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.
September 25, 2025 - International Trade
Late October - 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