Theme: Exigency

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Lory Student Center Theatre
Colorado State Uniersity
Lory Student Center Theatre
Fort Collins, Colorado, 80523
United States

Alejandro Jimenez

Restorative Practices Coordinator/Educational Counselor

Alejandro Jimenez is an educator, immigrant, writer, and Emmy-nominated poet from Colima, Mexico. He a multiple time TEDx Speaker and National Poetry Slam Semi-Finalist whose work has appeared in multiple literary anthologies. He has shared his work in sold-out opera houses, rallies, universities & colleges, public and private schools, and cultural events. He lives in Denver, Colorado, and works with youth as Restorative Practices Coordinator, and tries to laugh with his students as much as possible.

Brit Heiring

Communications & Marketing Manager

Brit is a 30-something-year-old human living in Fort Collins,Colorado. Originally from Florida and born to parents of two different ethnicities, Brit grew up surrounded by the richness of a multicultural household along with her four siblings. She set her sights on being the first in her family to go to college and graduated from Florida State University in 2008. After a move to Colorado in 2012, Brit began working at Colorado State University as a communications professional and developed a passion for creating intentional and inclusive marketing. Once she obtained her Master’s degree, Brit started broadening the philosophy of inclusive communications to the greater community and brings her fresh perspective and humorous style to the topic. With ten years of marketing experience under her belt, a witty disposition, and an empathetic approach to bridging differences through communication, Brit is able to relate to a variety of audiences with compassion and effectiveness.

CJ Porter

CEO/Owner of Bot-Man Clothing

Born in Denver Colorado and raised in Aurora by mother Karen Porter. Her and my brother AJ helped guided me in my journey from high school at Aurora Central all the way to college. I decided to go to CSU for its welcoming spirit and it’s at home feeling. At CSU I majored in human development and family studies. I started my clothing line Bot-Man April 11, 2017 in my freshman year dorm room. I aspire after graduate school to be become a psychotherapist helping at adolescents who are minorities or at risk of being in the juvenile system. With hard work and determination I will be graduating from CSU in only three years in May of 2019.

D-L Stewart

Professor, School of Education & Co-Coordinator, Student Affairs in Higher Education

Dr. Dafina-Lazarus (D-L) Stewart (he and they) is professor in the School of Education and Co-Coordinator of Student Affairs in Higher Education and affiliated faculty in the Center for Women’s Studies and Gender Research at Colorado State University. Over the course of his 18-year faculty career, he has focused most intently on the history and philosophy of higher education, as well as institutional systems and structures that affect the postsecondary experiences, growth and development, as well as success of racially minoritized and queer and trans* students. D-L examines these topics through intersectional, critical, and poststructural frameworks that incorporate ableism, religious hegemony, and classism alongside racism, patriarchy, as well as anti-queer/trans antagonism.

Freddie Haberecht

President of the Colorado State University Apicultures Club

Freddie is a second year undergraduate studying Ecosystem Science and Sustainability through Warner College of Natural Resources with a minor in Entomology at Colorado State University.From a young age growing up in Fort Collins he has immersed himself in nature, and has found this relationship life sustaining.He has an abiding passion for the natural world, and gets involved any way he can.From planting trees from seed and grafting apples to keeping bees both in his backyard and at the university serving as the president of the CSU Apiculture Club connection with nature has become an essential part of who Freddie is.He holds the belief that knowledge of the environment or environmental literacy is the first step to developing a true respect for our world, and through that respect grows the need to make a difference for both the benefit of society and environment.He works to be a resource to help others increase their Environmental Literacy and find passion for the environment.

