Lectures & Events

“The Combahee River Raid: Finding the Voices Historians Have Not Heard”: President's Lecture Series with Edda Fields-Black

Monday, April 13, 4 to 5:30 p.m., Simmons Auditorium, Tepper Building

Join President Farnam Jahanian as he hosts Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Carnegie Mellon University history professor Edda Fields-Black for a distinguished lecture and fireside chat. 

Dr. Edda L. Fields-Black is a professor in the Department of History and director of the Dietrich College Humanities Center at Carnegie Mellon University. She was awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in History for her book, “COMBEE: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom during the Civil War.” The book recounts a crucial chapter in American history when Harriet Tubman, working with the Union Army, led a daring Civil War raid to attack rice plantations owned by Confederate slave owners in the South Carolina Lowcountry. 

Register for Edda Fields-Black's lecture by April 10

It's On You: A Book Talk by George Loewenstein

Monday, April 13, 5 to 7:30 p.m., Giant Eagle Auditorium (Baker A51)

Join us for a thought-provoking critique of how we approach society’s biggest challenges by one of the leading voices in behavioral economics.

From retirement shortfalls to climate change, many collective problems are increasingly framed as matters of individual responsibility — issues we are told can be solved with the right behavioral “nudge.” But are they? 

Drawing on compelling examples — from opt-out 401(k) plans that fail to resolve the retirement crisis to corporate carbon footprint calculators that shift blame away from fossil fuel industries — this book reveals how we have been subtly coerced into blaming ourselves for our societal failures. "It’s on You" challenges the promise of quick behavioral fixes and makes a powerful case for systemic change. Real progress requires rewriting the rules, not just nudging behavior. 

Register for Loewenstein's book talk

Communi-TEA Social Hour

Monday, April 13, 6 to 7 p.m., Well-Being Lab (Room 104), Highmark Center

Horizons of Justice in 'South Korea's Adoption Reckoning'

Tuesday, April 14, 11 a.m., Posner 234 (Johnstone Room)

Join us to hear Assistant Professor of Rhetoric Sarah Hae-In Idzik give the talk “Horizons of Justice in ‘South Korea’s Adoption Reckoning.’”

Bite-In and Tune-Out: Your Personalized Take on Nutrition and Mindfulness

Tuesday, April 14, 5 to 6 p.m., Well-Being Lab (Room 104), Highmark Center

Join us for an interactive workshop where you’ll learn evidence-based strategies to nourish both your body and mind. You’ll create a personalized wellness plan and practice mindful eating techniques while enjoying free food and refreshments.

No registration is required. All are welcome to drop in and tune in!

Linguistics in Action

Tuesday, April 14, 5 to 7 p.m., Steinberg Auditorium (Baker Hall A53)

"Linguistics in Action" is a series of lightning talks on a variety of Linguistic topics given by CMU Linguistics Alumni and current CMU Linguistics students. We will also be sharing ways that you can be more involved in linguistics at CMU, including the CMU Linguistics Club! 

Food will be provided. This event is open to the public.

Featured Alumni: 

• Satoru Ozaki (BA Linguistics '20, MS LTI '22), PhD student in Linguistics, UMass Amherst. Talk Title: Right Node Raising, Multidominance and Reflexives 
• Katherine Zhang (BA Linguistics '19, MA Global Communications and Applied Translation '21), Voiceover Producer at HoYoverse. Talk Title: What Almost Broke Honkai: Star Rail Localization Was a Pseudo-Cleft 

Featured Students: 

• Mads Turner (BA Linguistics '26) Talk Title: Us vs. They/Them: Establishing Identity on r/GenderCritical 
• Messou Fofana (BA Linguistics and BS Human Computer Interaction '27) Talk Title: An Illustration of the IPA in the Language 
• Maninka Thomas Palakapilly (BA Linguistics '27) Talk Title: Silly Goose: How to Characterize an Intonational Contou

Celebration of Education Awards

Wednesday, April 15, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Simmons Auditorium, Tepper Building

Join Provost James H. Garrett Jr. for the annual Celebration of Education Awards event that recognizes outstanding teaching, mentorship and education innovation across the university, followed by a reception.

Carnegie Mellon University’s Celebration of Education honors the outstanding educators, advisors and mentors who exemplify the university’s commitment to teaching, innovation and student success. Each year, faculty and staff are recognized through a series of awards that highlight excellence in teaching, advising, mentoring and educational outreach. Each spring, the annual ceremony brings together the CMU community to celebrate these achievements and to recognize the individuals whose dedication and creativity shape the university’s culture of learning. 

For complete details, including eligibility, please visit the Celebration of Education website. 

