{"id":34891,"date":"2025-09-25T15:04:28","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T19:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=34891"},"modified":"2025-10-03T12:37:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T16:37:08","slug":"empower-stem-event-features-ucf-speech-debate-team-for-live-debate-on-civic-participation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/empower-stem-event-features-ucf-speech-debate-team-for-live-debate-on-civic-participation\/","title":{"rendered":"Empower STEM Event Features UCF Speech &amp; Debate Team for Live Debate on Civic Participation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Four UCF undergraduate students from the Speech and Debate team took center stage at the College of Sciences\u2019 Empower STEM event for a lively and thought-provoking debate on civic participation.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By Ana Hidalgo | September 25, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/1-1024x683.png\" alt=\"Six people stand in a row indoors, five holding gift bags. A screen behind them displays &quot;Live Debate: UCF Speech and Debate Team&quot; and the debate topic.\" class=\"wp-image-34892\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/1-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/1-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/1-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/1-299x199.png 299w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/1.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The UCF Speech and Debate Team, housed in the Nicholson School of Communication and Media (NSCM), began as a debate program in the 1970s under head coach Jeff Butler. It was re-established with a competitive speech team in 2014, and the two programs merged in 2020. The team now competes nationally and is led by NSCM Associate Instructor and Director of Forensics Jonathan Conway. From left: Conway; undergraduate students Justin Salahudin, Logan Gerhard, Riley O\u2019Keefe and Charmi Gopu; and College of Sciences Interim Dean Joshua Colwell.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>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\u2019s (NSCM) Speech and Debate team for a dynamic and timely live debate on the topic: <em>U.S. citizens have a duty to engage in civic participation<\/em>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The event opened with remarks by COS\u2019 Interim Dean Josh Colwell, who introduced the mission of the event series and the significance of the date.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/1-1.png\" alt=\"A man in a blue suit and yellow tie speaks into a microphone while holding papers at a podium, with abstract art in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-34893\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The College of Sciences\u2019 Interim Dean, Joshua Colwell, opened the event with remarks on the mission of the Empower STEM series, highlighting its support for innovative research led by faculty and students across the university.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cEmpower STEM supports science by all and for all,\u201d Colwell says. \u201cToday, it\u2019s more than honoring a historic document; it\u2019s about engaging with the principles that make democracy work, and the Speech and Debate team is an embodiment of those principles in action.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UCF\u2019s 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\u2019s largest and longest-standing comprehensive national championship.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following Colwell\u2019s remarks, Jonathan Conway, NSCM Associate Instructor and Director of Forensics and head of UCF\u2019s Speech and Debate team, emphasized that the program\u2019s goals extend beyond competition.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe program covers multiple formats of competitive speaking, giving students a wide range of communication, critical thinking and advocacy skills to be persuasive communicators,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s not just about winning tournaments \u2014 it&#8217;s about building student advocates who can use their voices effectively in careers, civic life and leadership.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/3-1024x683.png\" alt=\"A woman speaks at a podium while two people sit at a table taking notes. A projected debate topic is partially visible on the wall behind them.\" class=\"wp-image-34894\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/3-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/3-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/3-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/3-299x199.png 299w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/3.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Computer Science sophomore Charmi Gopu presents her case in favor of citizen participation to the audience and opposing team.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Computer Science student Charmi Gopu and Political Science student Riley O\u2019Keefe 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gopu, who won the 2025 Novice National Championship for the International Public Debate Association, credits her teammate O\u2019Keefe with sparking her interest in debate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy teammate Riley first sparked my interest in debate, and after seeing my first debate, which was nothing short of electrifying, I couldn\u2019t help but envelop myself in it,\u201d she says.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gopu added that debate challenges her to think critically about issues.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhether I agree with the side I\u2019m advocating for or not, debate forces me to put myself in other people&#8217;s shoes, question my core values and beliefs and find evidence to support my arguments,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/2-1024x683.png\" alt=\"A young man speaks at a podium while two women sit at a table, one listening and the other writing notes, during an academic event.\" class=\"wp-image-34895\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/2-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/2-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/2-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/2-299x199.png 299w, https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/2.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Computer Science senior and team captain Logan Gerhard presents a case opposing U.S. citizens\u2019 duty to engage in civic activities. Gerhard won the 2025 State Championship in NPDA Debate.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>O\u2019Keefe, who placed ninth at the 2025 BP Team State Tournament, began debating in high school with encouragement from her aunt, an attorney.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDuring 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,\u201d she says. \u201cNo matter what side you\u2019re on, you leave with more knowledge about both sides.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the debate, audience members\u2014which included faculty, staff, college leaders, along with community members\u2014joined in a lively discussion, asking students about their arguments, preparation process and the value of debate in shaping public perception of complex topics.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy partner Charmi and I spent a long time researching this topic,\u201d O\u2019Keefe says. \u201cWe were both passionate about it and the preparation process gave us a chance to amplify our knowledge about different forms of civic engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/29\/2025\/09\/2-1.png\" alt=\"A woman speaking into a microphone.\" class=\"wp-image-34896\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Audience members, including COS Dean\u2019s Advisory Board member J.J. Mackle, joined the discussion during the Q&amp;A segment, asking students about the research they conducted on the debate topic and how they prepared their arguments.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe organize \u2018The Constellation,\u2019 a high school speech and debate tournament that provides outreach to younger students and fosters talent in the region,\u201d Conway says. \u201cWe also partner with the Florida Debate Initiative and the Florida College Debate Initiative to expand resources, networking and competition opportunities for our students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Gopu, joining the team has offered a sense of community and purpose.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhether you\u2019re 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,\u201d she says. \u201cYou gain more knowledge about different topics, and I encourage everyone to participate.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Looking ahead, the team is developing Speaking Knights, a student organization that will serve as an extension of the program.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis 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\u2019s campus presence,\u201d Conway says.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>To support the work of the Speech and Debate team, you can give to their <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/foundation.ucf.edu\/givetocos?Id=2c340fc2-3549-46ef-afff-39b0c466b219\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>fund through the UCF Foundation<\/em><\/a><em>. To learn more about the Empower STEM series, please contact the COS Marketing team at <\/em><a href=\"mailto:cosmarketing@ucf.edu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>cosmarketing@ucf.edu<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Four UCF undergraduate students from the Speech and Debate team took center stage at the College of Sciences\u2019 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":260,"featured_media":34892,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[38,6522,6,37,28,30],"tags":[736,6523,6110,5308],"class_list":["post-34891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breaking-news","category-empower-stem","category-events","category-communication","category-top-news","category-undergraduate-student-news","tag-college-of-sciences","tag-empower-stem","tag-nicholson-school-of-communication-and-media","tag-ucf-speech-and-debate"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Empower STEM Event Features UCF Speech &amp; Debate Team for Live Debate on Civic Participation - College of Sciences News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sciences.ucf.edu\/news\/empower-stem-event-features-ucf-speech-debate-team-for-live-debate-on-civic-participation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Empower STEM Event Features UCF Speech &amp; Debate Team for Live Debate on Civic Participation - College of Sciences News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Four UCF undergraduate students from the Speech and Debate team took center stage at the College of Sciences\u2019 Empower STEM event for a lively and thought-provoking debate on civic participation. 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