Student Voices at the Table

As free expression continues to be a flashpoint on college campuses across the country, University of California students are stepping into leadership roles to help shape the future of academic discourse.

The UC Davis Dynamic Discussions project is proud to spotlight the important work of UC students who are leading these efforts, and the university’s role in uplifting these systemwide conversations.

“Now more than ever, it's important for students to use their voices and be involved in the decisions that shape their education and their future,” Michelle Deutchman, executive director of the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, stated in the October 2024 SpeechMatters episode “How UC Students Shape Free Speech.”

Student Regents Lead the Way

In a recent episode of the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement’s SpeechMatters podcast, UC Student Regent Josiah Beharry and Student Regent-designate Sonya Brooks offered powerful reflections on the value and challenges of representing more than 300,000 students in governance.

Both Beharry and Brooks are first-generation students with a deep understanding of the barriers students face, and they see their service as a way to break those barriers down.

Brooks, a first-generation student and the first Black woman to serve as Student Regent-designate, described how daunting it was to enter a space where key decisions for nearly a million Californians are made—and where she didn’t always feel seen.

“This position… really made me look at myself… and I really had to start questioning a lot about, 'How can I not only be my authentic self, but be accepted?'” said the Ph.D. candidate from UCLA. “Now I walk into every meeting myself… love me or leave me, but you can't leave me alone because now I'm at the table.”

Beharry, who is also the first undocumented student to serve in the role, reflected on how identity and community shaped his path. He noted that representing UC Merced, which had never had a student regent before, “felt like being part of something that is doing what higher ed’s purpose is: to be the great equalizer.” He added that holding this position isn’t just about his own voice—it’s about honoring the sacrifices of those who paved the way for him.

“It’s not just me becoming Student Regent,” said the Ph.D. candidate from UC Merced, “It’s my mom, it’s my grandparents, it’s every single person in our communities who fought for us.”

How Students Can Get Involved

The involvement of student leaders like Beharry and Brooks is essential for helping the university respond with compassion and clarity to student activism, according to Raquel Rall, associate dean of strategic initiatives at UC Riverside and an expert on higher education governance.

In an October 9 presentation hosted by the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement, Rall shared that for students who want to influence policy and elevate campus dialogue one clear pathway is to join advisory committees and university boards. These formal roles give students the opportunity to bring their lived experiences and perspectives into decision-making spaces—something Beharry and Brooks say is more vital than ever.

In the March 2025 podcast, Beharry noted how impactful it is when students approach issues with both passion and preparation.

“When students bring the data, the solutions, the stories and the empathy behind it… it translates,” he said.

Brooks echoed that sentiment with a personal story about addressing issues surrounding graduate student housing at a UC Regents meeting through a speech that used Elvis Presley song titles to underscore systemic challenges.

“Even to this day, the Regents still remember that speech,” she said. “It’s about the delivery…. You have to know the audience to which you're speaking, and craft those messages to be receptive.”

UC Davis' Role

While UC Davis was not involved in producing the SpeechMatters episode featuring Beharry and Brooks, the university has contributed to the broader UC dialogue on free speech through participation in other events including a March 4 SpeechMatters podcast discussion on institutional neutrality featuring UC Davis Law Professor Bryan Soucek.

Through the Dynamic Discussions platform, UC Davis aims to elevate stories like these—not to direct the conversation, but to reflect the wide range of perspectives, insights and leadership taking shape across the UC system.

As Beharry reminded listeners:

“There’s too much on the line right now to be passive,” he said. “You’ve got to just find that one issue… and you’ve got to fight for it.”

Listen to the full podcast episode: “Listening to Lead: UC Student Regents on the Power of Engagement”

Or see how students are taking action in shaping campus policy: “How UC Students Shape Free Speech”