Florida State University welcomed the former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs for a lecture last week, where he spoke to students, staff and faculty about the shifting global order and opportunities to shape future paradigms.  

Ambassador Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. delivered the lecture “Strategic Leadership in the 21st Century: How You Can Shape the Emerging Global Order” March 26 in the Globe Auditorium as part of the Center for Global Engagement’s Engage Your World Speaker Series and the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series. 

“I wanted to speak to all of you, especially as students, about the kind of world that you’re going to be sailing into and the kind of impact you can have in that world,” Shannon said. 

Shannon’s diplomatic career spans nearly 35 years, from 1984 until his retirement in February 2018. Before his term as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, he held positions including U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs.  

The Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the third-ranking position at the State Department, reports to the Secretary of State and is responsible for directing the day-to-day operations at the Department of State, including managing international crises and U.S. foreign policy. Shannon served in this role from 2016 until his retirement in 2018. While in this role, Shannon helped manage the 2017 presidential transition and led bilateral and multilateral foreign policymaking and implementation. 

Having served in multiple presidential administrations and embassies, Shannon offered insight into what he calls a “transformative” global era and challenged audience members to consider their place within it.  

“The nature of this moment means that we are capable of changing the world around us,” he said. “We’re capable of rethinking our national political purpose, but also how we project ourselves into the world.” 

Shannon argued that while states are central to the global order, societies and cultures will play an increasing role in defining the future.  

“A country like the United States, which is really one of the few global countries in the world, not just cosmopolitan, but global, is uniquely positioned to take advantage of this kind of environment and uniquely positioned to be able to communicate beyond our frontiers,” he said. “Not just government to government, but society to society and people to people.”  

Shannon also cited technology as the medium for driving global engagements, maintaining that the ability to evolve with these changes will determine state success. 

“With the kinds of dramatic technological advances we’re going to see today, lack of access or inequality is going to become a defining feature of almost all political dialogue and engagement,” he said. “The successful politicians and the successful countries are going to be those that empower societies, empower individuals, and that open access to the kinds of changes that we’re going to see in the world.” 

He emphasized that future generations have a responsibility to both answer and shape the world’s shifting demands.  

“It doesn’t matter where you are. You could be a hermit living in a cave with a goat, and the world is going to come and find you, and it’s going to ask you to participate in this larger effort,” he said. “You are going to be called upon. People are going to want to know what you think. People are going to want to know how things should be resolved. And this is an opportunity that is rarely given.” 

After the lecture, Shannon sat down with Mark Schlakman, the senior program director for the FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, to answer questions about current affairs and the United States’ interests. 

“I want you to understand that there is a significant shift taking place in how the president and his party are thinking about the U.S. position in the world, and what it is we need to be focused on, and how we need to be protecting it,” Shannon said. 

Shannon’s lecture served as both a lesson and a roadmap to students as they prepare to navigate an interconnected world.  

“This is not a time to be fearful,” he said. “This is not a time to be doubtful. This is a time to understand that we are in a moment of change and that this change is going to be profound. It’s not only going to be profound for our nation. It’s going to be profound for how we relate to the world and therefore, how the world progresses.” 

For more information about the Center for Global Engagement, visit their website at cge.fsu.edu. To learn more about the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, visit their website at cahr.fsu.edu. For more information about the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, visit their website at cosspp.fsu.edu.  

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Last month, Florida State University’s Ukraine Task Force (UTF) welcomed the president of one of the oldest and most respected universities in Ukraine to discuss areas of collaboration and sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two institutions. 

Serhiy Kvit, president of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA), was on FSU’s Tallahassee campus Nov. 16-22 to deliver several lectures and meet with administrators to discuss possible areas of cooperation. Kvit also met with Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs James Clark to sign an MOU between FSU and NaUKMA to expand global connections and outreach.  

“It’s a really important part of Florida State University’s efforts to reach out to the world and be part of our global community in the education sector,” said Steve McDowell, FSU’s assistant provost for International Initiatives and interim dean of The Graduate School. “Florida State University is investing, and has invested for a long time, in being a global university.” 

