On Friday and Saturday, the Penn State College Republicans hosted its third annual Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference in the HUB-Robeson Center.
Throughout the conference, the Penn State College Republicans offered a variety of speakers, including elected officials, Turning Point USA members, students and other political activists, part of efforts to introduce conservative principles throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Hunter Steach, the Penn State College Republicans’ vice president, said the goals of the conference were civic engagement and creating a safe place for those with conservative and liberal ideologies alike to attend.
Steach said he wanted to allow attendees to meet with speakers, such as Glenn Thompson and Stacy Garrity, to gain insight into conservative perspectives.
Mia Humphreys, the Penn State College Republicans’ director of special events, said the event offered community building for conservatives to portray their ideas, goals and values.
In Glenn Thompson’s speech, he said principles and values define each person. He offered insight into his values as a Congressman by offering advice to potential future political leaders.
“Always try to listen twice as much as you speak — that’s a true leader,” Thompson said.
Brooke Phillips, a former member of the Penn State College Republicans, said that by listening and working together, real understanding and progress can happen.
“Conservative principles support open discussion and civil discourse,” Phillips said. “We shouldn’t avoid these difficult conversations.”
Throughout the conference, the Penn State College Republicans and their speakers presented conservative perspectives on various political topics. Ideas on how to combat issues — such as defending the republic by exploring ways to counter immigration flaws and a debate over U.S. policy regarding Venezuela to gain attendees’ perspectives — were also presented.
Attendees listen to a speaker during the Penn State College Republicans third annual Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference on Friday, Jan. 17, 2026 in University Park, Pa.
Courtesy of Hunter Steach
“Each side should be given the opportunity to express their views calmly, without attacking, while seeking common ground and shared goals,” Phillips said.”
Phillips, a Penn State alumna, said she values learning from other people and believes disagreement doesn’t have to prevent cooperation.
“I’ve had a lot of people in my time here, from [a range] of political ideologies that feel afraid to share their beliefs,” Steach, a fourth-year studying political science, said. “This conference enables people who have a dream in politics or not politics, and something in this realm, [to] chase them.”
Humphreys said the topics were intended to rally people together and enhance perspectives by standing up for beliefs and allowing attendees to speak their truth.
“We’re trying to continue free speech and free narrative on college campuses today,” Humphreys, a second-year studying political science, said.
Penn State ranked 228 in a College Pulse Free Speech ranking in 2024 and again in 2025. The ranking detailed students’ comfort expressing their ideas, as well as their tolerance for liberal and conservative speakers.
Despite the ranking, Penn State is considered to have a balanced ratio among conservative and liberal students.
“The climate here is great,” Humphreys said. “We have a great relationship with the College Dems. We work together. We do our 9/11 event together. Overall, Penn State does a better job of allowing all of us to have a voice compared to other college stories we may have heard of.”
Steach said he always felt safe and respected at Penn State regarding his political beliefs and affiliation.
The growth of the College Republicans has gone from roughly three chapters to twenty-plus chapters connecting over the past three years, according to Steach.
“A lot of college students sometimes aren’t politically engaged at all,” Humphreys said. “They don’t go to the polls and vote, and that’s ultimately what’s most important.”
She said the conference was meant to spread the word regarding conservative thought and get attendees involved to become more politically active.
Student passes sit on a table during the Penn State College Republicans third annual Pennsylvania Collegiate Leadership Conference on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, in University Park, Pa.
Courtesy of Hunter Steach
Steach said he wanted people to feel more confident and comfortable sharing their beliefs after attending the conference.
“We are a diverse community here at Penn State,” Phillips said. “Exposure to differing perspectives allows students to form their own opinions and develop skills to engage respectfully.”
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