Global Engagement Lunch & Learn
September 2, 2026: Here’s What We Know: Updates to Federal Regulations around D/S and OPT
| Past event | |
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| Target Audience | Campus and Community |
| Speakers |  Dee Stafford; Director of International Students and Scholar Services, UNCG Global Engagement Office Norma Velazquez; Senior International Student Advisor, UNCG Global Engagement Office |
| Abstract | You may have heard discussion about changes to how international students’ immigration status is recorded in the United States. But what does this mean in practice? This session will explain the concept of Duration of Status (D/S), how it currently applies to F-1 and J-1 students, and what potential changes could mean for maintaining lawful status, travel, program completion, and future immigration benefits. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the current system, explore possible impacts of the proposed changes, and learn practical steps they can take now to stay informed and prepared. |
October 7, 2026: From the Afromontane Forest to the Cup: The Origin, Genetic Resources, Conservation, and Climate Vulnerability of Ethiopian Coffee
| Registration Link | Register Today! |
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| Target Audience | Campus and Community |
| Speaker |  Dr. Kassahun Tesfaye Geletu; Professor of Genetics, Addis Ababa University, and Visiting Researcher, UNCG Department of Biology |
| Abstract | Ethiopia is the birthplace of Arabica coffee and home to the last remaining wild Arabica populations, which are essential for the future of coffee production worldwide. These unique genetic resources support coffee quality, resilience, and crop improvement. However, deforestation, expanding agriculture, and climate change are placing unprecedented pressure on both wild and cultivated coffee systems. This seminar explores Ethiopia’s coffee production, the importance of wild Arabica genetic diversity, and conservation efforts in the Kafa and Yayu UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. Join us to learn why protecting coffee at its source matters for the future of every cup. |
November 4, 2026: New International Travel Process for Faculty & Staff: Information Session for Campus Partners
| Registration link forthcoming | |
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| Target Audience | Campus |
| Speakers |  Dr. Maria Anastasiou; Global Engagement Office Melissa Skillings, MS, MBA, JD; Office of Research Compliance Dr. Ghazala Bibi; Office of the Controller |
| Abstract | UNC Greensboro has launched a new international travel process designed to better support faculty and staff traveling abroad on official university business. Join the Global Engagement Office, Office of Research Compliance and Integrity, and the Office of the Controller for a brief overview of the updated workflow and what it means for travelers and approvers. |
December 2, 2026: Find Your Meaning Here: Pastoral Skills for International Education
| Registration Link | Register Today! |
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| Target Audience | Campus-wide |
| Speakers |  Ryan Ridpath; Assistant Director of Study Abroad, UNCG Global Engagement Office |
| Abstract | This workshop is based on the presenter’s own experience of clinical pastoral education as it can be applied in a secular, intercultural space. The audience will be invited to discuss meaning-making in educational experiences, how to handle emergent student crises, and utilizing the power of the action-reflection-action model to sustain student support while avoiding burnout. The workshop will not require any discussion of individual religious traditions or spiritualties, but it encourages participants to consider their values and their students’ values in alignment with the dimensions of wellness within the Spartans Thrive QEP. Whether you work directly with students or support their success behind the scenes, this session will provide fresh perspectives, practical tools, and opportunities to reflect on how we can create more caring, connected, and thriving campus communities. |
February 17, 2027: The Role of Social Entrepreneurship in Fostering Sustainable Education
| Registration Link | Register Today! |
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| Target Audience | Campus and Community |
| Speaker |  Lovert Nde; 2023 UNCG Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program Participant |
| Abstract | What if learning could transform an entire community? This inspiring presentation shares how a Physics teacher in Cameroon went beyond the classroom to tackle real-world challenges affecting students’ success. By introducing renewable energy solutions, improving study conditions, and launching a community agribusiness initiative, students gained opportunities to connect science with everyday life. Discover how teachers can become changemakers, empower students, strengthen communities, and use education as a powerful tool for sustainable development. |
April 14, 2027: From Olduvai Gorge to the Serengeti: New Insights into Human Origins
| Registration Link | Register Today! |
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| Target Audience | Campus and Community |
| Speaker |  Dr. Charles Egeland; Associate Dean for Research, College of Arts and Sciences; Professor, Department of Anthropology |
| Abstract | Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania preserves some of the oldest archaeological sites in the world and is synonymous with the search for human origins. But how do archaeologists reconstruct events that took place nearly two million years ago? This presentation explores how research in modern African ecosystems helps answer that question. By studying where animal bones accumulate across different habitats today, researchers can better understand the processes that shape the archaeological record. These modern “bone landscapes” provide important clues for interpreting the ancient sites found at Olduvai Gorge and elsewhere in Africa. No background in archaeology is required. The session welcomes anyone interested in human origins, African landscapes, and archaeological discovery. |