Established in 1991 but with roots to 1615, NaUKMA is one of the few universities in Ukraine that offers bilingual instruction in English and Ukrainian and internationally recognized diplomas. Through collaboration with FSU, the two universities are merging global goals and furthering these international endeavors. 

Housed in FSU’s Learning Systems Institute (LSI), the UTF was established in 2022 as part of the university’s broader internationalization strategy and aims to forge partnerships between FSU and Ukrainian scholars and educate the FSU community about Ukraine. 

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Florida State University will host Albie Sachs, renowned human rights activist, writer and former justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the week of Oct. 27, for an event sharing his experience as an anti-apartheid freedom fighter and a pivotal figure in South African history.

The event will include a film screening, lecture, book signing and more.

Born and raised in South Africa under an apartheid government, which maintained a system of legalized segregation, Sachs’ notable career defending those charged under repressive security laws and statutes led to him being appointed to South Africa’s new Constitutional Court, where he helped rewrite the country’s bill of rights and was a key part of the post-apartheid transition.

“Albie has devoted his life to establishing and preserving democracy, equality and justice,” said Matthew Goff, distinguished research professor of religion, director of graduate studies in the Department of Religion, and the event’s co-organizer. “He showed his commitment to these ideas in a way that represents the importance of the values we respect and honor.”

Sachs earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Cape Town in 1956 and started practicing as an advocate at the Cape Bar at the age of 21. While defending others, Sachs was incarcerated without trial and placed in solitary confinement by the security branch of the South African Police.

“Albie Sachs is a living legend. Rather than seek a violent retribution, he has devoted his life to changing the fundamental conditions for democratic life in South Africa.”

— Joseph Hellweg, associate professor of religion, event co-organizer

In 1966, Sachs was forced to flee his home country and went into exile in England. A few years later, he received his doctorate focused on the South African legal system from the University of Sussex in 1971. He then moved to Maputo, Mozambique, in 1977 to become a law professor at Eduardo Mondlane University.

After surviving an explosion in 1988 from a bomb placed in his car by South African security agents — which caused him to lose an arm and the sight in one eye — he devoted himself full-time to building a new democratic constitution for South Africa.

“Albie Sachs is a living legend,” said associate professor of religion and event co-organizer Joseph Hellweg. “Rather than seek a violent retribution, he has devoted his life to changing the fundamental conditions for democratic life in South Africa.”

Sachs returned to South Africa in 1990 and continued his work with the Constitutional Committee and the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress. He was appointed to the new Constitutional Court by Nelson Mandela after the country’s first democratic election in 1994. “Soft Vengeance,” a term coined by Sachs and the title of his documentary film, represents his efforts to eschew violence and rebuild a peaceful and just South Africa post-apartheid.

“For Albie, revenge meant reconstructing a society founded on laws that represented everyone,” Goff said. “As a judge, he helped write the Bill of Rights and tackled very technical questions about how to institutionalize justice. ‘Soft Vengeance’ means acting in the interest of all.”

The Askew Student Life Cinema will screen “Soft Vengeance: Albie Sachs and the New South Africa,” chronicling Sachs’ fight to end apartheid, on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 5-7 p.m. Refreshments will be available at 4:30 p.m. Afterward, executive director of the FSU Center for the Advancement of Human rights and Associate Professor of Criminology Terry Coonan and Professor of Philosophy Simon May will lead a discussion session with Sachs.

On Thursday, Oct. 30, Sachs will deliver “Presidents and Power: How South Africa’s Highest Court Held Nelson Mandela and Two Other Presidents Accountable to the Constitution,” as part of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy Ruth K. and Shepard Broad International Lecture Series. The lecture will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. at the College of Medicine Auditorium. A reception will precede the talk at 4:30 p.m. and a book signing will follow. Both events are free and open to the public.

“Albie wasn’t just an observer — he was a participant in the events he’ll be speaking about, and he played a central role in the post-apartheid transition,” Hellweg said. “His visit underscores the importance of international studies at American universities. Students will be enriched by an introduction to another English-speaking part of the world that has a very different experience of democracy than the United States, one from which we can learn.”

Sachs’ visit is sponsored by FSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, the FSU Department of Religion, the FSU Department of Philosophy, the FSU College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, the FSU College of Law, the FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, and the Office of the Provost.

