debate team is an embodiment of those principles in action.” 

UCF’s Speech and Debate team, a membership-free program, has ranked among the top programs in the nation. In 2024, it placed 10th at the Pi Kappa Delta Biennial tournament, the country’s largest and longest-standing comprehensive national championship. 

Following Colwell’s remarks, Jonathan Conway, NSCM Associate Instructor and Director of Forensics and head of UCF’s Speech and Debate team, emphasized that the program’s goals extend beyond competition. 

“The program covers multiple formats of competitive speaking, giving students a wide range of communication, critical thinking and advocacy skills to be persuasive communicators,” he says. “It’s not just about winning tournaments — it’s about building student advocates who can use their voices effectively in careers, civic life and leadership.” 

With about 20 members, the team competes in intercollegiate forensic tournaments on a variety of topics. For this debate, however, four students split into teams of two, each assigned to argue for or against the resolution.

Computer Science student Charmi Gopu and Political Science student Riley O’Keefe represented the affirmative side, arguing in favor of citizen civic participation. On the opposition were Computer Science student Logan Gerhard and Political Science student Justin Salahudin. 

Gopu, who won the 2025 Novice National Championship for the International Public Debate Association, credits her teammate O’Keefe with sparking her interest in debate. 

“My teammate Riley first sparked my interest in debate, and after seeing my first debate, which was nothing short of electrifying, I couldn’t help but envelop myself in it,” she says. 

Gopu added that debate challenges her to think critically about issues. 

“Whether I agree with the side I’m advocating for or not, debate forces me to put myself in other people’s shoes, question my core values and beliefs and find evidence to support my arguments,” she says.

O’Keefe, who placed ninth at the 2025 BP Team State Tournament, began debating in high school with encouragement from her aunt, an attorney.  

“During a debate, I love that many points of view, opinions and sources are brought up because it forces you to think critically about your position,” she says. “No matter what side you’re on, you leave with more knowledge about both sides.” 

After the debate, audience members—which included faculty, staff, college leaders, along with community members—joined in a lively discussion, asking students about their arguments, preparation process and the value of debate in shaping public perception of complex topics. 

“My partner Charmi and I spent a long time researching this topic,” O’Keefe says. “We were both passionate about it and the preparation process gave us a chance to amplify our knowledge about different forms of civic engagement.”

While members gain valuable skills through research, preparation and debate, the program has also made its mark through community engagement and partnerships that foster talent and expand opportunities for involvement.

“We organize ‘The Constellation,’ a high school speech and debate tournament that provides outreach to younger students and fosters talent in the region,” Conway says. “We also partner with the Florida Debate Initiative and the Florida College Debate Initiative to expand resources, networking and competition opportunities for our students.”

For Gopu, joining the team has offered a sense of community and purpose. 

“Whether you’re big on advocacy or just want to grow personally and professionally, I think getting involved will make you feel like you can change the world,” she says. “You gain more knowledge about different topics, and I encourage everyone to participate.” 

Looking ahead, the team is developing Speaking Knights, a student organization that will serve as an extension of the program.  

“This organization will give more students the chance to practice debate and public speaking, gaining skills they can use in real-world contexts while expanding the team’s campus presence,” Conway says. 

The event closed with remarks from the College of Sciences Director of Advancement Chelsea Piner, who underscored the importance of providing financial support to the team, helping students build the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to thrive both in competition and in their future careers. 

To support the work of the Speech and Debate team, you can give to their fund through the UCF Foundation. To learn more about the Empower STEM series, please contact the COS Marketing team at cosmarketing@ucf.edu.