In my role at the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies as the Common Ground Initiative Program Manager, my goal is to offer West Michigan’s premier forum for the promotion of intellectual diversity, civic engagement, and principled discourse on the issues facing our region, nation, and world. We bring together community members, university faculty, students, and national experts on a range of contemporary issues to engage in real discussions about real problems; equipping everyone with the knowledge and skills they need to move from talk to action.