Please contact Matthew Goff, mgoff@fsu.edu, or Joseph Hellweg, jhellweg@fsu.edu, with questions.

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Florida State University has named its largest cohort of Tyler Center for Global Studies Fellows, awarding nine students for their academic ambition and global curiosity. 

The award, sponsored by the national Tyler Center for Global Studies, is one of many among the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement’s IDEA Grants program, which funds original research projects and creative endeavors for students of all majors. 

“These fellowships combine undergraduate research, global learning and mentorship,” said Latika Young, executive director of the Tyler Center. “We are proud to offer these opportunities to our fellows, who grow as researchers and global citizens while preparing for future careers.”  

Hosted and coordinated by FSU, the Tyler Center was established through a generous gift from the Tyler Foundation in 2022. The goal was to cultivate a community of global scholars who shape the future through research, innovation and collaboration.  

With FSU as the coordinating institution, the Tyler Center acts as a network of schools, connecting undergraduate students across the country with goals of pursuing research to opportunities for global inquiry. This year’s fellows traveled to countries across Europe, South America, Africa and the Caribbean, exploring topics from human rights and migration to coral reef health and art history. 

The Tyler Center will host its second annual Virtual Summit from 4-6 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 20. During this online event, Tyler Fellows from each institution will present their research findings and experiences abroad with the wider Tyler Center community. Afterward, a moderated Q&A panel will invite questions from the audience. Those wishing to attend must register for the Virtual Summit by the end of the day Monday, Nov. 10. Register here.

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This summer, Florida State University students participated in prestigious academic programs at the University of Oxford in England, continuing FSU’s tradition of global engagement and interdisciplinary learning.  

Honors students at the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights 

Eight students from the FSU Honors Program participated in the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights workshop, joining peers from around the world to explore the theme “Human Rights and New Technology.” This marked the fourth consecutive year FSU has sent students to the Consortium, with this year’s group being the largest yet. 

The workshop, which took place July 6-12, focused on the role of technology in modern society and explored the urgent, exciting and concerning issues around changing technological landscapes and how this influences day-to-day life. 

Throughout the week, students engaged in discussions on the ethical and societal impacts of emerging technologies.  

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A College of Social Sciences and Public Policy student has been named Florida State University’s 2025 Humanitarian of the Year, one of 16 students nominated for the award.

Arantza Caudillo-Alvarez was recognized as FSU’s 38th Humanitarian of the Year for her commitment to human rights work.

Launched in 1988, the Humanitarian of the Year award underscores FSU’s commitment to making a significant contribution to the public good. Each academic college selects one student as its Humanitarian of the Year and a university-wide committee selects one student who exemplifies a dedication to service as the institution’s overall Humanitarian of the Year.

“Through partnerships with public and private sectors, Florida State University seeks to enrich scholarship, research and creative activity while enhancing curriculum, teaching and learning,” said Brandon Bowden, associate vice president for Student Affairs. “This engagement prepares students to become educated and engaged citizens, strengthens democratic values and promotes civic responsibility.”

Eager to understand human rights work beyond the classroom, Caudillo-Alvarez interned with the International Rescue Committee in the summer of 2023, shadowing caseworkers and translating for Spanish-speaking clients in the anti-trafficking program. She later joined FSU’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights as a legal assistant, where she continued to work on pro-bono immigration cases, including adjustment of status for refugees, asylum applications and temporary protected status filings.

For her honors in the major thesis, Caudillo-Alvarez engaged in three months of research in the Eastern Mountain Range of Hidalgo, Mexico, through the nonprofit Psychology and Human Rights. While there, she facilitated sewing workshops for the women of the community, a nod to her grandmother, a seamstress who she spent many summers sewing with.

The 15 honorees and overall awardee will be honored for their contributions and efforts at the annual Leadership Awards Night hosted by the Division of Student Affairs.

