View in Browser

Maintaining Global Dialogue

Newsletter of UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives

Issue 32 – Summer 2025

GPII Upcoming Events

Mandell Distinguished Speaker Series: Museums, Science, Nature, and the Future

Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 3:30 – 5:00 P.M. EST

Fairwinds Alumni Center

In-Person Event

UCF Office of Global Perspectives and International Initiatives (GPII) is pleased to invite you for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Kirk Johnson, renowned paleobotanist and the Sant Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, home to the largest natural history collection in the world. In this captivating talk, Museums, Science, Nature, and the Future, Dr. Johnson will explore the essential role museums play not only as guardians of history but also in advancing scientific understanding. Johnson will take us on a journey of tracing the story of our planet through time, and how the intersection of museums, science, and nature offers vital insights for understanding our present and illuminating the path ahead for navigating the future.

This event is part of the Lester N. Mandell Endowed Distinguished Lecture Series and hosted by UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives (GPII).

GPII News

UCF Global Perspectives at Tbilisi Regional Forum for Sustainable Development

GPII Executive Director David Dumke and Assistant Director Dr. Mirvate El Jerdi had the honor of speaking on the preliminary panel at the Tbilisi Regional Forum for Sustainable Development 2025, the largest in the forum’s history. This dynamic platform brought together global leaders for vital discussions on peace and resilience. The event opened with remarks from Georgia’s Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, followed by a keynote address by Jeffrey Sachs.

The preliminary panel, titled The Return of History: Georgia in the Multipolar World, explored the challenges small states face in maintaining sovereignty amid shifting global power dynamics. Dumke and Dr. El Jerdi shared the stage with Ambassador Jack Matlock, former U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union, and other distinguished researchers and academics.

This experience strongly aligns with the mission of UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives, where we aim to unlock human potential and advance knowledge through research, preparing students to address pressing global challenges.

Global Insights on Societal Divisions: UCF GPII & The Carter Center Collaboration

UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives (GPII) was hosted by The Carter Center for a key discussion on "Lessons from Divided Societies for the U.S." The event featured a panel of experts including David Dumke, GPII Executive Director; Rev. Dr. Gary Mason, Founder and director of Rethinking Conflict; Owen Kirby, International Republican Institute former Regional Director for MENA and former Director of Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI); and Dr. Rana Shabb, Carter Center Associate Director for the Middle East. The panelists discussed conflict resolution strategies and how insights from global experiences can inform U.S. efforts to navigate societal challenges.

UCF Global Perspectives is honored to work alongside The Carter Center’s Conflict Resolution Program, an institution that has been a pioneer in the field of peace and conflict resolution. The Carter Center, founded by the 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter, continues to lead the way in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The center’s legacy of post-presidency humanitarian work is exemplified through its lasting efforts in both international diplomacy and domestic social issues.

The day’s discussions further underscored the importance of addressing deep societal divisions, an issue that remains relevant in the U.S. and beyond.

From GPII to Global Diplomacy: UCF Intern Serves with U.S. State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol

On January 26, 2025, UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives (GPII) intern Abigail English was sworn in as a State Department Student Intern, selected for a distinguished opportunity with the Office of the Chief of Protocol. This prestigious office plays a crucial role in advising senior officials, including the President and Secretary of State, on diplomatic standards and foreign affairs. It also manages the welcoming of foreign dignitaries to promote international relations, often working closely with the White House on major events.

Few experiences outside of Washington, D.C., offer such direct exposure to global diplomacy. During her internship, Abigail met more than 120 foreign ambassadors and heads of state, witnessing historic moments unfold daily. This experience followed a successful fall fellowship at GPII in 2024, which served as the most impactful preparation for 10 weeks of state visits, White House engagements, and hosting duties at Blair House, the President’s Guest House.

Reflecting on her experience, Abigail shared, “Through GPII, I gained firsthand experience engaging in policy discussions with diplomats like Ambassador David Welch and former diplomat Gretchen Gerwe Welch. I also received invaluable mentorship and professional development, equipping me with the tools necessary for high-level diplomacy.” Now a senior preparing for the Foreign Service Exam, Abigail credits GPII with providing the foundational skills essential to a future in public service.

