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This student-initiated conference is one of the highlights of the fall semester at Austin College. TEDxAustin College offers a global platform to share the creativity and innovation cultivated on our campus and the greater Austin College community.
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What is TEDx?
TEDx is a grassroots initiative, created in the spirit of TED’s overall mission to research and discover “ideas worth spreading.” TEDx brings the spirit of TED to local communities around the globe through TEDx events. These events are organized by passionate individuals who seek to uncover and share new ideas that spark conversations in their communities. More than 3000 TEDx events are held annually across the globe.
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TEDxAustin College 2026: Renaissance
September 19, 2026
Keep an eye out for event information here and on our socials!
Austin College will host the eleventh annual TEDxAustin College Conference on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in Sally and Jim Nation Theatre and Learning Commons, inside Ida Green Communication Center.
The theme for TEDxAustin College 2026 is Renaissance. A Renaissance is a revival of a long-forgotten mindset, ushering in a new era of thinking. Creativity, innovation, and connection lead to new veins of thought across the sciences and arts. Embrace knowledge and continue learning and inspiration will spread like seeds in the wind. New perspectives and discoveries clarify what truly matters: sharing ideas in a community.
The dawn of a new day is just around the corner. Join us at Renaissance: TEDxAustin College 2026 to imagine past the challenges of today so we can transform the future.
2026 Speakers
Mark Barcus '84, J.D.
Mark Barcus earned a bachelor's degree in communication and media studies from Austin College in 1984, then went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in 1988. Mark has over 25 years of experience as a judge and senior executive, having served most recently as the Assistant Chief Immigration Judge in Los Angelos. In 2025, Mark founded the executive consulting company Inner Loop Performance Coaching, where he integrates conscious leadership, decision-environment awareness, and the idea of the “cognitive village” to help leaders effectively navigate complexity.
Aaron Block, Ph.D.
Dr. Aaron Block grew up in Plano, Texas, and earned a bachelor's degree at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. He continued his education at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in computer science. After completing his postgraduate education, Aaron became a program manager at Microsoft. Most recently, after rekindling his passion for teaching, Aaron came to Austin College in 2010, and currently serves as Associate Professor of Computer Science and the Computer Science Department Chair. Aaron fosters his love of games by sponsoring the campus Dungeons and Dragons Club, where he helps students improve their problem-solving skills and pair them with creativity.
Jeannine Hatt '72, M.D.
Dr. Jeannine Hatt is a pediatrician in Denison, Texas, and has over 45 years of experience in the medical field. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Austin College in 1972 and received a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Jeannine specialized in pediatric medicine and trained at the Bowman Gray Center for Medical Education’s North Carolina Baptist Hospital. She has been involved in international medical volunteer activities since 1990, working mostly in support of services and education at Grace Children’s Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Global health and community service are important to Jeannine, and she volunteers in support of many organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics' Section on Global Health, the Child & Family Guidance Center of Texoma, the health advisory committee for Denison ISD, and the Board of Directors of the Texoma Community Foundation. She is also a member of the Austin College Board of Trustees.
Darian Johannsen ’23
Darian graduated from Austin College in 2023 with a B.A. in Political Science and Education. As a student, Darian was on the team that planned TEDxAustin College 2020 and has been a part of planning TEDxAustin College events from 2020-2025. While a student, Darian was also highly involved in Sigma Phi Chi, AC Observer, and CAB. Darian currently works as the Web Marketing Coordinator for Austin College, where she designs and manages College websites, balancing the technical with the creative to provide accurate information and a positive user experience. She prioritizes bringing joy and peace to herself and others in both her personal and professional spaces. A keen creative hobbyist from photography to journaling, Darian advocates for personal expression as a means to cultivate self-awareness and grace.
Pam Miller, R.R.T.
Pam has worked as a Registered Respiratory Therapist in a variety of settings for 27 years, and currently serves as an educator with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s corporate wellness team. Pam received a bachelor's degree in public health in September 2024 from Capella University. Previously, Pam received her Tobacco Treatment Specialist certification from the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center in 2013 in Rochester, Minnesota and holds a National Certificate in Tobacco Treatment Practice from NAADAC.
Shane Webb '07, M.Div.
Rev. Shane Webb is a Houston native who graduated from Austin College with a B.A. in Spanish and Religious Studies in 2007. He also earned a Master of Divinity from Austin Theological Seminary in 2011 and is currently working on a Doctor of Ministry at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico. Shane and his wife, Sarah, have served in Lima, Peru, as missionaries with the Presbyterian Church (USA) Young Adult Volunteers program, and are frequently a host family for exchange students. Shane is currently serving as pastor at Woodhaven Presbyterian Church in Irving.
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Can’t wait until September?
Check out our YouTube channel to view our past TEDxAustinCollege talks, and stay up to date on our socials!