On April 8, Henry Ford College came alive with the sights, sounds, and flavors of cultures from around the world as Globe Fest 2026 made its long-awaited return to campus. Students, faculty, and staff gathered to experience five unique cultural showcases, each representing a different corner of the globe: Ireland, Guatemala, Mexico, South Korea, and Lebanon. The energy was undeniable, and the message was clear: the world is well-represented right here in Dearborn.

Globe Fest has a rich history at HFC. First launched in 1996 by the Council of World Cultures (CWC), formerly known as the Council of American Cultures, the event was created to bring the campus community together and celebrate the many cultures that make HFC what it is. Over the years, the event has evolved significantly. After concerns that it had drifted away from its educational roots, organizers paused Globe Fest in 2009 and 2010 to rethink its direction. When it returned in 2011, student clubs took the lead, giving the event a stronger educational focus and a renewed sense of creativity and purpose.

This year’s edition was especially meaningful because it marked Globe Fest’s comeback after yet another pause, this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which kept the event off campus from 2020 through 2024. After 2025’s one-year relaunch, Globe Fest 2026 arrived with fresh momentum and a new addition. For the first time, HFC departments participated alongside student clubs, broadening the event’s reach across the entire college community.

According to Dr. Fluker, Globe Fest continues to have a lasting impact on the college community. She described it as an event where “many members of the campus community walk away with a ‘feel-good’ feeling,” emphasizing that it brings people together to celebrate diversity and reflects the college’s values of inclusion and respect. She also noted that the event strengthens students’ sense of belonging and reinforces HFC’s identity as a welcoming institution.

Before 2026, Dr. Fluker explained that the purpose of Globe Fest was two-fold: to promote diversity awareness, understanding, and appreciation, and to serve as a fundraiser for the CWC International Student Scholarship. This year, however, the event faced fundraising challenges and was instead offered free of charge, with no money raised. She noted that this decision ultimately improved equity and ensured that all students could participate fully.

Dr. Fluker explained that students were able to enjoy hot, nutritious food while also exploring new cuisines from around the world. New additions, such as passports, added an interactive element, allowing attendees to collect stamps from each country they visited and take home a keepsake from the experience. The passports were a hit and quickly became one of the day’s most talked-about touches. A selfie station with cultural backdrops also gave students a fun way to engage with the event. Fluker said these additions helped to enhance the overall college experience and student connection.

Also new this year, participation expanded beyond student clubs to include HFC departments. Each group brought their own creativity and cultural knowledge to the floor, transforming their tables into immersive windows into their assigned country. The 2026 participants were the HFC Eshleman Library (Ireland–Europe), HFC New Student Orientation (Guatemala–North America), the Hispanic & Latino Student Association (Mexico–North America), One-Step Ahead (South Korea–Asia), and Phi Theta Kappa (Lebanon–Middle East). Groups were evaluated on their country’s presentations, customer service, table activities, and cultural attire. The Hispanic & Latino Student Association earned first place in the Globe Fest contest and will celebrate with a pizza party. The contest did not include stage entertainment, as not all countries were represented in that category.

Dr. Fluker also highlighted how events like Globe Fest help build community on campus. As one of the most diverse institutions in the region, HFC benefits from opportunities that bring people together to learn, share traditions, and celebrate differences. She emphasized that these experiences help students realize that, despite differences, people often share more in common than they expect.

She also praised the work of participating clubs and departments, noting the months of preparation that go into the event. Dr. Fluker expressed appreciation for their dedication, sharing that Globe Fest continues to improve each year due to their commitment. With the addition of HFC departments this year, she hopes the event will continue to grow into a truly campus-wide celebration.

Globe Fest is more than a campus event. It is a reminder that the diversity within HFC’s walls is one of its greatest strengths, and that understanding begins with curiosity. Sponsored by the Council of World Cultures and coordinated by HFC student clubs, Globe Fest provides a space where cultures are not just acknowledged but genuinely celebrated. As the event continues to grow and welcome new participants each year, Globe Fest stands as living proof that HFC is not just diverse by numbers. Still, it’s a community that actively chooses to celebrate that diversity together.