The Impact Center Speaker Series
This annual Speaker Series, launched in 2025-2026, addresses topics or themes designed to improve campus climate and enhance community life at Bryn Mawr, advancing equity, inclusion, wellness, welcome, and belonging from local and global perspectives.
2025-26 Theme
Strengthening Community in Unprecedented Times
In Fall 2025, Dr. Fanta Aw addressed the topic of “Community and Belonging in Challenging Times.â€
Dr. Aw is the Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and is a recognized leader in higher education. Her expertise in internationalization in higher education, promoting inclusive excellence, women in leadership, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education have made her a highly sought after speaker and she has been featured on major global media outlets, including CNN, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, and USA Today.
Previous Speaker Series
The Impact Center Speaker Series emerged from the Advancing Inclusive Excellence Presidential Visitors Series of 2023 and the Presidential Series on Dialogue and Community of 2024.
Speakers in the 2023 series included Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, Dr. Tuajuanda Jordan, and Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust ’68, who amplified access and inclusion initiatives the College had already launched, provided new perspectives and ideas, contributed expertise and emerging knowledge, and expanded our networks to other organizations and individuals around the country working to advance inclusive excellence in higher education.
In 2024, author and human rights activist Loretta J. Ross visited campus and shared about the value of nurturing community through dialogue and moving beyond cancel culture.
