As part of this year’s Speaker Series, Olympian Michelle Kwan spoke on Monday about her time as a skater and in her new career as a State Department senior adviser for public diplomacy and public affairs, as well as her identity as an Asian-American.

With the help of carry-forward funds from last year, Student Union devoted its most significant budget in several years to its 2014-15 Speaker Series. Assuming that the funded speakers have schedules amenable to coming, this year’s selection promises to end up as one of the best in recent memory.

With an increased budget of $170,000, Student Union groups plan to bring bigger names in higher quantities, including LeVar Burton of “Reading Rainbow” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and Michelle Kwan, Olympic figure skater and public diplomacy ambassador.

After six hours of presentations, discussion and voting, Student Union allocated money for authors Sheryl WuDunn and Mary Roach, activist Geoffrey Canada, scientist Steven Squyres and “Sopranos” actor Joe Pantoliano to speak on campus this year.