Register for the Celebration of Education Awards

Grave Tone: On Grief, Haiti and the Making of a Poem

Wednesday, April 15, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry (CFA 111)

Join the Center for the Arts in Society for a Haitian dinner, conversation and poetry reading with Bertony Louis, LCAL research fellow and City of Asylum writer-in-residence, and Sony Ton-Aime, executive director of Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures. 

Reserve your seat for Grave Tones by April 5. 

This event is co-sponsored by The Humanities Scholars Program Diane and Bradford Smith Family Fund, the Humanities Center, the Sustainability Initiative, the Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics, the Center for Black European Studies & the Atlantic, The Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry and the Artists and Scholars at Risk (ASAR) Program.

Crafternoon

Thursday, April 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Well-Being Lab (Room 104), Highmark Center

Join us for a monthly Crafternoon! Drop in anytime and gather to create your own Mini Zine (a small scrapbook), craft Flowers using crepe paper and washi tape, and make other delightful creations. Crafts/kits will be provided. No registration required. All are welcome!

Community Impact Forum

Thursday, April 16, noon to 1 p.m., Peter, Wright & McKenna Rooms, CUC

Join us for a Dietrich College Community Impact Forum. We’ll provide updates on our Community Impact plan, examine national trends in organizational culture and community engagement, and reaffirm our commitment to a respectful and inclusive learning environment — one that welcomes a range of perspectives and supports the dignity and growth of every individual. 

RSVP for the Community Impact Forum by April 2

Spring Pop-Up Market

Thursday, April 16, 1 to 3 p.m., Merson Courtyard and East-West Walkway

Chartwells and GoLocal are collaborating on the first Spring Pop-up Farmer’s Market of the semester! Featuring local vendors with baked goods, produce and food trucks (Papelon Arepa, Flavors of Puerto Rico, and Boon Seek Korean food). Bring your lunch money or your Dinex to the courtyard behind the CUC and celebrate spring with us!

Book Launch with Ignacio Arana Araya

Thursday, April 16, 5 to 6 p.m., Posner Grand Room (Posner 340)

Why do presidents attempt to change their countries’ constitutions to overstay in office or expand their powers? Join the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy and Technology (CMIST) as we celebrate the release of Ignacio Arana Araya’s new book, "Presidential Personalities and Constitutional Power Grabs in Latin America, 1945-2021". 

While most research on democratic backsliding focuses on institutions or structural factors, Arana argues that the personalities of leaders also play a crucial role. The active erosion of democratic institutions and norms by national political leaders has become a growing global concern. Attempts to expand presidential power have been commonplace across countries and historical periods, and the list of perpetrators includes some of the most influential leaders of the previous and current centuries, who have dramatically changed the course of their countries. Despite this pattern, it remains unclear what types of leaders are most likely to undermine democracy. 

"Presidential Personalities and Constitutional Power Grabs in Latin America, 1945-2021" integrates differential psychology research with comparative politics to show that individual differences among heads of government have a measurable impact on executive governance. Arana leverages a unique and comprehensive database to test his theory, including interviews with 24 former presidents from ten countries, evaluations of leaders by hundreds of experts, and biographical and psychometric data on presidents. His analysis reveals that dominant and politically inexperienced presidents are more likely to attempt to relax their term limits, while risk-taking and assertive leaders are more inclined to expand their formal powers. By treating the individual differences of political leaders as independent variables, this book offers a paradigmatic shift in the studies of democracy, political elites, institutional change, and the nature of the presidency itself. 

About the Author: Ignacio Arana Araya, an assistant professor at the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology (CMIST), is a comparativist specializing in elite behavior by analyzing how the personality traits and other individual differences of national leaders impact executive governance. He also studies the consequences of variation in political institutions across countries, with an emphasis on Latin America. Arana examines executive-legislative relations, informal institutions, gender and politics, and judicial politics. His first book, "Presidential Personalities and Constitutional Power Grabs in Latin America, 1945-2021", was recently published by Oxford University Press, and he is currently writing his second book, "The Psychology of Presidents", which is under contract with Cambridge University Press. He has also published in numerous academic journals and contributed book chapters to several books. 

Register for Arana-Araya's book launch

The Playground Series: Reset Social

Thursday, April 16, 5 to 6 p.m., Well-Being Lab (Room 104), Highmark Center

Unplug. Connect. Just be. Step away from the noise and into a space designed for real connection, through guided conversations, shared reflections, and low-pressure interactions. 

Playground series rewards will be announced at the event. 

Free, healthy snacks. 

Come as you are. All are welcome!

Lunch and Learn: Managing Stress and Preventing Burnout

Friday, April 17, noon to 1 p.m., Room 2025, Highmark Center

Discover coping strategies to refocus your mind on the present moment, calming anxiety, panic or disassociation. 