GPII Fellow Wins Best Paper Award

We are incredibly proud to announce that GPII Conflict Transformation Initiative Fellow during Spring 2025, Farah Shah, has won the Best Paper Award at the 32nd Annual Illinois State University Conference for Students of Political Science. Her paper, Terrorism in the Age of Globalization and Digitization, was recognized by faculty as the most promising student submission this year.

Farah’s research explores how globalization and digitization shape the strategies of terrorist organizations and global responses. Faculty were impressed by her innovative approach and depth, encouraging her to revise the paper for submission to an academic journal.

This achievement highlights the vital role of mentorship at GPII, where we support students in honing their research skills and providing guidance to help them excel academically. Farah’s success is a reflection of the collaborative environment we foster at GPII, empowering students to thrive in their studies and beyond.

UCF Puerto Rico Research Hub: Advancing Disaster Resilience and Community Engagement throughout the Summer Semester

The Puerto Rico Research Hub team, led by Director Dr. Fernando I. Rivera and Postdoctoral Scholar Dr. Sara Belligoni, traveled early May to Puerto Rico to present the findings of the Puerto Ricans in Florida Survey. During this trip, they held a series of presentations at prominent institutions, including the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez, University of Puerto Rico–Aguadilla, University of Puerto Rico–Rio Piedras Graduate School of Planning, and Albizu University, where they engaged with local scholars and researchers about the survey’s key insights.

Building on this momentum, Dr. Belligoni and Graduate Research Assistant Felix Martinez-Melendez shifted their focus to a critical aspect of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure: flood risk and energy security. They engaged with key stakeholders from the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust; the University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras’ Graduate School of Planning; and the Puerto Rico Planning Board. The discussions centered on strategies for flood risk management, as well as the development of energy solutions for medically vulnerable individuals during power outages, a growing concern in the region.

The team’s efforts culminated in a significant milestone during the Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop, held in Broomfield, Colorado. There, Dr. Rivera, Dr. Belligoni, and Undergraduate Research Assistants Deyaneira Hernandez Mendez and Elian Morales presented a poster that introduced the newly launched Puerto Rico Disaster Research Network (PR-DRN). Officially launched on June 1st, 2025 to coincide with the start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, the PR-DRN marks a pivotal step toward strengthening disaster resilience in Puerto Rico. To learn more about the PR-DRN, please visit: Puerto Rico Disaster Research Network (PR-DRN) - Puerto Rico Research Hub.

UCF Deepens Partnership with AUC to Support Tourism Sector in Egypt

David Dumke, Executive Director of Global Perspectives and International Initiatives (GPII), and Dr. Youcheng Wang, the William C. Peeper Preeminent Chair Professor in Destination Marketing at UCF, recently concluded a strategic visit to Egypt, where they participated in a series of meetings hosted by the American University in Cairo (AUC).

The visit focused on expanding collaboration between UCF and AUC to provide training and support for tourism-related projects, an essential component of Egypt’s economic development. By aligning academic expertise with industry needs, both institutions aim to advance workforce development, applied research, and sustainable growth within the tourism sector.

Special thanks to Nancy and Jonathan Wolf for their continued support. The Nancy and Jonathan Wolf Global Academic Initiative has been instrumental in strengthening the partnership between UCF and AUC and advancing shared goals in education and professional development.

This collaboration exemplifies UCF’s role as a next-generation public research university committed to innovation, inclusion, and solving global challenges through strategic, community-centered partnerships.

Global Perspectives TV Show

WUCF TV's Global Perspectives Hosts Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy and Congressman Dennis A. Ross

David Dumke sits down with former members of Congress, Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and Congressman Dennis A. Ross (R-FL) to discuss the current state of politics. Both former members now spend a portion of their time discussing government with students and finding important trends with young voters.

Start Watching

WUCF TV's Global Perspectives Hosts Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of ORF America

Katie Coronado, filling in for David Dumke, talks with author & columnist Dhruva Jaishankar to discuss India’s relations with the United States. Jaishankar is the Executive Director of ORF America, which he helped establish in 2020. He is also a Non-Resident Fellow with the Lowy Institute in Australia and writes a regular column for the Hindustan Times. He is the author of Vishwa Shastra (2024) and has been published in several books and policy reports.

Start Watching