The 2025 Humanitarian of the Year Honorees are:

• Rebecca Chuhak, Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences
• Amber Wilkinson, College of Applied Studies
• Maiya Johnson, College of Arts & Sciences
• Hannah Harring, College of Business
• Paige Elkin, College of Communication & Information
• Simran “Simmi” Purohit, College of Criminology & Criminal Justice
• Cate Calvert, College of Fine Arts
• Emelia LaCognata, College of Medicine
• Finley Stein, College of Motion Picture Arts
• Riley Murray, College of Music
• Nikki Fitzgerald, College of Nursing
• Claire Sciandra, College of Social Work
• Jaclyn Madson, Dedman College of Hospitality
• Saiabhinav Devulapalli, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
• Lauren Gaston, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship

Learn more at thecenter.fsu.edu/HOY.

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Florida State University’s Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and the FSU Middle East Center  (MEC) will host the 16th annual Middle East Film Festival, providing insight into international cinema and sharing perspectives rarely seen in mainstream media.

The festival, co-sponsored by MEC and the FSU Student Life Cinema, will feature four film screenings each Thursday over four weeks beginning Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Student Life Cinema (SLC) on FSU’s Tallahassee campus. All films screen at 6 p.m. and screenings are free and open to the public.

• Jan. 30: “Far from the Nile” (Egypt/U.S.), directed by Sherief Elkatsha

• Feb. 6: “Dream’s Gate” (Iran/France/Norway), directed by Negin Ahmadi

• Feb. 13: “Batata” (Canada/Lebanon), directed by Noura Kevorkian

• Feb. 20: “Inshallah Boy” (Jordan), directed by Amjad Al Rasheed

“The festival has become a highly anticipated event in Tallahassee,” said Zeina Schlenoff, director of the FSU Middle East Center and teaching professor of Arabic. “It is a highly informative occasion for our FSU students and the wider community to learn about this diverse, cultured and fascinating region of the world. Our films represent a broad perspective on the socio-political realities of the recent Middle East.”

Now in its 16th year, the event plays an important role in promoting international programs and education at FSU. Schlenoff, who has been at the festival’s helm since its inception in 2009, also hopes the exposure to these lesser-known films will encourage meaningful conversation among members of the FSU community.

“All the films have something heartfelt and personal to say,” Schlenoff said. “They are stories of family, adventure, hope, persistence and inspiration. Each year, the festival offers a selection of food, entertainment and discussions to complete each evening’s experience, and this year is no exception.”

Prior to the opening film, “Far from the Nile,” participants are invited to the festival’s kickoff celebration 5:30-6 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 30, at the SLC. During this time, Middle East student organizations will showcase their organizations and programs. The film will be followed by a reception featuring Middle Eastern food catered by The Sweet Shop Café and Lounge, with entertainment provided by the FSU Belly Dancers.

The festivities extend beyond the first event, and each screening will be accompanied by a unique addition. The second film, “Dream’s Gate,” will be introduced by Professor Emeritus Peter Garretson, who taught Middle Eastern history at FSU, and free popcorn will be provided.

In collaboration with FSU’s third annual Festival of the Creative Arts, the screening of “Batata” will be followed by a roundtable led by Schlenoff; Teaching Professor of Arabic Zafer Lababid; Executive Director of FSU’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights and Associate Professor of criminology in the College of Law Terry Coonan; and CAHR Senior Program Director Mark Schlakman. Following the festival’s final film, “Inshallah Boy,” MEC will serve baklava and tea.

“Not only does the festival provide us an opportunity to highlight the Middle East on campus, but each new film also inspires an appreciation of the talent, creativity and dedication of Middle Eastern writers, directors, actors and producers,” Schlenoff said.

For more information about this year’s film festival, visit mec.fsu.edu or the center’s Facebook page.

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Arantza Caudillo Alvarez’s time at Florida State University has been shaped by her experience as an immigrant and her desire to bring more awareness to the experiences of people in the Global South.

She is an intern at the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights (CAHR), an FSU organization that aims to help advance the human rights movement by fostering scholarship at the university and supporting non-governmental organizations that engage in such work. There, Caudillo Alvarez translates legal documents and completes immigration applications.

Caudillo Alvarez is president of After They Arrive (ATA) a student-led organization dedicated to easing the resettlement process for refugees and immigrants in the Tallahassee area. Through ATA, Caudillo Alvarez organizes community events with local organizations to create a supportive community that promotes successful integration into life in Tallahassee.

