The Pomona Student Union (PSU) was founded in 2003 in response to the war in Iraq. On campus sentiments were strongly anti-war, and the PSU leadership at the time wished to invite speakers with an opposing viewpoint to campus in order to better represent their own perspectives. Though the PSU has made severe missteps in the past, inviting some speakers that made students feel unsafe, the current members and leadership of the PSU are committed to fostering an environment in which students are exposed to diverse views, some of which may challenge their own, while respecting their right to feel safe on campus.

Historically, the PSU has invited prominent speakers from across the country to discuss their areas of expertise. In addition to bringing in speakers, the organization has sponsored student and faculty debates and panels. In recent years, the PSU has expanded its programming to creating spaces where students and staff feel comfortable with being vulnerable in conversation, a critical first step for engaging in open dialogue about controversial subjects.​ Underpinning this change is the tenet that being willing to listen to and share in diverse perspectives is necessary to develop a more informed understanding of global issues. Looking to the future, the PSU envisions engaging students and community members in a diverse spectrum of topics and experiences that enable them to step outside their own perspectives and uplift their community through dialogue, awareness, and action.