Speakers include a former U.S. ambassador, a big data expert, and a best-selling author on dealing with loss
Clockwise from top left: Christian Walkes, Nora McInerny, Talithia Williams, Neil Swidey, Dee-1, and Suzi LeVine.
The Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life will host events this semester with diplomats, authors, members of the media, and public servants.
Featured guests include former U.S. Ambassador Suzi LeVine, PBS Nova Wonders co-host Talithia Williams, podcast host Nora McInerny, and rapper and activist Dee-1. Dee-1—who will deliver this year’s Russell Lecture on Spiritual Life—is also Tisch College’s inaugural Alan Solomont Scholar/Artist-in-Residence.
All events take place on Tufts’ Medford/Somerville campus unless otherwise noted. Some events allow for remote viewing and participation.
Visit https://tischcollege.tufts.edu/events for event details and to register.
Civic Life Lunch—Giving Students a Second Chance at College: A Conversation with Neil Swidey, A91
Monday, February 5 | noon | Rabb Room, Barnum Hall
Did you know that, according to a recent study, the percentage of Boston Public School graduates who finish college is well below the national average? Join a conversation with Tufts alumnus Neil Swidey to understand why that is and how his Boston organization—the Alray Scholars Program—is working to change the narrative. Lunch provided.
Civic Life Lunch—Shaping International Law to Combat Climate Change: Island States’ Efforts Before International Courts
Monday, February 12 | noon | Rabb Room, Barnum Hall
Interested in the intersection of law and climate change? Join a lunch conversation with associate attorney Duncan Pickard, A10, on how island states’ climate efforts before international courts are shaping international law for the better. Lunch provided.
Solomont Speaker Series and School of Engineering DEIJ Colloquium: Talithia Williams
Thursday, February 15 | 5:30 p.m. | Barnum Hall LL008
Join Tisch College and the School of Engineering for a special lecture with Talithia Williams, statistician, big data expert, award-winning professor and co-host of the PBS series Nova Wonders. Williams’ lecture, titled “Data Driven Solutions for Eliminating Health Disparities,” will focus on how data is essential for understanding social determinants of health and developing innovative interventions to address unique populations.
Civic Life Lunch—Former U.S. Ambassador Suzi LeVine on the Power of Mistakes and Failure
Thursday, February 29 | noon | Cabot 702, The Fletcher School
The United States is known and respected worldwide for its innovation. But innovation, at its core, relies on failure and the freedom to learn from failure. Ambassador Suzi LeVine will share how other nations view failure in contrast to the U.S. and will discuss the failed starts of many individuals we currently consider successful. She will also tell tales of learning from failure in her own non-linear career.
Civic Life Lunch—Building Community and Connections through Tech with Civic Roundtable
Monday, March 4 | noon | Rabb Room, Barnum Hall
Meet the young co-founders of Civic Roundtable, a new collaboration platform designed to connect public servants in real time and make the public sector more efficient. Described as “Reddit meets LinkedIn,” Civic Roundtable combines a secure space with peer-to-peer communication for users to ask questions, collaborate, and share best practices.
Public Service and Social Impact Networking Night
Tuesday, March 5 | 6–8:15 p.m. | Breed Memorial Hall, 51 Winthrop Street
Are you a Tufts student interested in knowing more about what a mission-driven career looks like? Meet with an inspiring group of professionals and employers from a variety of social impact careers for an evening of conversations. Hear from professionals who work across public, private, and nonprofit sectors to impact policy, diplomacy, international development, education, human rights, social justice, and more.
View the schedule and register to attend
Russell Lecture on Spiritual Life: Dee-1
Wednesday, March 6 | 5–6:30 p.m. | Distler Performance Hall, Granoff Music Center
The Russell Lecture on Spiritual Life is the oldest endowed lectureship at Tufts and offers a spiritual perspective on the world today. This year, join the University Chaplaincy and Tisch College for a unique and energizing lecture with keynote speaker and Tisch College's Alan Solomont Artist/Scholar-in-Residence, Dee-1. An educator, activist, renowned hip hop artist and spiritual leader, Dee-1 will offer his gifts and insight to the Tufts community. ASL interpretation will be provided.
Learn more about the event and Dee-1, and register to attend
Solomont Speaker Series: Nora McInerny—“How Are You? (No, Really)”
Wednesday, March 13 | 4:30 p.m. | Distler Performance Hall, Granoff Music Center
How are you, really? Award-winning podcast host of “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” and bestselling author Nora McInerny wants to know the truth. Drawing on her personal experiences with grief and her years of interviewing people struggling with trauma and change, McInerny is known for taking on difficult and uncomfortable topics with disarming humor and candor.