She is also involved in the Honors in the Major Program and has received grants, including the IDEA Grant and the Social Science Scholars Program grant. Her research focuses on gender-based violence against Indigenous women in rural Mexico and their resilience strategies. She aims to highlight human rights violations in the Global South.

Why did you choose Florida State University?

I chose to attend FSU because of its brick campus, green spaces and its vibrant student life. However, its central location and FSU’s relationship with Florida’s government and Legislature weighed the most in my decision. I am passionate about social justice and community change, and I believe that proximity to these institutions allows me to participate in activities related to my interests and work for effective change.

What academic achievement are you most proud of?

My Honors in the Major thesis on the reconfiguring social roles of Indigenous Otomi, Tepehua and Nahua women and their violent experiences is one of my most significant achievements at FSU because I contributed to the literature of a region overlooked for centuries. I lived in the Otomi-Tepehua region in the state of Hidalgo for three months, in the municipality of Tenango de Doria, which has limited resources and infrastructure. I interviewed 25 women who spoke or identified as Otomi, Tepehua or Nahua, the three ethnic groups in the region. I also worked with an organization called PSYDEH, which focuses on the psychology and human rights of Indigenous women in Mexico. I traveled with PSYDEH to nine communities every week to meet with Indigenous women, facilitate workshops and help the artisan cooperatives. I met dozens of people who taught me about indigeneity and rural life. I hope my research project places Indigenous voices at the forefront and in equal standing in an international arena to develop sustainable change in the region.

How has being at FSU helped you with your research?

My research project is a culmination of my academic achievements. I have received support from faculty members and scholarship programs. As a dedicated student with a 3.9 GPA, I prioritize building relationships with my professors. So, when I decided to pursue a thesis, I had the support of Joseph Hellweg, associate professor in the Department of Religion; Christina Owens, associate professor in the University Honors Program; Juan David Irigoyen, scholarship director for the International Affairs program; and Anasa Hicks, associate professor in the Department of History. Their guidance allowed me to develop strong research proposals and methodology and obtain funding from the university. I received grants from the Social Science Scholars Program, the IDEA Grant program and the International Study Program. Florida State University’s faculty and programs supported my research endeavors and my passion for social change for women in the Global South.

How is your community service affected by your experiences as an immigrant?

I center my community service and leadership efforts around immigration and refugee work. As a Mexican immigrant, I want to contribute to my community and help ease the adaptation process for others. I pursue this work as an intern at the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights and as the president of the registered student organization After They Arrive. At the CAHR, I fill out immigration applications and perform legal translations. As president of ATA, I organize community service events, collaborating with local non-profits to aid in the sustainable adaptation of immigrants in the Tallahassee area. My thesis, internship and role as president of a student organization encompass community service and improving local communities. I hope my research will prompt more academic research in the region, pressure government officials to fulfill their citizens’ needs and bring Indigenous voices and struggles to the forefront of the international arena. As an intern at CAHR, my work contributes to the successful resettlement of hundreds of families so they can call Tallahassee home. My role as president of ATA allows me to make Florida State University a more welcoming space for migration issues and serve as a liaison between students and community service work.

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The fall semester may have already started, but some Florida State University students are still thinking about their global adventures during the dog days of summer.

From Kosovo to Ireland and Italy to Croatia to right here in Tallahassee, these FSU students conducted research while participating in internships, volunteering, teaching, travel and more.

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Florida State University’s Ukraine Task Force (UTF) hosted Andrii Paziuk, a professor of international and comparative law at the National Aviation University in Kyiv, Ukraine, on campus June 6-12. The goal of the visit was to connect with colleagues, establish relationships for future collaborations and discuss future opportunities for students in Ukraine.

Paziuk specializes in cybersecurity, technology and human rights law and has been a legal adviser to the Government of Ukraine for the past 15 years. He currently advises the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the National Security and Defense Council.

Established in 2022, the UTF was initially created to forge partnerships between FSU and Ukrainian scholars and to educate the FSU community about Ukraine. It falls under the purview of the Learning Systems Institute (LSI), which focuses on how individuals and organizations perform complex tasks and how to help them achieve their performance goals.

Researchers at LSI are currently working on projects in Malawi, Egypt, Rwanda and Zambia.

