2025 Symposium on Young American Men
A Discussion That Can't Wait
Young American men face real challenges that demand urgent attention and thoughtful solutions that actually work. From skyrocketing mental health crises and declining college enrollment to digital addiction and social isolation, an entire generation of males is struggling to find their place in modern America. And it's not just men who are hurting because of it. Women, their families, their communities, and their country all suffer as a result.
The first-ever Symposium on Young American Men will convene lawmakers from both major political parties, health care experts, men's organizations, policymakers, researchers, and education leaders to examine the scope of these critical social challenges and present evidence-based proposals to improve male well-being.
Join us in Washington, D.C., and online on Monday, November 3, 2025 for this timely and necessary conversation about the future of young American men.
The first-ever Symposium on Young American Men will convene lawmakers from both major political parties, health care experts, men's organizations, policymakers, researchers, and education leaders to examine the scope of these critical social challenges and present evidence-based proposals to improve male well-being.
Join us in Washington, D.C., and online on Monday, November 3, 2025 for this timely and necessary conversation about the future of young American men.
Location
National Press Club
529 14th St NW, Washington, DC
529 14th St NW, Washington, DC
Date & Time
November 3, 2025
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
A Letter From The Founder
At The Lafayette Company, we have had the honor of working with organizations representing millions of men throughout every season of their lives, particularly during their formative college years. It is from this vantage point that we recognized an urgent need and organized the first-ever Symposium on Young American Men on November 3, 2025 in Washington, D.C. and streaming online.
Recent incidents of political violence and growing national concern about young men's social isolation have underscored what we already knew: this conversation cannot wait. Young men need our attention, our resources, and our commitment to understanding the unique challenges they face.
This symposium exists to foster thoughtful dialogue, share evidence-based solutions, and build bridges among those working on the front lines of this issue and those who care for men everywhere. It is also a reminder that sound policy must transcend politics and that everyone with the capability to help has a responsibility to do so.
We are grateful to our growing list of sponsors and speakers whose support makes this critical work possible. Thank you for joining us in this vital mission.
The Symposium on Young American Men is one of the first of many necessary concrete actions to meet this immense challenge. We encourage everyone to remain engaged and committed to the making the changes that matter to young men in our country.
Sincerely,
Recent incidents of political violence and growing national concern about young men's social isolation have underscored what we already knew: this conversation cannot wait. Young men need our attention, our resources, and our commitment to understanding the unique challenges they face.
This symposium exists to foster thoughtful dialogue, share evidence-based solutions, and build bridges among those working on the front lines of this issue and those who care for men everywhere. It is also a reminder that sound policy must transcend politics and that everyone with the capability to help has a responsibility to do so.
We are grateful to our growing list of sponsors and speakers whose support makes this critical work possible. Thank you for joining us in this vital mission.
The Symposium on Young American Men is one of the first of many necessary concrete actions to meet this immense challenge. We encourage everyone to remain engaged and committed to the making the changes that matter to young men in our country.
Sincerely,
Ellen Carmichael
Founder
Symposium on Young American Men
Founder
Symposium on Young American Men
Speakers
Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. Please check the website regularly for updates.
Senator Ruben Gallego
Arizona
Senator James Lankford
Oklahoma
Senator John Cornyn
Texas
Dr. William Beach
Former Commissioner of Labor Statistics (BLS) (Trump & Biden Administrations)
Dr. Steve McGuire
Fellow,
American Council of Trustees and Alumni
American Council of Trustees and Alumni
Patrick E. Kelly
Supreme Knight,
Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
Wynn Smiley
CEo, Alpha Tau Omega
chairman, north american interfraternity conference
chairman, north american interfraternity conference
John Cusey
Executive Director,
Institute for Families and Technology
Institute for Families and Technology
Alex Tarascio
Principal & Pollster,
Cygnal
Cygnal
Akash Chougule
President,
Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP)
Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP)
Mike Mayer
CEO,
Theta Chi
Theta Chi
Larry Wiese
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,
Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order
Dr. Anthony V. Mack
Director of Chapter Services,
SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON
SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON
Gonzalo Schwarz
Founder, President & CEO,
Archbridge Institute
Archbridge Institute
Marc Caputo
Reporter,
Axios
Axios
Antong Lucky
President & CEO,
Urban Specialists
Urban Specialists
Saul Malek
educator on Modern gambling
Col. Lance Van Zandt
U.S. Army (Ret.)
