Theme: Moment[um]

TEDxValparaisoUniversity will celebrate ideas worth sharing associated with our theme, "Moment[um]"

The direction of our lives and our impact on the world (momentum) is constructed piece-by-piece from many different actions and experiences (moments). We use square brackets to highlight these two ideas separately in our theme and logo. Another important idea behind our theme is that moments of hesitation, represented by the "um" which is set in brackets, could slow momentum if they are too frequent or long-lasting.

The ideas behind "Moment[um]" affect people in different ways. For a mechanical engineer, 'moment' might refer to the way that physical objects influence each other. For businesspeople, maintaining momentum might mean that a product's successor should be released just before interest in the first product begins to decline.

Duesenberg Recital Hall
1709 Chapel Drive
Valparaiso, Indiana, 46383
United States

Adam Green

Political activist and student

Adam Green is a second-year student of the James Madison College at Michigan State University where he is pursuing his pre-law major in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy. Adam is the President and founder of the James Madison College Conservatives, a student organization on campus devoted to promoting opportunities for people to engage in bipartisan civil discourse across Michigan State and in Lansing. Adam has always possessed a passion for speaking with those around him regarding social topics, governmental policy matters, and historical facts and events. Ranging from policy forums, small group debates, and candidate town-halls, Adam has helped host over twenty different platforms of opportunities for students to engage in civil discourse on campus this past year alone.He has found that the necessity for civil discourse in our society to exist is essential to the health and well-being of our nations, our society, and our own self interests.

Andrea Jamison

Diversity fellow and Valparaiso University librarian

Andrea Jamison is a librarian and lecturer at Valparaiso University. She holds a Master of Art in Teaching from Concordia University and a Master of Library and Information Science from Dominican University where she is also completing her doctoral studies. With over 17 years of experience working in schools and libraries, Andrea considers herself to be a social agitator. She was recently selected as reading ambassador for diverse children's books by Lee and Low Publishing. As an ambassador, Andrea speaks internationally on issues related to creating inclusive learning spaces for youth and the interplay of race, power, and privilege in children's books. Currently, she is a board member for ALA's Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Roundtable's and serves as chair for the David Cohen/Multicultural Awards. She also works extensively with ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom as a contributing blogger and member of their prison rights and collection development working groups.

Brian McKenna

Social worker

Brian McKenna LCSW, CAADC earned his BSW degree from Valparaiso University (’92), and his MSW degree from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is a practicing licensed clinical social worker and a certified advanced alcohol and drug counselor in the state of Illinois. Brian has over 25 years of counseling experience helping children, teens and adults tap into their strengths, endure challenges, and achieve their life’s goals. He inspires and motivates people to become healthier, happier and more connected in their relationships and families. Have you ever considered what momentum is all about? Come learn three parts of the equation to building personal momentum: connection, reflection, and direction. Approach life by repeatedly making the most of the moment, and personal momentum will be created.

Ellen Lin

Entrepreneur

Ellen Lin is a 7-Figure E-commerce Entrepreneur, E-Commerce Coach, Amazon Best Selling Author, International Speaker who spoke at a Fortune 500 Company. She was also featured on Grant Cardone TV, The Huffington Post, ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox. Her core mission is to use her knowledge in e-commerce to teach and empower others so everyone can create the lifestyle they want by selling online by using based on her success story of building a million dollar e-commerce store with $600 in 4 years.

Herb Stepherson

Recovering heroin addict and nationally certified family recovery coach

Herb Stepherson is a person living in long term recovery. He struggled with the nightmares of heroin and crack addiction for thirteen years. His addictions destroyed him and his entire family. At times he prayed for death and contemplated suicide. He has been jailed, overdosed multiple times, and ate out of garbage cans to sustain himself. He was one that many considered to be "A lost cause". Mr. Stepherson credits God for stepping in to intervene and redirect him to a life of recovery. Since he has found recovery, Herb has dedicated his life to spreading awareness of our increasing drug crisis and helping those still struggling find recovery! He is a Nationally Certified Family Recovery Coach, an NCFRC with USA Addiction and True Interventions, the author of "Junkbox Diaries - a Day in the Life of a Heroin Addict", and an advocate for recovery. He truly believes that recovery is possible and lives his entire life always aiming to help "Just one more".

Kyle Chezem

Middle school teacher and pastor.

