Communication Studies

The University of Texas - Tyler competes nationally in NPDA/NPTE Parliamentary debate. This format of debate requires participants to compete in partnerships of two, who accrue points towards a national season-long ranking. The University of Texas - Tyler currently boasts the 27th and 35th ranked partnerships in the country, with high expectations of success at the national championship tournament, as well as in future seasons. Collegiate debate fosters fast and strong critical thinking skills, argument development, as well as requires a broad knowledge of argumentation theory, political science, philosophy, current events, and effective diverse advocacy.

The debate team at UT Tyler has been fortunate enough to compete at tournaments across the country, from the University of California - Berkeley campus, to Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, dedicated students are exposed to the highest level of competition the nation has to offer. The University of Texas Tyler has competed against a diverse range of schools, including Notre Dame, the University of Minnesota, the University of California, Texas Tech University, Morehouse College, McKendree University, Lewis & Clark College, Whitman College, and more of the country's top minds.

President

Leilani Hurtado

Vice-President

Zachery Stansbery

The debate team is lead by Dr. Joe Provencher, the Director of Forensics and Head Coach. He can be contacted at jprovencher@uttyler.edu.