“Who Cares About the Global Refugee Crisis and Democratic Backsliding in 2024?”

Peter Gerlach

Dr. Peter Gerlach is assistant professor of instruction in the International Studies Program at The University of Iowa and executive director of the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council (ICFRC). He received his BA and MA degrees in English from Ripon College and the University of Northern Colorado, respectively. After serving in the US Peace Corps in Mongolia, he earned a PhD in Cultural Foundations of Education from Syracuse University where he conducted dissertation research on the lived experiences of international students at Grinnell College. Dr. Gerlach’s teaching areas include international studies, international education, refugee and immigrant studies, and community engaged learning. He serves on the board of directors at the Refugee and Immigrant Association, the planning committee of the Refugee Alliance of Johnson County, and is a member of the inaugural Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Higher Education Ambassador program. He lives in Iowa City, IA with his wife and two children. 

Sunday Goshit

Sunday Goshit is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the International Studies Program at the University of Iowa. He came to the US from Nigeria over two decades ago and obtained a PhD in Physical Geography with emphasis in Synoptic Climatology from the University of Iowa. Sunday taught geography at the University of Jos Nigeria. He obtained a BSc and MSc in geography and environmental and resources planning from the University of Jos. Over the past two decades he has been very active with the immigrant and refugee community in the Iowa City area and is on the Board of Iowa City Foreign Relations Council, President of the Board of Directors of Iowa City Compassion, Co-convener and Board Member of the African Communities Network of Iowa, the planning committee of Refugee Alliance of Johnson County and most recently called to serve on the advisory board of the Community Outreach and Engagement of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Sunday lives in Coralville with his wife. They have four grown children and five grandchildren.

“How Diplomats promote Democracy around the World”

Jon is a retired U.S. diplomat.  His Foreign Service postings included Saudi Arabia, Papua New Guinea, Iraq, Pakistan, India, and Brazil.   He also served as Director for South and Central Asia at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and as a Middle East Foreign Policy Advisor in the Directorate of Strategic Plans and Policy at the Joint Staff.  He later worked as the Executive Director of the Miami-Dade County International Trade Consortium, and Director of International Trade and Investment for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.  Jon holds J.D., MBA, and BS degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm.

“Understanding Global Youth Civic Engagement and Engaging in Opportunity”

Emma Nelson is an 18-year-old from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. A recent graduate of Oconomowoc High School, Emma intends to pursue a degree in International Affairs while attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Emma’s interest in world affairs had always existed but became understood and relevant on a much deeper level following her participation in the Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellowship, a Department of State exchange program.

“Balancing Competing Interests in a Democracy”

Jacob Schueller taught AP US Government and Politics, among other Social Studies courses, for 11 years in Wisconsin. Now, as the Teacher Programs Manager for the Jack Miller Center, Jacob facilitates professional development for K-12 teachers by connecting those teachers with top notch Political Scientists and Historians to deep dive primary sources related to the American Political Tradition.

This presentation is co-sponsored by the Jack Miller Center.

“Comparing Constitutional Democracy in the United States and India”

Eric Pullin is a Professor of History at Carthage College. He teaches courses on International Relations, World War II, the Cold War, Nineteenth-Century America, the Civil War, Twentieth-Century America, and the History of India. Pullin’s research focuses on India-United States foreign relations during the twentieth century, and has published in journals including Intelligence and National Security, The Historian, Contemporary European History, and Diplomatic History. He is also co-founder and co-director for the Humanities Citizenship Initiative, a Great Books program devoted to helping underserved high school students to succeed in college. Dr. Pullin earned a B.A. in History from Rockford College, an M.A. in History from Northern Illinois University, an A.M. in Labor and Industrial Relations from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Ph.D. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This presentation is co-sponsored by the Jack Miller Center.

“What the Health is Going On?”

“Felony Disfranchisement in Wisconsin”

Dant’e Cottingham, at 46 years old, is a remarkable individual with a powerful story of resilience and advocacy. As a Juvenile Lifer, Criminal Justice, and Prison Reform Advocate, Dant’e’s journey is one of transformation and impact.