For over 25 years Kyle Chezem has been motivating young people to strive for success and engage their community. Serving as a social studies teacher, youth pastor, and basketball coach, Kyle has been an influential member of the LaPorte community. He has served as a delegate for the Fulbright Teaching program to Japan, as well as volunteering as a teaching instructor at an underprivileged school in India. Kyle lives in LaPorte with his beautiful, amazing, and patient wife Heather and their 2 kids.

Margaret Heinz

Student

Margaret Heinz is a sophomore at Valparaiso University where she studies Criminology, Biology, and Chemistry while also being on the pre-med track. She participates in many activities on campus including College Mentors for Kids, Athena Society, Celebrate band, SALT, VUDU, YoungLife, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. She also works as a math tutor. After undergraduate studies, she aspires to go to medical school somewhere along the West Coast and study to be a pediatric or trauma surgeon. She grew up in Dundee, Illinois but would like to move to either New York or California in the coming years. She is very excited to be participating in the TEDx program this year and hopes you enjoy her talk.

Nancy Scannell

Assistant Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Valparaiso University

Nancy Scannell is an Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, directs the Exploratory Program and has taught Core, English and General Studies courses at Valpo. She earned her BA in English at the University of Illinois and studied abroad in Cardiff, Wales. Nancy’s Master of Arts in Education is from St. Xavier University, and her Master of Science in Digital Media from Valparaiso University. She is a leadership coach, and she serves on the Foundation Board at Porter-Starke Services. She was on the Valparaiso Y Board and was Race Director for the Saint Paul Spirit Run for ten years. Nancy and her husband Tim are from Chicago, and they have five children, Kathleen, Elizabeth, Brendan, Brigid and Kevin, and two grandchildren, Eileen and Charlie. Nancy is a runner and writer and lover of God, family, friends, and books. She shares inspiration on her blog ReflectionsontheRun.com.

Paromita Mitra

Aerospace engineer and former Miss Mississippi

Paromita Mitra works at NASA Johnson Space Center as a Human Interface Engineer for NASA’s next-generation spacesuits. Her research encompasses graphical displays, wearable technology, augmented reality, and developing a heads-up display helmet apparatus to aid in astronaut performance, cognitive workload, and user experience. She has held positions working as an engineer on F-35 engines, designing Earth science satellites, and analyzing human psycho-physiology & cognitive behavior for software development. A first-generation immigrant from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Paromita represented the state of Mississippi at the Miss USA & Miss Teen USA pageants as Miss Mississippi USA 2013 & Miss Mississippi Teen USA 2009, where she traveled to spread awareness on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, & math) literacy topics. Paromita holds master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Mississippi State University. Her passions include diversity in tech and issues of femininity in engineering.

Stefanie Mockler

Organizational psychologist, consultant, and leadership coach

Stefanie is an organizational psychologist and leadership coach on a mission to identify, elevate, and develop strong leaders and inclusive organizations. She is driven by being a young Mom, avid dog lover, and lifelong learner who wants to make the world a better place. Through her assessment and coaching with Vantage Leadership Consulting, Stefanie has realized the fundamental difference that authentic, people-focused leaders make, not just in improving business results but in positively impacting employees’ lives. Great leadership matters to individuals, teams, and organizations as a whole. Stefanie shares her experiences, insight, and learnings on her website and blog, The Female Leader’s Edge, a personal passion project she recently launched. Her work through The Female Leader’s Edge builds a local and online community of women and allies who, like her, believe that when we support one another and drive inclusion, we can rise up and change the world.

Zachary Diamond

Online privacy advocate and student

Zach Diamond is a senior Computer Science Major with Business Analytics and Mathematics Minors at Valparaiso University. He is currently taking graduate courses for a Cyber Security Masters program, the area he plans to focus his career in. Zach’s involvements have included serving on the University Programming Council (UPC) executive board as Productions Chair, Concert & Entertainment Chair, and Vice President. Additionally, he has served as Lambda Chi Alpha’s Social Chair and President. These opportunities have pushed him to grow as a person, as a professional, and as a leader. These experiences have allowed him to build important relationships with his peers and advisors. Zach currently works as a Software Developer at Dwyer Instruments where he has worked on many different projects including troubleshooting and researching various forms of security related services in the Information Technology (IT) department.