Distinguished Speakers and GRCC Geography
2009-2024
Faculty and students in the GRCC Geography program have played a significant role in delivering lectures, arranging roundtable discussions, and hosting visiting speakers since 2009. Many speakers invited to Grand Rapids are sponsored by the International Geographical Honor Society and the American Association of Geographers as part of the Visiting Geographical Scientist Program. Since the program’s inception, GRCC has hosted far more Visiting Geographical Scientists than any other academic institution in North America. Since 2022, these distinguished geographers have delivered lectures as part of the World Affairs Council Great Decisions Lecture Series, which has gained recognition for being America’s largest discussion program on world affairs.
*Debarchana Ghosh, Associate Professor of Geography, University of Connecticut.
A Geographic Perspective on Global to Local Health Disparities
19 March 2024, World Affairs Council Great Decisions Lecture Series
*Brittany Cook, Assistant Professor of Geography, Louisiana State University.
The Geopolitics of Hunger and Global Food Production
20 February 2023, World Affairs Council Great Decisions Lecture Series
*Jennifer Devine, Associate Professor of Geography, Texas State University.
Conservation on Drugs: Challenges and Solutions
21 February 2022, World Affairs Council Great Decisions Series and GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Lecture Series
*Lindsay Naylor, Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Delaware.
Fair Rebels? Fair Trade in Movement and the Possibilities of Being in Common
19 March 2019, GRCC Social Sciences Lecture Series on Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Lecture Series
Cadey Korson, Lecturer in Human Geography, Massey University.
Separatist Movements and the Quest for Independence: A Case Study in the South Pacific.
6 December 2018, World Affairs Council Fall Lecture Series & GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Lecture Series
*Jonnell Robinson, Assistant Professor of Geography and Director of Community Geography, Syracuse University.
Points Lines, and People: Connecting People and Place Through Community Geography
27 March 2018, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Lecture Series
Desiree Cormier, Senior Director, Albright Stonebridge Group (formerly U.S. Department of State).
South Africa at a Crossroads: Implications for U.S. – South Africa Relations
19 March 2018, World Affairs Council Great Decisions Series
*Karen Culcasi, Associate Professor of Geography, West Virginia University
The Syrian Refugee Crisis: Syrian Women Refugees in Jordan
29 March 2017, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Lecture Series
*Maria Fadiman, Associate Professor of Geography, Florida Atlantic University
People and Plants: Conservation of Forests and Cultures
11 April 2016, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Lecture Series.
Jessie Clark, Assistant Professor of Geography, University of Nevada, Reno
Our Allies in the Middle East: The Future of Kurdistan
29 February 2016, World Affairs Council Great Decisions Series
Anne Bonds, Assistant Professor of Geography and Urban Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Colorblindness and Geographies of Racial Violence
26 March 2015, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference
Courtney Gallaher, Assistant Professor of Geography and Women’s Studies, Northern Illinois University
Linking Environmental Justice and Community Empowerment through Urban Agriculture in Southern/Eastern Africa
24 March 2015, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference
*Marie Price, Professor of Geography and International Affairs, George Washington University
Diffusion, Deflection and Diversity: A Geographic Perspective on Contemporary Migration
23 March 2015, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference
Becky McDonald, President, Women at Risk International, Amanda Colegrove, Coalition Organizer, Coalition Against Trafficking & Exploitation, Crime Victim Advocacy Center, St. Louis, Missouri, Judy Emmons, Senator, Michigan 33rd District
Human Trafficking: In Everyone’s Backyard
23 February 2015, World Affairs Council Great Decisions Series
Alicia Decker, Assistant Professor of African Studies and Women’s Studies, Purdue University
Recalling the Legacy of Amin: Ethnicity, Gender, and Religion in the Shaping of Memory in Uganda
19 March 2014, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference
*Caroline Faria, Assistant Professor of Geography, Florida International University
