The Global Spotlight Series grew out of an emergency university townhall that was called by Dr. David Dorondo, Dr. Niall Michelsen and Dr. Jen Schiff after the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014. After this initial townhall, these professors began organizing two to three panel discussions each semester on important topics from around the world under the name “Global Spotlight”. Topics have included US/Cuba Relations, Global Climate Change, the Russian-Ukraine War, Disinformation & Gender, Global Water Scarcity, and Global Gender and Sexuality, among many others. Presenters have included faculty from across the university and beyond. In 2023 the International Studies Program took over responsibility for the Global Spotlight Series.
Migration - Postponed to Spring 2025
Dr. Kyle Harvey – “The Many Meanings of Latin American Migrations in Historical Perspective”
Dr. Mumem Mwaniki – “Black Immigration, the Diaspora, and Sport"
Dr. Mark Lewin – “Coming to America & Going Back to Africa: The physical and intellectual diaspora of African students 1920-1947"
Rise of Populism - Postponed to Spring 2025
April 8, 2024 - Artificial Intelligence
February 21, 2024 - The Russian-Ukraine War: Two Years In