A native of Racine, Dant’e’s life took a turn at the age of 17 when he was tried as an adult and received a Life sentence. For 27 years, he navigated the challenges of incarceration until his release in 2022. Since regaining his freedom, Dant’e has emerged as a prominent leader in Racine and across Wisconsin.

His contributions to the community are vast, including his role as the former interim associate director of EXPO (Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing), a statewide network. Currently serving as the Intensive Outreach Specialist for the city of Racine, Dant’e is dedicated to advocating for criminal justice and prison reform with unwavering passion.

Through his work, Dant’e aims to share his experiences to educate the public and humanize the incarcerated, fostering understanding and empathy. His commitment to creating positive change and empowering others is a testament to his strength and determination.

Dant’e Cottingham is a beacon of hope and resilience, using his voice to make a difference and inspire change in the world of criminal justice and beyond.

“Democracy 101: Elements of Local Government”

Juan Arévalo

Juan Arévalo first joined the Milwaukee Turners as an intern from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee for the course Writing Internship in the Humanities in the Spring of 2022. Juan joined the Sound Ming Program as a program coordinator after graduating from UW-Milwaukee and obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Community Engagement and Education and in English in the spring of 2022. During his time at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee he was a Student Undergraduate Research Fellow, where he translated and curated the Cuentos Website, which focuses on the accounts and battle for reproductive justice of Latina women in Wisconsin. He also interned at Northwestern University’s ISGMH (Institute of Sexual Gender Minority Health). Along with his passion for helping others and working with youth, Juan is also passionate about writing, film, soccer, history, and different cultures.

Jessye Hale (송진주)

Jessye Hale (송진주) joined Milwaukee Turners in 2022 as a rock-climbing instructor and began working on the Sound Mind team as a Program Coordinator in 2023. In 2018, after graduating from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Jessye was awarded the prestigious US State Department’s Critical Languages Scholarship and proceeded to work in South Korea as a research scientist from 2019-2021. After reconnecting with her birth culture in Korea, she decided to return to Milwaukee and began involvement in non-profit work. Her interest in Milwaukee Turners comes from a passion for community work, education, and advocacy for people of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences as well as a strong connection and love for Milwaukee.

“Building Youth Political Power”

Leaders Igniting Transformation is a Wisconsin based non-profit that focuses on youth advocacy, youth leadership development, and youth civic engagement. We work with 10 Milwaukee Public High Schools and 11 UW-system colleges. Our students work year-round on political education and engagement in their communities. Amber has been an organizer with LIT for 3 years organizing high school students in Milwaukee and La Crosse. 

Civic Engagement in the Theater – What the Constitution Means to Me

Laura is a stage director, arts leader, and teacher based in Milwaukee, WI.  Select Milwaukee Rep credits: What the Constitution Means to Me, Much Ado About Nothing, Steel Magnolias, Songs for Nobodies (American Premiere), Dial M for Murder, Grounded, and others.  Select Regional Credits: It Came from Outer Space (Chicago Shakespeare Theater & Theater Squared, Jeff nominee for Direction of a Musical), We are Out There (Chicago Shakes), Theophilus North (Dog Days Theater), The Dispute (Hangar Theater).  Select NY Credits: 10 plays for The Attic Theater Company, including The Notebook of Trigorin (NY Premiere), Strictly Dishonorable (NY Times Critics Pick), and Jericho (World Premiere);  work at Keen Company, NYMF, FringeNYC, Atlantic Theater Company Stage II, and more. BFA from NYU/Tisch School of Drama, Drama League Directors Project Alumnus, SDC Member, World Premiere WI Leadership Team.  Laura was Artistic Director of Attic Theater Company in NYC from 2009–2019 before moving to Milwaukee to join the artmakers of the Midwest. 

Democracy and the Media

Isiah Holmes is a journalist and videographer, and a lifelong resident of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His writing has been featured in Urban Milwaukee, Isthmus, Milwaukee Stories, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Services, Pontiac Tribune, the Progressive Magazine, Al Jazeera, and other outlets. 

“A Cross-Partisan Approach to Building Political Trust”

David D. Haynes

Scott McCallum