Jaclyn Stephens

Assistant Professor; Dept. of Occupational Therapy

Jaclyn is a cognitive neuroscientist and licensed occupational therapist. Her research evaluates adolescents and young adults with sports-related concussion (SRC) using behavioral measures and neuroimaging techniques, like electroencephalography (EEG), functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Specifically, Jaclyn seeks to better understand the neural physiology of head injury, create innovative behavioral measures for return-to-play evaluations, such as virtual reality assessment tools, and develop rehabilitation interventions that facilitate expedited and safe return to meaningful occupations, like sports and recreation. Outside of work, Jaclyn’s meaningful occupations include: playing and watching sports, spending time with friends and family, catering to her dog and cat, and enjoying outdoor activities in this beautiful state of Colorado.

Jayla Hodge

Opinion Editor for the Rocky Mountain Collegian// Student

Jayla Hodge is a fourth year CSU student majoring in journalism, with minors in political science and business administration. From Littleton, Colorado a school shooting in High School lead Jayla to have an interest in public policy and law. She is the current Opinion Editor at The Rocky Mountain Collegian and works with numerous organizations on campus like Associated Students of Colorado State University, United Women of Color, and Business Diversity Leadership Alliance. Jayla has experience studying policy, laws, and has advocated on behalf of bills in front of committees and Colorado senate. When not trying to improve the CSU community, Jayla can be found reading a book or planning to save the world.

Mainstreet Acapella .

Acapella

Mainstreet is Colorado State University's premier co-ed acapella group. The group has performed at Red Rocks Amphitheatre with FACE Vocal Band, several benefit concerts, music showcases, festivals, competitions, and around CSU. They have also been featured in the Fort Collins Coloradoan, KCSU, CTV, The Rocky Mountain Collegian, and The Denver Post.

Mallory Garneau

Executive Director of FoCo Cafe

Mallory Garneau came to CSU in 2009 from her home in Highlands Ranch as an undeclared major, but it was her experience studying abroad that solidified her interest in making real-world change. She studied sustainable community development at Stellenbosch University, a prestigious institution just 45 minutes inland from Cape Town in South Africa. After receiving a bachelor’s in social work at CSU, she spent time teaching 3rd grade English in Thailand. When she returned to the U.S.,she gained her master’s degree in social work at CSU, all while interning at three different nonprofits in Fort Collins, one of which was FoCo Cafe.Less than a year into her internship, the position of executive director was offered and accepted. Mallory now oversees all Operations there. Through all of this, she found herself enriched by experiences that taught the true meaning and importance of community.Her heart is tucked away in this non-profit cafe where beautiful healthy meals bring all people together.

Mohammed York

Inclusive Community Assistant/Peer Mentor/Peer Coordinator for Colorado State University’s University Housing and The Black African/American Cultural Center

Mohammed York is a native to the Denver/Aurora area in Colorado. He has never been one to shy from the arts, becoming the poster child for the performing arts here at Colorado State University as a dance major. A former member of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Youth Ensemble for 3 years, and half a season as a second company member, as well as a previous guest artist for IMPACT dance company. He has been a moving force of inclusion through the arts, by teaching dance in public schools to performing across the country with many talents. This formerly Crowned Mr. CSU has gone down as a renaissance man that cares for those around him. He hopes to one day make a positive impact on the world through his passions and social justice enlightening inspiration.

OiYan Poon

Assistant Professor, Higher Education Leadership; Director, CSU RISE (Race & Intersectional Studies for Educational Equity) Center

Dr. OiYan Poon is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education Leadership and Director of the Race & Intersectional Studies for Educational Equity (RISE) Center at Colorado State University. Her research focuses on the racial politics and discourses of college access, higher education organization and policy, affirmative action, and Asian Americans. In August 2018, she co-authored an amicus brief on behalf of 531 social scientists in support of race-conscious holistic review in the SFFA v. Harvard federal lawsuit. She is currently working on a national study to understand how race-conscious holistic review works at selective colleges, supported by a grant from the Spencer Foundation. Dr. Poon earned her bachelor’s degree at Boston College, master’s degree in college student affairs at the University of Georgia, and Ph.D. in race and ethnic studies in education and a graduate certificate in Asian American studies from UCLA.