Kristen Shahverdian, Director of Higher Education and Free Speech at PEN America, led an informative conversation about free speech on college campuses at an Endowed Lecture on Oct. 20. Shahverdian was in conversation with Bridgewater College Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Leona Sevick and Dr. Leslie Frere, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students. The event was sponsored by the W. Harold Row Symposium on Reconciliation.
In their conversation, the trio discussed how free speech and academic freedom are key to the learning that takes place on a college campus, both inside and outside the classroom. PEN America, a nonprofit literary organization, advocates for the free expression of ideas and regularly hosts events on college campuses.
“[College campuses] are the place where young people learn how to be in a democracy,” Shahverdian said. “Freedom of expression is inherent to higher education.”
They also answered questions about the laws around free speech and when something might cross the line to become harassment. Much of the conversation was directed at the BC students in attendance.
“Our goal is for you to challenge ideas. We want you to engage with each other even when it is uncomfortable,” Frere said. “These are important conversations to have.”
Frere also encouraged students to reach out to the Office of Student Life if they have any questions about how to voice their opinions and influence change on campus.
The Endowed Lecture was preceded by a training session for student leaders on free speech and academic freedom on a college campus. More than 60 students engaged in online training modules and then participated in a 90-minute PEN America Student Leadership Workshop led by Aileen Favilla, Senior Program Manager for Higher Education and Free Expression.
Favilla had the students — who included resident assistants, peer mentors and club leaders — discuss with each other and the larger group how to respond to specific scenarios that they may encounter. Overall, she emphasized the importance in finding common ground with someone who holds differing beliefs, even if you don’t ever come to an agreement.
“You need to acknowledge the fact that people have different viewpoints and that’s what makes us a community,” one student said during the discussion.
The training also included conversation about how to respond when people say things that others may find offensive or upsetting. Favilla said PEN America advocates that censorship is not the answer.
“Creating a welcoming space shouldn’t mean limiting what people have to say,” one student said during the conversation that followed.
“If they have the right to express themselves, then so do you,” concluded another.
After the training, several participants said they felt more confident in navigating conversations with people who hold different viewpoints and in understanding how free speech is protected in various settings.
The next Endowed Lecture will be a talk by author Dr. Clint Smith on Wednesday, Jan. 20: https://www.bridgewater.edu/event/endowed-lecture-dr-clint-smith-author/.
– Heather Cole
Published: October 29, 2026
