February 2016: Special Winter Lecture, “Race, Religion & the US Political Climate,” featuring Dr. Miguel De La Torre, Iliff Professor of Social Ethics and Latino/a Studies at Iliff School of Theology, Denver. This event was co-sponsored by The Honorable Leticia Perez, Supervisor, Kern County, 5th District.

January 2015: Special Winter Lecture, “The American Way of Poverty,” New York Times notable author Sasha Abramsky.

January 2014: “If Steinbeck was a Farmer,” featuring David “Mas” Masumoto, renowned organic farmer and author.

March 2013: “Coming Together: Engaging One Another in Civic Conversation,” featuring Rich Harwood, Founder and President of Harwood Institute of Public Innovation.

February 2013: NSM&E/KIE Lecture, “The Role of the Human Element in Technology,” TED Lecturer Ainissa Ramirez.

February 2011: Special KIE 25th Anniversary Lecture, “Whose Global Village? Reflections on Power and Imagination in Today’s World,” famed poet and essayist, Andrei Codrescu.