This fall, Mohawk Valley Community College will present two international lectures showcasing the global experiences and expertise of faculty and staff. Both events, which are free and open to the public, will be held in Wilcox Hall, room 225, at the College’s Utica Campus.
Lahore to Utica: A Pakistani American Professor’s Path in Science and Community
2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025
Dr. Shahida Dar, Interim Dean of MVCC’s School of STEM-Transfer, will share her unique journey from Pakistan to Utica, N.Y., and her work in science and higher education. Dar will reflect on how her multicultural background and passion for science have shaped her career, while also discussing the challenges and rewards of navigating two cultures.
Fork First: How We Ate Our Way Through Portugal
2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025
MVCC Applied Learning Coordinator Sara Miller and her husband, Ryan Miller, Director of MVCC’s thINCubator, will recount their culinary adventures in Portugal, where they skipped the tourist attractions to follow the local flavors. They will share their experiences in Porto, the Douro River Valley, and Lisbon, where shared meals shaped a travel experience far richer than anything they could have planned.