“This program provides opportunities for Florida State University and for counterparts to exchange and collaborate on research projects and enrich each other with knowledge, skills and shared experiences,” Paziuk said.

As director of FSU’s UTF, Vilma Fuentes is responsible for facilitating connections between Ukrainian universities and FSU faculty through LSI. She organized Paziuk’s visit.

“Dr. Paziuk is engaged in practical, cutting-edge work that explores the intersection between law, technology and international relations,” Fuentes said. “His visit has provided us with an opportunity to see how different parts of the university can collaborate more robustly with each other and with Ukrainian academics.”

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Over the summer, five students in Florida State University’s Honors Program participated in a workshop at the University of Oxford in England addressing the impact of technology on human rights.  

During the Human Rights and New Technology workshop, hosted by the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights July 4-8, students attended lectures and spoke with leading scholars from an array of fields including artificial intelligence, media, law, and philosophy.  

The FSU contingent included Ross Moret, a faculty member in FSU’s Honors Program, and honors students Caroline Owen, Zach Helms, Kayla McLoone, Nadia Rassech and Delaney Williams. This was the second cohort of FSU Honors students to attend a summer workshop hosted by the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights. 

The trip was sponsored by FSU’s Honors Program, with additional student support provided by FSU’s Center for the Advancement of Human Rights.  

The FSU Honors Program is invested in providing enriching experiences that empower student-scholars who want to develop as campus influencers, thought-leaders, and informed global citizens. In addition to offering a slate of interdisciplinary human rights courses at FSU, the Center provides pro bono legal services for immigrants and refugees, and it partners with non-governmental organizations to advance human rights around the world. 

“Oxford Consortium for Human Rights workshops are among the best educational experiences I have ever been a part of,” Moret said. “Traveling abroad, learning from and conversing with globally recognized scholars, forming a community with students from around the world, and developing and presenting a research project in that context is profoundly transformative. I’m deeply grateful that the Honors Program and the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights made this opportunity possible for our students.”  

Students studied technological revolutions and their effect on traditional human rights such as health, privacy, free speech, and free association. They also offered a research presentation focused on new technology and human rights in Florida.    

“I felt motivated to be part of the Oxford Workshop because it offered a learning experience that was almost completely different from what I had been taught in my classes,” said Helms, who’s double majoring in psychology and criminology. “Being able to learn about human rights from people currently working to improve them across the world is an opportunity you just can’t ignore.” 

While all student participants were enriched by the experience, they each took away something different. 

“I found the consortium to be personally rewarding,” said McLoone, a senior majoring in international affairs and Middle Eastern studies. “I was not only able to apply what I’ve learned at FSU, but also my lived experiences with all the layers of my identity — as a woman, being Filipino-American and so much more. I now feel more empowered by my identity and life experiences to inform how I make a difference.”

Students also enjoyed a tour of Oxford’s captivating campus and the surrounding areas.  

“My favorite part of the trip was the day that we spent at Ditchley Park, an old English estate in Oxfordshire that has been converted into an international think tank,” said Williams, a senior who is pursuing a degree in international affairs and political science. “During World War II, this is where Winston Churchill would meet American officials to discuss our involvement in the conflict and it remains a place for friends from other countries to get together and discuss issues.” 

The focus on the intersection of human rights and technology was a highlight for Rassech, an aspiring international refugee law professional currently double majoring in international affairs and Middle Eastern studies.    

“The technological revolutions’ impact on the human rights field makes this workshop a necessity for developing a new generation of human rights advocates,” she said.  

The 2023 cohort aims to continue the dialogue on FSU’s campus and will host a talk by Professor Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, chair of the Department of Justice and Law at Quinnipiac University and executive director of the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights.  

The talk will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, in the Great Hall (fourth floor) of the Honors, Scholars, and Fellow’s building. Professor Gadkar-Wilcox will discuss the life and work of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a pivotal figure in the drafting of the Indian Constitution and in enshrining its provisions for ensuring both civil/political and social/economic rights. The entire FSU campus community is welcome to attend. For more information, visit calendar.fsu.edu.

To learn more about the FSU Honors Program, visit honors.fsu.edu. For more information about the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights, visit cahr.fsu.edu. 

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