History of the Global Spotlight Series

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 鈥淕lobal Spotlight鈥. 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.
Upcoming Events

Government, Society, Academics

Forsyth 101
04/16/2026 04:30 PM

A Global Spotlight Presentation on Government, Society, Academics: Past, Present, and Future of Government Involvement in Society and the Economy

Featuring:
Dr. Edward Lopez (Economics)
Dr. Sur Ah Hahn (Social Work)
Dr. Susana Romero (History)
Dr. Brian Byrd (Environmental Health Sciences)

Students attending presentation
We had our best turnout ever for our Global Spotlight presentation on February 25th! The audience heard interesting presentations about the Ukraine-Russia War from Cory Vaillancourt, Dr. David Dorondo, and Dr. Charles Fagan. These were followed by great questions from the audience.
Past Events

March 25, 2026 - The Relations of Nations - The Dance of Diplomacy
February 25, 2026 - The Ukraine-Russia War - Four Years In
September 25, 2025 - International Trade
November 12, 2025 - Nuclear Weapons
March 25, 2025 - Rise of Populism
February 13, 2025 - The Museo de la Malvinas
January 29, 2025 - Migration
April 8, 2024 - Artificial Intelligence
February 21, 2024 - The Russian-Ukraine War: Two Years In