Discussion Series Showcases GW Faculty on International Stage

School of Business Dean Linda Livingstone, GSPM Director Mark Kennedy highlight GWtalks events.

August 3, 2015

Linda Livingstone, Mark Kennedy

Discussions with School of Business Dean Linda Livingstone and Political Management Director Mark Kennedy are providing alumni and prospective students alike an opportunity to interact with George Washington University leaders. (File photos)

Alumni and prospective students alike are getting an opportunity to interact with George Washington University leaders in communities around the world this summer and fall as part of an event series featuring top faculty members discussing global topics.

GWtalks, a series of discussions in international cities on topics including business, politics, international affairs and healthcare, is hosted by International Advancement within the Division of Development and Alumni Relations. Notable speakers include School of Business Dean Linda Livingstone and Graduate School of Political Management Director Mark Kennedy. The series began May 30 and continues into the fall semester.

“Given the interconnectedness of today's global marketplace, now more than ever we must share information and exchange ideas in new and dynamic ways,” Dr. Livingstone said. “The GWtalks Series is just one example of how GW is on the forefront of preparing students and supporting alumni to lead the knowledge economy, and I was honored to be one of the first participants.”

Her events—May 30 in New Delhi, June 2 in Istanbul and June 6 in Dubai—drew alumni, prospective students and current students alike. The Istanbul event, which followed George Washington President Steven Knapp’s visit to Turkey in November, was attended by a cohort participating in the GW World Executive MBA program. The discussion in Dubai featured GW business school faculty Ayman Tarabishy, executive director of the International Council of Small Business; Paul Swiercz, chair of the department of management; and George Jabbour, associate dean for executive education. The event was held in conjunction with the 2015 International Council for Small Business World Conference.

In New Delhi, Dr. Livingstone discussed new developments at the university and business school at an event that attracted nearly 50 attendees, the largest GW gathering ever in the country.

"It was wonderful to see so many alumni—we did not realize we are such a big group in India,” said Vimal Mahendru, M.B.A. ’88. “It was lovely to see such a diverse group of people who are connected with GW coming together.”

Lynn Goldman, the Michael and Lori Milken Dean of Public Health at the Milken Institute School of Public Health, will give a university update in Singapore Sept. 18 as part of the series. Mr. Kennedy, a former three-term U.S. congressman from Minnesota, will speak at a series of events beginning Nov. 12 in Mexico City. He has overseen the creation of two international-focused GSPM master’s programs in the past three years: Political Communications and Governance and Advocacy in the Global Environment. The Nov. 12 discussion will focus on how big data can win or lose an election.

Attendees said the GWtalks events create a candid exchange between faculty and alumni.

“It was great to see a business school dean for the first time in the region,” said Zeid Massad, M.B.A. ’07, who attended the Dubai event. “We are looking forward to continuing to see GW staying active in bridging the relationship with Middle East alumni.”