Jonathan Jansen is Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State and also President of the South African Institute of Race Relations. His lecture entitled "Using Global(ized) Thinking in Breaking Down Barriers to Human Togetherness in a Former White University" was delivered March 7, 2014.

The Global Perspectives Speaker Series hosts a wide array of prominent public servants, scholars, and activists whose professional accomplishments demonstrate impact and leadership on the global stage. The series is an initiative of the School of Global and International Studies (SGIS) in the College of Arts and Sciences. Established in 2012, the School of Global and International Studies offers opportunities for interdisciplinary learning and research, providing students with the global competencies and leadership skills needed in the 21st century.