“I Never Thought of It That Way” Author Mónica Guzmán to Speak at Cal Poly Pomona
Mónica Guzmán, author of “I Never Thought of It That Way,” will visit Cal Poly Pomona for the Common Read Keynote event.
Guzmán will participate in a fireside chat exploring themes of her book, which was selected as CPP’s 2025-26 Common Read. This engaging conversation, set for Tuesday, March 10 at 11:45 a.m. in the Bronco Student Center’s Ursa Major, will be co-facilitated by Dustin Johnson, tutor coordinator at the Reading, Advising, & Mentoring Program, and Rayheem Eskridge, research and instruction librarian. Registration for the event is free and open to community members.
“I Never Thought of It That Way” serves as a toolkit for navigating difficult conversations and bridging divides through curiosity and empathy. Throughout the book, Guzmán draws from her experience working across political and cultural divides to help people understand one another in an increasingly polarized world. Using her experiences as a Mexican immigrant and the daughter of conservative parents, Guzmán examines how people can engage meaningfully with others who hold different perspectives. Through interviews and practical dialogue strategies, the book highlights the power of curiosity in fostering understanding.
The Common Read is part of the university’s First Year Experience Program, which encourages students, faculty, and staff to engage in shared learning experience, according to Dora Lee, assistant vice president of academic engagement and success. Now in its 19th year, the First Year Experience programs have engaged thousands of community members, with past Common Read selections highlighting themes of sustainability, inclusivity, first generation experiences, and perseverance.
”We are excited to welcome Mónica Guzmán to Cal Poly Pomona as our Common Read keynote speaker,” Lee said. “‘I Never Thought of It That Way’ speaks directly to the challenges students face today as they navigate differences in an increasingly polarized and digitally siloed world. The book’s emphasis on curiosity, empathy and dialogue makes it a powerful shared reading experience for our first-year students and a meaningful opportunity for our entire campus community to reflect, learn and engage together.”
During the event, FYE will also announce the winners of the annual writing contest. Students responded to prompts inspired by the book, reflecting on curious conversations, the impact of digital silos, and ways to foster empathy and dialogue across differences on campus.
The FYE program continues to strengthen its campus community by supporting students as they transition to CPP and explore opportunities connected to their major through FYE courses offered across all eight colleges. The FYE Committee is accepting nominations for the 2026-27 Common Read. Fiction or nonfiction books that spark discussion and reflect diverse perspectives can be submitted on the Common Read website by March 1, giving the campus community a chance to engage in shared conversation.
To Learn more about the First Year Experience Program, visit its website.