Dr. Nicholas Eberstadt
Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy
Cole Lyle
Director of Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation,
The American Legion
The American Legion
Brian Heilman
Senior Fellow,
Movember
Movember
Kate Odell
Editorial Board Member,
Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal
Kathryn Jean Lopez
Editor-At-Large,
National Review
National Review
Dr. Sally Satel
Lecturer, Yale University School of Medicine
Delegate Josh Thomas
Virginia House of Delegates
McKay Coppins
Writer, The Atlantic
Dr. Dawn Watkins Wiese
COO, FRMT, Ltd.
Adjunct Faculty, Virginia Military Institute
Adjunct Faculty, Virginia Military Institute
Michael DeVaul
Director, Young Men Thriving,
ymca
ymca
Dr. Taveeshi Gupta
Director of Research,
Equimundo
Equimundo
Michael Marinaccio
Executive Director,
Center for Responsible Technology
Center for Responsible Technology
Dr. Larry Stimpert
President, Hampden-Sydney College
Edward Magee
Chief Operating Officer- Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine, Vice President for Strategic Operations
Chris Moody
Journalist,
Lecturer, Appalachian State University
Lecturer, Appalachian State University
Patrick Bourke
senior policy fellow at the American Institute for Boys and Men
Dan Kain
Founder
Brotherhood DMV
Brotherhood DMV
.
.
Schedule
Please note: This is a draft schedule and is subject to change. We will update this page as details are confirmed. Please check back regularly for the most current information.
New Data on Young Men in America: Presentation from Cygnal
10:00 AM
Young men aged 16–28 face rising social isolation, mental health struggles, and lives lived increasingly online. This session examines new survey data on how they find connection, guidance, and meaning—and whether fraternities, religious groups, and other male institutions still matter for their well-being. What's really driving the crisis, and where are young men turning for support?
Presenter: Alex Tarascio, Cygnal
Presenter: Alex Tarascio, Cygnal
Breaking the Silence: Addressing Young Men’s Mental Health Emergency
10:15 AM
This panel will confront the alarming mental health crisis facing young American men, including skyrocketing rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among college-aged males. The discussion will examine the cultural and social barriers that prevent young men from seeking help and how community-based solutions can provide the support necessary to save a generation of men.
Speakers:
Brian Heilman, Movember
Cole Lyle, American Legion
Dan Kain, Brotherhood DMV
Dr. Sally Satel, MD, Yale School of Medicine
Moderator: Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review
Speakers:
Brian Heilman, Movember
Cole Lyle, American Legion
Dan Kain, Brotherhood DMV
Dr. Sally Satel, MD, Yale School of Medicine
Moderator: Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review
Restoring Resilience in the Digital Storm
11:00 AM
This panel will explore real-world strategies and public policy proposals to help young men develop healthier relationships with gaming, social media, chat servers, and emerging AI technologies. The discussion will examine evidence-based approaches for creating productive digital boundaries and leveraging technology for positive outcomes rather than passive consumption.
Speakers:
John Cusey, Institute for Families and Technology
Saul Malek, Online Gambling Expert
Michael Marinaccio, Center for Responsible Technology
Del. Josh Thomas, State of Virginia
Moderator: Chris Moody, Appalachian State University
Speakers:
John Cusey, Institute for Families and Technology
Saul Malek, Online Gambling Expert
Michael Marinaccio, Center for Responsible Technology
Del. Josh Thomas, State of Virginia
Moderator: Chris Moody, Appalachian State University
Building Prosperity for Young American Men
11:45 AM
This panel examines structural barriers preventing young men from thriving economically and explores practical solutions including expanding access to skilled trades, strengthening education-to-employment pathways, removing barriers to entrepreneurship, and addressing regional disparities. Discussion will focus on how economic insecurity intersects with broader challenges including mental health and community belonging, while identifying practical policies that restore economic hope and independence.