Please RSVP if you’d like a free lunch.

Classification in Equilibrium: A Colloquium with Elizabeth Maggie Penn

Friday, April 17, 3:30 to 4:50 p.m., Baker A36

Classification algorithms are usually evaluated as measurement devices on the basis of how well they sort people into categories. This talk argues that this framing misses an important point. When people anticipate being judged by a rule, they respond to it, and the algorithm changes the behavior it’s meant to evaluate.

I develop a framework in which a designer commits to a classification rule anticipating that people will respond, and I characterize the optimal rules that emerge under different designer objectives. The results can be surprising. An accuracy-maximizing classifier may find it optimal to discourage the behavior it is trying to detect (say, compliance with the law) because accuracy-maximizing systems try to engineer a population that is easier to sort. 

The broader point is that evaluative rules are incentive structures that change behavior, with consequences that are not always visible in classifier performance alone. While this has always been true, the point is becoming more urgent as AI systems grow capable enough to reason about behavioral responses to their own decisions.

In My Voice: A Civics-Centered Open Mic

Saturday, April 18, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Large Meeting Room, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Squirrel Hill

CMU student Maria Paunescu (DC 2028), in collaboration with PA Youth Vote, presents "In My Voice."

PA Youth Vote is a nonpartisan state-wide organization that encourages young people to civically engage with their local communities, especially through voter registration.

“In My Voice” is a civics-centered event, in the style of a curated open mic, in which youth speakers (17-24 year olds) get the opportunity to talk, present poetry, and deliver spoken word pieces about issues pertinent to them and their communities in front of an audience of their peers, local politicians, and public officials.

Register to speak at In My Voice

No registration required for regular attendees!

Stillness Retreat: Deep listening and Incense Making

Sunday, April 19, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Well-Being Lab (Room 104), Highmark Center

Life as a K-Pop Idol: A Conversation with Seungyeon Chang

Tuesday April 21, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Hamerschlag B103

Join the Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics for an exciting and candid conversation with Seungyeon Chang, former leader of CLC and now a professional K-pop choreographer.

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to be a K-pop idol? 

From trainee days to debut stages, world tours and transitioning into choreography, Seungyeon will share her personal journey in the K-pop industry. Learn about the challenges, rewards, behind-the-scenes realities and what it truly takes to succeed as an idol. 

This is your chance to:

• Ask questions about idol life and training
• Hear firsthand stories from the stage and studio
• Gain insight into the K-pop industry from someone who has lived it

Whether you’re a longtime K-pop fan or simply curious about the industry, don’t miss this unique opportunity for an engaging and inspiring conversation.

Blind Date with a Book

Wednesday, April 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Merson Courtyard (CUC)

Support our department chapter of the International English honors society, Sigma Tau Delta, by taking home a mystery book for $5!

Acting Strangely: The Music of Raven Chacon

Wednesday, April 22, 11 a.m., Studio for Creative Inquiry (CFA 111)

Students in Dr. Woloshyn's North American Indigenous Music Seminar have prepared three works by Raven Chacon exploring Indigenous classical music through an embodied and sonified dialogue with Indigenous worldviews ⏤ in this case, Navajo, or Diné. 

Pulitzer-prize winning and former MacArthur Fellow Raven Chacon is a composer and artist from Fort Defiance, Navajo Nation. The compositions in today's performance allow for a range of instruments and participants. They include graphic notation, some of which incorporates Navajo iconography (about which Chacon withholds translation), and rely intensely on listening, improvisation, and collaboration.

• 11:10 a.m. ⏤ Outside CFA
• 11:30 a.m. ⏤ Inside Studio for Creative Inquiry (CFA 111)
• Noon ⏤ Reception with food

Journey to this Spot: Mapping Everyday Life at CMU

Wednesday, April 22, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Sustainability Studio, Hunt Library, First Floor

Maps are more than coordinates on a sheet of paper — they tell stories of where people gather, what they do, and how they live. In the University Libraries, the Architecture Archives collects, conserves and promotes the use of architectural records that document the architects and architecture of Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, and the region. These records help shape our understanding of our surroundings and their connection to the past, present, and future of the institution.

Join the Libraries Student Advisory Council as they showcase their work with the Architecture Archives during this drop-in event. Through a combination of GIS, storymapping, and other resources and tools, LSAC members constructed their own personal representations of key areas on campus. Trace your path from your dorm to class, see how your peers use spaces in different ways, and see how time of day and changing seasons affect familiar views.

Food will be provided, and attendees will have a chance to map their own memories at CMU.

The Hilliard Family Speaker Series on Behavioral Economics: Has the Loser’s Curse Been Broken?