Styling a Nation: Fear and Desire in the Southeast Sudanese Beauty Trade
18 March 2014, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference
Yael Aronoff, Serling Chair in Israel Studies and Associate Professor in International Relations at James Madison College, Michigan State University
U.S.-Israeli Relations in a Changing Middle East
24 February 2014, World Affairs Council Great Decisions Series
Michael DeVivo, Professor of Geography, Grand Rapids Community College, Gerald Nyambane, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Davenport University, and Deborah Steketee, Associate Professor of Sustainable Business, Aquinas College
Out of Africa: Food Security and Water Shortages
17 February 2014, World Affairs Council Great Decisions Series
Leon Yacher, Professor of Geography, Southern Connecticut State University
The Role of Journalism in Post-Soviet Central Asian Countries
21 October 2013, UN 2013–Grand Rapids: A Symposium to Commemorate the Founding of the United Nations
Yael Aronoff, Serling Chair in Israel Studies and Associate Professor in International Relations at James Madison College, Michigan State University
In Pursuit of Peace: Israel and the Palestinian Authority
21 October 2013, UN 2013–Grand Rapids: A Symposium to Commemorate the Founding of the United Nations
Michael DeVivo, Professor of Geography, Grand Rapids Community College
Global Citizenship and Higher Education (begins at the one-hour mark)
21 October 2013, UN 2013–Grand Rapids: A Symposium to Commemorate the Founding of the United Nations
Gordan Vurusic, Associate Professor of Political Science, Grand Rapids Community College, Keith St. Clair, Professor of Political Science, Grand Rapids Community College, and Joel Westra, Associate Professor of Political Science, Calvin College
The United Nations: Retrospect and Prospect
21 October 2013, UN 2013–Grand Rapids: A Symposium to Commemorate the Founding of the United Nations
Alyson Mabie, President, Lambda Upsilon Chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, Grand Rapids Community College, Heather Pribble, Secretary, Lambda Upsilon Chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, Grand Rapids Community College, Tony Baker, Director, Ferris State University Center of Latin Studies, Rosa Fraga, Principal of San Juan Diego Academy, John Matias, Community School Coordinator, Arbor Circle, at Burton Elementary and Middle School, Martha Gonzalez-Cortes, CEO, Hispanic Center of Western Michigan
Hispanic Education in Western Michigan
27 March 2013, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference
*Rebecca Sheehan, Associate Professor of Geography, Oklahoma State University
Identity, Tourism, and Racialization in New Orlean’s Jackson Square
25 March 2013, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference
*Kate Swanson, Assistant Professor of Geography, San Diego State University
Exploring Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Childhood in the Andes: A Geographical Perspective
29 March 2012, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference
Brian Woodin, Adrienne Ozinga, Kara Apodaca, Sarah Nusbaum, and Lindsey Harris, Lambda Upsilon Chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, Grand Rapids Community College
Field Studies in Geography at GRCC: Ethnicity and Food in Western Michigan and Searching for Understanding South Africa
27 March 2012, GRCC Race, Ethnicity, and Identity Conference
*Leon Yacher, Professor of Geography, Southern Connecticut State University
Ethnicity, Settlement, Conflict and Reconciliation in Central Asia: A Geographical Perspective
7 April 2011, GRCC Race and Ethnicity Conference
Donald Mansir, Professor of Theology, St. Mary’s College and formerly the Vice-President for the Pontifical Council for Palestine
Peace, Nature, Nurture, Theology, and Culture in the Conflicts of the Holy Land
29 September 2010, GRCC Peace Studies Conference
Bryan Groves, Colonel, U.S. Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations
Peacekeeping and Stability Operations: Participation in UN, Regional Organization Peacekeeping Operations
28 September 2010, GRCC Peace Studies Conference
*Marie Price, Professor of Geography and International Affairs, George Washington University
Immigration in a Global Age: Cities, Ethnicity, and the Politics of Place
18 February 2010, GRCC Race and Ethnicity Conference
*Leon Yacher, Professor of Geography, Southern Connecticut State University
African Americans in New Haven, Connecticut: A Historical Geography
26 February 2009, GRCC African American History Conference
*Visiting Geographical Scientist Distinguished Speaker