Speakers:
Sen. John Cornyn, State of Texas
Dr. William Beach, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Trump and Biden Administrations)
Dr. Nicholas Eberstadt, American Enterprise Institute
Patrick Bourke, American Institute for Boys and Men
Moderator: Kate Odell, Wall Street Journal
Speakers:
Sen. John Cornyn, State of Texas
Dr. William Beach, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Trump and Biden Administrations)
Dr. Nicholas Eberstadt, American Enterprise Institute
Patrick Bourke, American Institute for Boys and Men
Moderator: Kate Odell, Wall Street Journal
Meaning and Belonging: Building Strong Male Connections in an Age of Isolation
1:00 PM
This panel will explore how young men can forge authentic bonds across socioeconomic, racial, and cultural divides through shared purpose and common ideals. The discussion will examine successful models—from military service and athletic teams to volunteer organizations—that unite men from diverse backgrounds around goals rather than demographics. Panelists will highlight practical strategies for building inclusive male spaces where character and commitment matter most.
Speakers:
Sen. Ruben Gallego, State of Arizona
Antong Lucky, Urban Specialists
Wynn Smiley, Alpha Tau Omega and Chairman of North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC)
Col. Lance Van Zandt, U.S. Army (ret.)
Moderator: Marc Caputo, Axios
Speakers:
Sen. Ruben Gallego, State of Arizona
Antong Lucky, Urban Specialists
Wynn Smiley, Alpha Tau Omega and Chairman of North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC)
Col. Lance Van Zandt, U.S. Army (ret.)
Moderator: Marc Caputo, Axios
What Young Men Need and What Policymakers Can Do
1:45 PM
This panel will examine exclusive survey results capturing young American men's own perspectives on their lives, including their feelings about time spent online, job prospects, personal relationships, and overall well-being. Following the data presentation, a group of experts will discuss concrete policy proposals to address the challenges revealed in the polling, exploring initiatives ranging from mental health access and educational support to workforce development and community engagement programs.
Speakers:
Alex Tarascio, Cygnal
Akash Chougule, FREOPP
Gonzalo Schwarz, Archbridge Institute
Dr. Taveeshi Gupta, Equimundo
Moderator: McKay Coppins, The Atlantic
Speakers:
Alex Tarascio, Cygnal
Akash Chougule, FREOPP
Gonzalo Schwarz, Archbridge Institute
Dr. Taveeshi Gupta, Equimundo
Moderator: McKay Coppins, The Atlantic
The Role of Faith and Civic Institutions in Restoring Male Community
2:30 PM
This panel will examine how religious groups, volunteer organizations, fraternities, and other civic associations provide young men with mentorship, moral frameworks, and opportunities for meaningful service. The discussion will explore how these institutions can adapt to engage a generation skeptical of traditional involvement while maintaining the core elements of ritual, service, and community that effectively foster male development and belonging.
Speakers:
Sen. James Lankford, State of Oklahoma
Patrick Kelly, Knights of Columbus (National HQ)
Larry Wiese, Kappa Alpha Order
Michael DeVaul, Boys and Young Men of Color, YMCA
Moderator: Mike Mayer, Theta Chi
Speakers:
Sen. James Lankford, State of Oklahoma
Patrick Kelly, Knights of Columbus (National HQ)
Larry Wiese, Kappa Alpha Order
Michael DeVaul, Boys and Young Men of Color, YMCA
Moderator: Mike Mayer, Theta Chi
The Campus Challenge: How Higher Education Can Better Serve Male Students
3:15 PM
This panel will consider strategies for reversing declining male enrollment and improving academic outcomes, including expanding single-sex spaces, targeting recruitment efforts toward young men, and creating campus structures that welcome rather than discourage healthy expressions of masculinity. The discussion will explore how universities can develop male-focused support programs, safeguard student civil liberties, and foster campus cultures where young men feel valued and supported in their academic and personal development.
Speakers:
Dr. Larry Stimpert, Hampden-Sydney College
Dr. Steve McGuire, American Council of Trustees and Alumni
Dr. Dawn Watkins Wiese, Virginia Military Institute
Ed Magee, Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University
Moderator: Dr. Anthony Mack, Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Speakers:
Dr. Larry Stimpert, Hampden-Sydney College
Dr. Steve McGuire, American Council of Trustees and Alumni
Dr. Dawn Watkins Wiese, Virginia Military Institute
Ed Magee, Thomas F. Frist Jr. College of Medicine at Belmont University
Moderator: Dr. Anthony Mack, Sigma Alpha Epsilon