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This student-initiated conference is one of the highlights of the fall semester at Austin College. TEDxAustinCollege 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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TEDxAustinCollege 2024
Austin College will host the ninth annual TEDxAustinCollege Conference on Saturday, October 5, 2024, in Sally and Jim Nation Theatre and Learning Commons, inside Ida Green Communication Center.
This year’s theme, Illuminate, aims to bring important matters to light by offering a unique platform for thought-provoking discussions and innovative ideas, transforming them from dim flickers to brilliant illuminations. Our panel of dynamic speakers and student-led Discovery Depot activities will ignite insightful discussions that encourage us to explore new perspectives. Join us in this illumination of thought, where valuable insights emerge from the darkness and foster a brighter future for us all. Open your mind, broaden your horizons, and shine the light within you.
2024 Speakers
Dallas Key ’10, J.D.
Dallas graduated from Austin College in 2010 where he studied political science and leadership studies; at AC, he was the Student Body President, and a member of the Posey Leadership Institute, the Chi Tau Chi fraternity, and the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. He then earned his Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech School of Law, and his Master's of Business Administration from the Texas Tech Rawls College of Business. He is currently the Director of Talent Acquisition at Mammoth Holdings, and has managed recruitment at Omni Hotels and Tyler Technologies. He has over a decade of experience in Talent Acquisition and has been recognized as a LinkedIn "Top Recruitment Voice".
Nehal Elramly, Ph.D.
Nehal is currently an educational diagnostician at Plano ISD and an adjunct professor for Sul Ross State University. Nehal is a ’Roo parent; her daughter Noora recently graduated from Austin College.
Shari Barkin, M.D.
Shari is the current Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond and the Division Chief of General Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She graduated from Duke in 1986 with a bachelors in Zoology/ Animal Biology, then went to the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She is a friend of 2023 TEDxAustinCollege speaker Patti Manning-Courtney ’87, who nominated her to speak!
Erik Cabrera-Zamora ’22
Erik graduated from Austin College in 2022 where he studied business administration and participated in mock trial. Today, he is a second-year law student at the University of North Texas at Dallas in pursuit of a Juris Doctorate.
Nino Fincher
Nino is a Rapid Transformational Therapist in Sherman, Texas. She has been a speaker at multiple different events including a TEDx event! She has also lived in three different cultures which gives her a unique perspective on life.
Deedee Jansen ’25
Deedee is a current student at Austin College and will graduate in 2025. She is studying engineering physics, theatre, and math. Deedee is also part of the honor society Alpha Psi Omega.
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A special Thank You to this year's sponsors!
