In this talk we’ll discuss some of the historical, economic, and political roots of the current Venezuelan conflict.

Le Guin is one of the best writers to help us imagine different futures and better worlds. This talk will explore her life and writing as well as why her work is still so relevant today.

As the United States prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the War for Independence, this panel brings together MVCC historians to explore the defining moments of the Revolution and the lasting significance of the founding struggle.

This event will explain what led to the U.S. government shutting down on October 1, 2025. We will discuss the factors that led to the shutdown, the positions of the Democrats and Republicans on the shutdown, and the impact on government workers, services, and politics in general.

Our communities are a reflection of the time and dedication we spend making them work. Whether through employment, interactions with your neighbors, or organizing with your elected officials, you get out of your community what you put into it. Join us for an interactive discussion about what is being put into our communities by ourselves and others and what we can do to rehabilitate ourselves from poverty and overcriminalization.Our communities are a reflection of the time and dedication we spend making them work. Whether through employment, interactions with your neighbors, or organizing with your elected officials, you get out of your community what you put into it. Join us for an interactive discussion about what is being put into our communities by ourselves and others and what we can do to rehabilitate ourselves from poverty and overcriminalization.

Argonne National Laboratory is a scientific hub with initiatives ranging from cancer research to quantum chemistry to astrophysics and cosmology. Dr. Wells will talk about his experience as a postdoctoral researcher and early-career computational scientist.

Historian Jim McIntyre will explore how the North American theater of the Seven Years’ War laid the groundwork for colonial unrest and the birth of the American Revolution. McIntyre will examine the war’s political, economic, and territorial consequences that reshaped British-colonial relations.

In recent years, there have been a rapid increase in conflicts, wars and major disagreements between countries over numerous issues. Please join history professors Merri Fefles-Dunkle and Josh Fulton and political science professor Kevin Navratil as they examine the breakdown of the Post WWII international system and other factors that may have contributed to this volatile international environment.

Join us for a special lecture exploring the work and legacy of Ursula K. Le Guin, one of the most influential voices in science fiction and fantasy. Dr. Rebecca Johns-Trissler of DePaul University will examine Le Guin’s themes of anarchism, gender, and imagination in works such as our One Book Text, The Dispossessed. This lecture invites students, faculty, and the community to reflect on how Le Guin’s writing continues to shape conversations about society and storytelling.

The Framers of the Constitution intentionally designed a “Madisonian” system with separation of powers and checks and balances. This event will briefly explain why the Framers designed the system they did and then examine how well these principles are holding up in 2025.