This Global Spotlight was held in conjuction with several class from National Security Studies. The two career diplomats were invited by Professor Jonathan Rudd to share their vast experience in the Foreign Service living and working abroad. They also advised students on the process and best practices used when applying to work for the U.S. State Department.
The Office for Global Engagement celebrated UN recognized World Clean-Up Day along with the Really Really Free Market and the Sustainable Fashion Show. Student, faculty and staff all benefited from the chance to give used items a second life and to keep them out of the landfills.
Dr. Carl Canlas, from the Information Systems Department, arranged for Dr. Arbër Beshiri and Dr. Dorinë Rakaj from the University of Prizen, Kosovo, to give the presentation on the intracacies of the dark web, both from their part of the world and globally. They also shared some cultural highlights from Kosovo. Global Student Council member, Marthina Jensen, assisted with setting up this Global Spotlight event.
Dr. Hilary Hungerford from the Earth Science Department spent a semester as a Fulbright Scholar in Mongolia. On October 28th, she collaborated with Global Engagement Student Council member, Emujin Chinbold (also from Mongolia) for a Global Spotlight event focused on "Climate, Culture, and Mongolia's Future.
On October 27 and 28, 2026, The Office for Global Engagement held a showcase of United Nations events and UNESCO Chair projects it organizes throught the year. UN events include International Women's Day and World Clean Up Day. UNESCO Chair projects from Greece to Cameroon and the Dominican Republic to Thailand were highlighted.
On Tuesday October 21, 2026, The Office for Global Engagement held their monthly Global Faculty/Staff Networking meeting. Here faculty and staff chatted about universal issues and built connections with each other.
This Global Spotlight presentation was led by Dr. Rachel Bi, UVU Department chair of Finance and Economics and Director of UVU FinTech Center, with Jenna Smith, AFC®, Money Success Center Financial Coach and Howard Chaung, UVU International Student and Financial Planning & FinTech Researcher and Global Englagement Student Council memeber also contributed to the discussion.
Paul Monson from the Art & Mechanical Design Department invited Alejandro Garcia Hermida, an internationally recognized educator and preservation leader, to share his global perspectives on deisgn, with a focus on how traditional architecture can create beautiful, sustainable communities.
On Thursday 8th of October, 2026, Felipe Queipo, UN Official and Communications Officer, addresed the topic " Who Gets the World's Hardest Job? A thankless task, a shrinking institution, and eight prople who want it anyway". His insigts into the upcoming election for the new UN Secretary Geneal offered a peek behind the curtain into this dynamic global institution.
On Monday 5th of October 2026, the Office for Global Engagement, in collaboration the School of Education, celebrated World Teacher's Day. Professor Adam Ogurlu, from the School of Education, invited 2026 Utah Teacher of the Year, Joanna Andres from Park City High School, to speak to students. There were 50 people in attendance.
On September 29, the Office for Global Engagement, Peace and Justice Studies and the Reflection Center collaborated on presenting International Day of Peace. Keanani Afu, Reflection Center Coordinator, give the introdution to the event. Lizzy Jensen, Program Director Interfaith Engagement, gave a short presentation about peace. Chris Davey, Peace and Justice Studies Program Director, spoke about what peace means to us. Then led an activity that had atendees write on a long paper, what peace meant to them. There were 40 people in attendance.
On September 23, we had a Global Spotlight event, facilitated by Charlotte Poulson from the Art & Design Department. She invided Dr. Beth Krensky, local artist and art professor from the University of Utah, to explore "Sacred Journeys: Relics, Place, Memory & The Art of Pilgrimage." 3 classes attended the event during which, participants were able to to craft their own personal relequiess.
Our first Global Spotlight of the seemester was in collabortion with the department of Architecture & Engineering Design. Dr. Paul Monson, arranged to bring Yasmeen Lari, a renown architect visitng from Pakistan. She and Dr. Monson had an open discussion with architecture students before her lecture where she elaborated on several traditional, sustainable architecture projects she led in Pakistan. Approximately 100 were in attendance.
On Tuesday September 8, 2026, the Global Engagement partnered with School of Education to celebrate International Day of Literacy. Several classes participated in the event, consisting of literacy related activity stations where students read an intercultural children's book, made a bookmark, gave book suggestions, and learned about literacy initiatives.
On Tuesday September 1, 2026, the Global Engagement Student Council toured the Roots of Knowledge. This excursion was a great way to help our students explore global unifying ideals.
On August 27, 2026, The Office for Global Engagement, along with the Ssejinja Foundation and Utah Valley Refugees, celebrated United Nations International Day for People of African Descent. We heard from Herby Fullmer - UVU Student Body President, David Ssejinjia - Sejinja Children's Foundation, Gloria Mensah - GK Folks Foundation, Abigail, Savannah, and Elsa - UNESCO Benin trip student participants, Emily - Utah Valley Refugees.
On August 25, 2026, The Office for Global Engagement held a "Welcome to the Semester" event for the Global Faculty & Staff Networking group. With over 60 in attendance, it was a great opportunity to renew friendships and make new connections on campus.
On August 18, 2026, The Office for Global Engagement held their Global Engagement Student Council Retreat, welcoming our 2026-27 council members: Howard Cheung, Camila Dickson, Emujin Chinbold, Bishakha Tamrakar, Marthina Jensen, Ethan Chournos.
On July 14-15, 2026, The Office for Global Engagement collaborated with the College of Science to show the Semi-Finals of the World Cup for all students, faculty and staff.
On June 17, 2026, The Office for Global Engagement collaborated with Kim Reynolds from the UVU GYM to recognize Yoga Day. The UN celebrates the day annually to raise global awareness about the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of the practice.
