For our Global Engagement Recognition Lunch encompassing Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters, we awarded 19 new Global Fellows. These members of faculty either hosted a Global Spotlight event with their classes or arranged a UN International/ World Day event. 10 faculty members returned again to either host another Global Spotlight or to allow a Global Engagement Student Council member to give a presentation in their classroom. For the 6 new faculty members that dedicated time and efforts on a UNESCO chair project, they were recognized with a Global Scholars award. Their projects took place in Greece, Indonesia, the Dominican Repbulic and Cameroon. 7 past awardees continued working on UNESCO chair projects in the Donimican Republic, Peru, Cameroon, and Thailand for a second year. At this event, we also recognized the contributions made by our six Student Council members.
Our final Global Spotlight of the Spring 2026 semester focused on Refugee Education. Adam Ogurlu welcomed Amy Horrocks from SafeHavens on April 14th and Leonard Bagalwa from Utah Valley Refugees on April 15. They shared achievements and education goals uniquely set for the refugee populations they help. The classes were made up of teachers working towards their master degrees. Global Engagement Student Council member, Ana Caballero, assisted with arranging the guest presenters.
The UVU Symphony Orchestra welcomed Ukrainian-born violinst and concertmaster of the Harrisburg Symphony, Peter Sirotin, for "An Evening for Ukraine" as they performed a powerful tribute to the vibrant country, culture, and resillency in the face of continuing hardship. The Office for Global Engagement assisted with logistics for Mr. Sirotin and hosted visiting Ukrainian Consul General, Dmytro Kushneruk.
On April 7th, we were pleased to have guest presenter, Ross A. Chiles, founder of BSD Product Design in Taiwan for a Global Spotlight event organized by Jonathon Wood from UVU International Leadership, WSB. Mr. Chiles shared his unique experience in the world of international business in Asia and challenged students to stand out when pursuing international careers and to focus on enhancing attributes such as optimism, gratitude and empathy. The guest speaker participation was coordinated with assistance from GESC member, Nam Ho.
Troy Taysom, lecturer from the UVU Information Technology department, arranged for and moderated a panel of experts to address the topic of "IP, Cyber Law and the Global Legal Battle for Digital Rights" for our next Global Spotlight event. Panelists indluded: Matthew Morrise, attorney and digital forensic investigator; Curt Anderson, professor of Law, BYU; Dolly Chitta Ph.D., Tech-to-Market, IP Strategist; and Matt North, professor, UVU Information Systems & Technology. Global Engagement Student Council member, Mohamed Maiga, assisted with moderating the event.
With over 100 in attendance, this Global Spotlight brought to light the history and stories of Japanese Americans interred in Utah during WWII. Hillary Howell, from the Japanese Program at UVU invited Scott Bassett, Topaz Museum board member and director of education, to give a presentation to language and history classes. He traced the timeline of prejudice towards the Japanese and how this discriminated population found themselves relocated to the middle of the Utah desert. More than 11,000 Japanese Americans were processed through the Topaz War Relocation Center near Delta, Utah, between 1942 and 1945.
In collaboration with Georgia Halkia, assistant professor of public health, and the Wolverine Publich Health Club, our Global Spotlight took the form a panel discussion focused on the local Refugee experience and highlighted how the health community can better serve this population. Guest panelist from Afghanistan, Nigeria, Congo and South Africa, shared their insight and personal stories about leaving their home countries as they build a new life in Utah.
The Office for Global Engagement celebrated United Nations Zero Waste Day in the Science Building Atrium with a well attended Free Market and a presentation on reducing food waste.
For our most recent Global Spotlight, Dr. Maritza Sotomayor invited guest speaker, Rita Mesias, senior economist for the Balance of Payments Division, IMF Statistics Department, to present her insights on External Sector Statistics and the International Monetary Fund. Ms. Mesias gave a second presentation in the Keller Building Vallejo Auditorium that afternoon.
Over Spring Break 2026, fifteen Utah Valley University students visited the United Nations as part of their Cold War course taught by Dr. Frederick White. With logistical assistance from the Office of Global Engagement, students gained firsthand exposure to diplomacy and international relations. Supported by a grant from the U.S. Russia Foundation (USRF), the group traveled to New York City to meet with several diplomatic missions and explore communities shaped by the legacy of the Soviet Union, including UN officials from the missions of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Latvia. Discussions focused on the country's individual UN agendas as well as their economic and security priorities, many of which continue to navigate complex relationships with Russia.
This year, our office got a jump start on International Women's Day (March 8) commemorative events. On March 5, we hosted a service project in coordination with The Refuge Utah. Throughout the morning students and staff stopped by to help tie blankets for women in crisis. Later that afternoon, Meghana Rawat, director of the UVU Global/Intercultural Program and assistant professor in the Department of Communication, moderated a discussion titled "Women in Business: A Global Lens to Sucess". She was joined by Dr. Rachel Bi, chair of Finance and Economics and director of UVU FinTech and Legogang Monageng-Goad, executive director of Yoga Forward. On March 6, Dr. Susan Merrill from UVU Peace & Justice Studies, gave a presentation " Women and War: From Victims to Victors" where she highlighted several conflicts in Africa and how women empowered themselves to peacefully protest and ultimately, overcome their opressors.
On March 3, Dr. Carl Canlas, from UVU Information Systems & Technology, facilitated a collaborative teaching webinar between students in Utah and the Philippines for his Global Spotlight event. The topic of the exchange of information and ideas was "Securing Databases in a Global Context". With 60+ online and in-person attendees, Dr. Dennis Alfaro from the School of Management & Information Systems at De La Salle University College of Saint Pernilde joined the interactive discussion from the Philippines.
Our Global Engagement Student Council learned about the value of international service and learning from Brent Spencer, Director of Education Abroad. Brent shared his experience working for 2 years for the Peace Corps in Bolivia, focusing on how he was able to expand own personal knowledge and skills to improve the community he lived in.
UVU professor, Kristina Oldroyd, opend up a portion of her classperiod to exploring "Bilingualism and the Global Brain: Thinking in More than One Language". For this Global Spotlight, the class began with an interactive portion where students highlighted words or phrases in their native language that dont completely translate into English. With nearly 100 in attendance, a panel of bilingual students then shared how they think, feel and express thier views in two languages. Attendees learned how the brain's activity is increased and strenghted by fluency in a second language.
On February 25, through funding from our Global Spotlight Initiative, we supported Devin Gilbert from the Language and Culture department with Language Industry Day 2026 @ UVU. Guest presenter, Jeff Beatty from the Walt Disney Corp, advised students to expand their career options by not only studying languages, but by paring that with additional academic studies like computer science and business. A career fair filled in the first floor of the Clarke Building with UVU language offerings, local businesses and career opportunites.
In an intimite setting on February 20th, Bulgarian Violinists, Jassen Todorov, and Serbian Pianist, Vedrana Subotnic, brought some of Beethoven's best know sonatas to life.
Our next Global Spotlight "Cómo llevar un negocio Hispano al éxito en Utah" with the family team running Cakes By Edith, was presented in Spanish with English interpretation (provided by students from the Language Interpretation class.) A collaboration with Prof. Mari de Dios from Languages & Cultures, this event focused on how the family navigated starting thier own business in Utah. Daughters, Alma and Diana, both graduated from UVU and play a major role in the running of thier two bakeries.
On Feburary 11 we held a very informative Global Spotlight titled "Building Bidges: Collaborative Solutions for Water Sustainability between Peru and Utah." This UNESCO Chair project, highlighted the recent trip to sites in Peru by UVU faculty and students to do water sample collection and analysis. Presenters included, Stone Smith, a UVU Chemistry student, and faculty members, Dr Sally Rocks, Dr. Lauren Brooks, and Dr. Eddy Cadet.
It was an honor to have one of our own professors, Dr. Lynn England from Peace & Justice Studies, to present his thoughts and insight on how our early global encounters can shape who we become. His extensive experience in Mexico and Cuba left him with lasting impressions and taught him to value of finding out what people really need instead of telling them what they need before trying to help.
January 27, 1945 was the day the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated as WWII neared its end. In 2005, the United Nations recognized the significance of this event and the importance of this day and so they designated January 27 as a UN International Day of Remembrance for Victims of the Holocaust. To further the dialogue on human rights, peace & justice, and equality, the Office for Global Engagement had an interactive tabling display to remind, educate and honor this solemn event.
Our first Global Spotlight of 2026 was a collaboration with the UVU Russian Program. On January 14, over 75 attendees celebrated the Slavic Old New Year with food, music, and a visit from Grandfather Frost and the Snowmaiden. We learned about the history of the holiday and our Russian language learners had a fabulous opportunity to interact with native speakers.