Wednesday, April 22, 5 to 6 p.m., Giant Eagle Auditorium (Baker A51)

The CMU Department of Social & Decision Sciences in partnership with the Department of Statistics & Data Science presents the Hilliard Family Speaker Series on Behavioral Economics with Cade Massey.

Has the Loser's Curse Been Broken?

Twenty years ago, my co-author and I discovered that NFL teams systematically over-value top picks in the annual college draft. It is surprising that something so consequential to teams, and watched so closely by fans, could be so wrong. Is it really true? Perhaps that earlier analysis was flawed because the statistics available at the time were too crude to capture player value. Or maybe the finding was true then, but teams have learned since to value picks more accurately. We investigate the last twenty NFL drafts to ask whether, when, and where teams have improved. We find progress in some areas but persistent problems in many others. Overall, the central goal – identifying which prospects will actually perform best – remains as elusive as ever.

Adamson Awards Ceremony

Thursday, April 23, 5 p.m., Baker 136A

Run by the Creative Writing program, the Adamson Awards are presented for student excellence in fiction, poetry, and non-fiction, and are open to undergraduate students throughout the Carnegie Mellon University community. 

Garth Greenwell is this year’s guest speaker.

Hello SDS Newbies and Goodbye SDS Seniors!

Friday, April 24, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Baker Hall Lawn (Rain Location: CUC Danforth)

Join your fellow SDS classmates to celebrate the end of the school year. More details to follow!

CPDC Career Closet

Monday thru Friday, 10 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m., CPDC Interview Center (CUC, lower level)

Need professional attire for a career fair, networking event or interview? The CPDC Career Closet offers CMU students free business casual and business formal clothing donated by faculty, staff, alumni and community professionals. Students may select up to 3 items per semester - yours to keep, no return required!

Visit the CPDC website for more information about the Career Closet!

Heartfulness Meditation

Sundays, 9 to 11 a.m., Well-Being Lab (Room 104), Highmark Center

Practical session on Heartfulness Meditation with Yogic Transmission. Experience simple yet effective guided relaxation and meditation techniques to reduce stress, calm your mind, and improve your quality of life.

Soft Tech Quilting Bee

Mondays, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Studio A, Hunt Library

Soft Tech Quilting Bee is a new casual weekly gathering at IDeATe. All skill levels are welcome. Not necessary to come each week; come as often or as little as you like.

You have options for how to participate: We have a communal quilt project going that all are welcome to join, you can bring your own quilting/piecing project to work on, or come to hang out. When we finish our communal quilt, let’s raffle it off to raise money for a cause that we want to support.

Alexander Technique Series for Back, Hips, Knees and Wrists

Every Monday in February, 5 to 6 p.m., Well-Being Lab (Room 104), Highmark Center

Do your shoulders or back feel tense, tight or constantly “on guard”? Connecting Mind & Body is an experiential series where we’ll explore how unconscious habits show up in the body — and how the Alexander Technique can help you release unnecessary tension, improve posture and move with greater ease.

Through gentle guidance, awareness practices, and subtle movement, you’ll learn to:

• Recognize and undo patterns of tension
• Restore a more natural relationship between head, neck and spine
• Support your arms and upper body without strain

Whether you’re dealing with discomfort, stress or you simply want to feel lighter and freer, this class offers practical tools for everyday life. No prior experience needed — just bring your curiosity. Activities may include standing, sitting, walking and lying down on the floor; modifications available on request.

Midday Mindfulness

Tuesdays, 12:30 to 1:15 p.m., Well-Being Lab (Room 104), Highmark Center

Guided mindfulness with a “choose your own adventure” feel.

Try different practices in community. Notice what works for you. Cultivate equanimity & unconditional well-being and build your everyday toolkit. No registration required. Beginner-friendly. All are welcome.

Playtest Nights

Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m., Studio A, Hunt Library

CMU Playtesting is a collaboration between ETC, IDeATe, and HCII.

Playtest nights are not only for video gamers or game designers. Any experience or project that requires user testing is welcome at Playtest Nights. Playtest Night is free and open to the public ages 18+. Since space is limited, If you are NOT a CMU Student and would like to attend Playtest Night, contact the playtest coordinator Anthony Palyszeski.

Playtest Nights meet almost every Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. in IDeATe’s Studio A throughout the semester. Please check their webpage for updates or check back here at IDeATe Events for the latest schedule.

Spring 2026 Schedule:

• Jan 27
• Feb 10
• Mar 17, 24, 31
• April 7, 21

Paws to Relax: Weekly Pet Therapy Program

Wednesdays, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Well-Being Lab (Room 104), Highmark Center

Volunteers through Animal Friend’s Therapet program will join us on Wednesdays, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., to offer some friendly dog companions for the hour. No pre-registration required. All are welcome!