Thanks to the GIC community of faculty, students, and staff who came together to kick off our year at the GIC Open House on September 3. A special thanks to the GIC Student Ambassadors for sharing highlights of their summer study, travel, internship, and work experiences, and to our team of faculty who accompanied the Tandana Foundation on an exploratory trip to Ecuador. Look for Student Ambassador profiles in upcoming editions of the newsletter.

Students in Liz Wilson's REL 180, "What is the Good Life?" experimented with using the Buddha's voice to write greeting cards. This is one of the many experiential exercises in which members of this class will engage over the course of the semester. 

Pictured left to right: Audrey Hughes, Maggie Crookston, Ava Brenner, Mateo Avila, Cinna Ferrante, Ava Daraskavish, Gray Panhorst

Two graduate students from last spring's WGS 602 Feminist Theory and Methods class, taught by Kenna Neitch, recently published book reviews that they wrote as part of the class. Thomas Gurinskas reviewed the edited volume Failing Sideways: Queer Possibilities for Writing Assessment (2023) and Tommie Leigh McPhetridge reviewed the book Difficult Empathy and Rhetorical Encounters (2024). Both reviews appeared in the Spring 2025 issue of the journal Transnational Feminist Rhetorical Studies.

They stayed with local families, and engaged in educational, business, agricultural, and cultural exchanges with community members. They reflected on their experiences in the blog linked below. GIC students: stay tuned for upcoming study abroad options to this stunning region in the Andes.

GIC faculty members Damon Scott, Juan Carlos Albarrán and José Amador took an exploratory trip this summer to Otavalo, Ecuador, as part of our new partnership with the Tandana Foundation. While there, they explored the opportunities for student study abroad, internships, and community development connections. 

Oana Godeanu-Kenworthy published a new article in the online popular culture studies magazine PopMatters. In it, she explores the use of Western tropes of Americanness in "Red Westerns," or Eastern European versions that replicated the styles of the classic western film genre from the 1960s to the 1980s. Delve into her exploration of the mythology-bending cultural forms here.  

Kenna Neitch joined the International Advisory Board of the academic journal Feminist Studies, on invitation. Feminist Studies is the oldest journal in the field of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. 

Elena Jackson Albarrán taught a class on methods to all four Kramer Elementary 4th grade classes. They worked together to analyze child-produced historical documents, find evidence, and place it in context. 

Wednesday, September 17, 4:30-6 pm | Wilks Theater, Armstrong Student Center

"Anchored in uBuntu: Reflecting on Power Dynamics in International Negotiations, Global Citizenship, and Artificial Intelligence" 

Dr. José Cossa is a Mozambican-American scholar and an Associate Professor in the College of Education at Penn State. He has a Ph.D. in Cultural and Educational Policy Studies with a focus in Comparative and International Education from Loyola University Chicago. He is the author of the book Power, Politics, and Higher Education: International Regimes, Local Governments, and Educational Autonomy. In 2023, he was named a UNESCO International Bureau of Education Fellow and a member of the MacArthur Foundation 100&Change Panel of Judges for two consecutive years (2018 Inaugural Challenge and 2019). 

Dr. Cossa’s research focuses on power dynamics in negotiation over educational policy. His research expertise includes higher education policy and administration; international development; global and social justice, adult online and distance education as well as education in Africa. 

Thursday, September 18, 9 am- 3 pm | Armstrong Student Center, Fritz Pavilion

This Career Fair for government and non-profit career options is part of Citizenship and Democracy Week. This signature event connects students with alumni, faculty, and employers for a day of career exploration, skill building, and networking. In collaboration with the Department of Political Science and the Menard Family Center for Democracy, this event will support students interested in working in roles within government and non-profit organizations. Participants will learn more about career paths, strategies leading to a successful job/internship search, network with employers recruiting Miami University students, and hear from successful Alumni.

9:00 AM – 9:50 AM - Welcome/Overview w/ Breakfast

10:00 AM – 10:45 AM - Concurrent Sessions 1 (A, B, C)

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM - Concurrent Sessions 2 (A, B, C)

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM - Lunch & Alumni Speaker, Jane Sargus '77 (Executive Director of the Congressional Office for International Leadership [COIL]). Through COIL’s Open World program, Ms. Sargus oversees international exchanges that connect global civic and political leaders with U.S. communities—strengthening diplomacy, fostering collaboration, and promoting mutual understanding. With more than 40 years of federal experience and a distinguished career in public service, she will share unique insights at the intersection of government, international affairs, and leadership.

1:15 PM – 3:00 PM - Employer Networking 

All Students are welcome to attend. Students are encouraged to come and go as their class schedule allows; they are not expected to stay for the duration of the event.

Learn More/RSVP: Register via Handshake
Questions: For more information about this event, please get in touch with Michael Turner at Michael.Turner@MiamiOH.edu or 513-529-3831.

October 3-4 | Marcum Conference Center and Armstrong Student Center

GIC is co-sponsoring this inaugural conference on campus, which is designed to empower students to actively solve complex and current problems alongside influential leaders by applying the principles of human-centered leadership to create a better future. Students will develop these leadership skills through experiential case studies and partner with current leaders to work through timely and relevant problems. 

Registration is free. 

GIC is sponsoring two workshops of note to our students: 

Friday, October 3, 9:15 am | Marcum 154

"Mitigating Strategies in Global Conflicts and Challenges," Sunny J. Singh, chief of staff, Central Intelligence Agency, Office of CTO  (Sponsored by the Grayson Kirk Fund)

Friday, October 3, 1:15 pm | Marcum 158

"Solving the Challenge of Low Voter Participation: Leadership Strategies from the League of Women Voters," Jen Miller, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio

Students: if you would like to join the speakers and faculty for lunch in MacMillan 12 at 11:30 on October 3, please contact Martha Sapiro to RSVP. This is a great opportunity to get insider advice from national and state leaders!

Submit newsletter content to Elena Jackson Albarrán at albarrej@miamioh.edu

Global and Intercultural Studies Contact Info

513-529-5333

MacMillan 120

Dr. Sande Garner, Chair

garners2@miamioh.edu

Martha Sapiro, Admin Assistant

sapiromc@miamioh.edu

Denise Roell, Admin Assistant

roelled@miamioh.edu