Common Experience 2023-2024

"Listening to Grow. Growing to Belong. Belonging to Empower Each Other"

The 2023-2024 Common Experience theme is “Listening to Grow. Growing to Belong. Belonging to Empower Each Other” which is supported by our Common Read, "You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why it Matters" by Kate Murphy.

About the 2023-2024 Common Read

Kate Murphy explains why, in a world of instantaneous communication, nobody is listening to one another—and even worse, no one really knows how. She explores this through the lens of neuroscience, psychology, civil discourse, and sociology with real-life examples of listening at work (or lack thereof). Murphy highlights that listening is essential in growing, learning, trusting, and helping one another. With this text, and our theme for the year, “Listening to Grow. Growing to Belong. Belonging to Empower Each Other.” We hope that the campus community will think critically about how they interact with each other and how well they listen to themselves. How will you work toward becoming an active listener to create community and empower yourself and others?

About the Authors

Kate Murphy is a Houston, Texas–based journalist who has written for the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, Agence France-Presse, and Texas Monthly. Her eclectic and widely shared pieces have explored an extraordinary range of topics including health, technology, science, design, art, aviation, business, finance, fashion, dining, travel, and real estate. Kate is known for her fresh and accessible way of explaining complex subjects, particularly the science behind human interactions, helping readers understand why people behave the way they do. She also holds a commercial pilot’s license, which she puts to good use when called upon to report from remote locations.

2023-2024 Common Experience Committee

Jess Reynolds

Director, First-Year Experience

Dr. Ripsime Bledsoe

Faculty/Coordinator, First-Year Experience

Elissa Gallegos

Peer Leader, First-Year Experience

Bryant Moore

First-Year Experience Librarian

Dr. Tamara Hinojosa

Associate Professor of Counseling, Department of Counseling, Health, & Kinesiology

Heather Olague

Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Cisneros Institute of Emerging Leaders, Student Success and Engagement

Myrna A. Garza

Coordinator, First-Year Experience

Dr. Reba Sims

Director of Student Housing, Student Success and Engagement

Monica Martinez

Coordinator, Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders

Damiana Hernandez

Peer Leader, First-Year Experience

Mariah Mabanag

Peer Leader, First-Year Experience

Aaron Guerrero

Civic Engagement Coordinator, Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement