by Dan Bondarchuk and Nick Smith, Staff Writers
Each week, PPCC students are invited to attend weekly Global Village roundtable sessions. The discussion hour allows students to get real answers to real questions—to gain authentic perspectives on global human issues.
“It’s all about seeing the lens through someone else’s eyes,” faculty coordinator Amy Cornish said.
Discussions are guided by weekly themes, such as National Hispanic Heritage Month, immigration, women’s rights, and education. The mood is often casual but academic, encouraging smaller conversations and free discussion of perspectives.
Student ambassadors lead the conversations, while often sharing their own unique experiences. For example, ambassador Judith Zongo grew up in Burkina Faso, Africa. She often shares her experiences of her home—and her perspective of the U.S.
Another ambassador, Chala White, from Turkey shares her experiences of coming back to school as a non-traditional student. After a career in education in Turkey, she’s now working toward her degree in Early Childhood Education. When asked what’s the difference between American and Turkish schools, she laughed and said, “there are no similarities.”
One of drawing features of this roundtable is to learn about other cultures, while simultaneously learning about your own. Faculty coordinator, Martin Conrad enjoys hosting because “I get to get a glimpse at my culture from someone else’s perspective … because it’s crazy sometimes,” he said.
Conversations are often guided by ambassador Will Settlage, who poses questions and encourages varied perspectives.
The dynamic shifts each week depending on who comes to talk. Everyone in the PPCC community is welcome.
LOCATIONS & TIMES:
Rampart Range Campus
Atrium (main floor upstairs)
Tuesdays 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Centennial
The Grove
Wednesdays 12:30-1:30 p.m.
