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).

UAM Fine Arts Center
371 University Drive
Monticello, Arkansas, 71655
United States

Carol Strong

Associate Professor of Political Science

Dr. Carol Strong is an Associate Professor in Political Science at the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM), where she has worked since January 2008. As a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, she received her M.A. in European Studies from Monash University (Australia), then went on to complete her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Melbourne (Australia).She has been a member of the Council for Undergraduate Research (CUR) and a Councilor for the Social Sciences Division (SSD) since 2012. She took 120 students to 36 state/national/international conferences (including San Juan Puerto, Rico; Berlin and Oldenburg, Germany, and Doha, Qatar), supervised 10 papers that were finalists/winners in state/national/international competitions, supervised or co-supervised 4 projects receiving grants from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, prepared teams for group simulation competitions and facilitated 6 field study programs to major U.S. cities.

Derrick Noble

CEO of The Derrick Noble Group, LLC

Dr. Derrick Lewis Noble overcame years of speech therapy for a severe stutter and speech impediment to become an award winning motivational/inspirational speaker and trainer, having been cited as one of the top 20 young speakers in America (“The African American Pulpit” Magazine). He began speaking in front of large crowds as a teenager and has been a highly sought after keynote speaker now for more than 20 years, and is a past member of the National Speakers Association. In the corporate world, he has conducted skills training and has presented on topics as diverse as peak performance, negotiation skills, educational excellence, and leadership in the workplace.

Erin Clement

Single Parent Student

Erin Clement is a full time student and single mother with a passion for education. She is currently in her final year at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and plans to pursue a Master of Social Work after graduation. She is a strong advocate for providing educational childcare options to all student parents and started the PICNIC (Parents In College Need In-House Childcare) movement.

Hans Hacker

Associate Professor of Political Science

Dr. Hans J. Hacker is associate professor in the Department of Political Science at Arkansas State University where he teaches constitutional law and civil rights jurisprudence. His research has been the basis for two columns in the New York Times, and a segment on CNN Newsroom with Poppy Harlow. His publications include Seasonal Effective Disorder: Clerk Training and the Success of Supreme Court certiorari Petitions (with William D. Blake and Shon R. Hopwood, Law & Society Review,2015), The Brooding Spirit of the Law (with William D. Blake, Justice Systems Journal, 2010), The Culture of Conservative Christian Litigation (Roman and Littlefield, 2005), and various articles and publications in the areas of constitutional law, law and society and public administration. Dr. Hacker’s current research focuses on innovative teaching techniques in undergraduate public law curricula, and the contrasting values of American Pragmatism and modern rights doctrines.

Jennifer Lynn Robinson

CEO of Purposeful Networking

Jennifer Lynn Robinson, Esquire is the CEO of Purposeful Networking. Her services include consulting, keynotes and workshops for individuals, law firms, companies, non-profits, universities and conferences to help build strategic networking skills. She has been featured in local and national media including CBS, NBC, PHL17, FOX, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune and Philadelphia Magazine. Some of the recognition Jennifer has received includes: Top Small Business Influencer of 2018 (Fit Business), one of the 45 Philly Business Influencers to Follow on Twitter 2018 (Philadelphia Magazine), “Best Networker” 2018 (Philly Current Magazine), and “Power Woman” 2017 (Main Line Today). She received her Bachelor of Arts from Haverford College and her law degree from Villanova School of Law. Jennifer holds certifications in Event Planning, Non-Profit Management and Conflict Resolution. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband Walter and their 2 rescue pitbulls Jake and Lilly.

Newton Miller

Associate Dean

Dr. Newton Miller is an Associate Dean in the College of Education (CoE) at Ashford University. He has been committed to the education arena since 1992 when converted non-traditionally from the ranks of the engineering field. His research interest lies within educating at-potential populations, focusing on the systemic thinking tied to student achievement, effective school cultures and facilitating programming and instruction that promotes educational success within non-traditional adult populations. Dr. Miller’s dream job was as a Structural Engineer until he stood in front of a classroom of knowledge-hungry, inner-city students. It was at that moment he knew his true purpose and career path was to be an educator. Dr. Miller believes educators are the foundations that stimulate the thinking that changes the world, thus his mantra is: Educate … Motivate … Help Them Grow!

Steve Fredlund

Nonprofit Director

For 30 years, Steve Fredlund served in a variety of actuarial roles bringing innovative analytical solutions to Fortune 500 companies. Steve co-founded and volunteers as Executive Director of a nonprofit doing humanitarian work in northern Rwanda, where he has traveled four times. These trips have fueled Steve’s resolve to live more authentically; to live what he calls, “The Safari Life.” Steve and his wife have three grown children; he is an avid poker player and host of the RecPoker podcast.

Suzanna Guizar

Assistant Professor of Exercise Science

Dr. Suzanna Guizar is an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science for the University of Arkansas at Monticello where she teaches Education, Health, Anatomical Kinesiology and various Exercise Science courses. Suzanna earned her B.S. in Kinesiology at San Diego State University, M.S. in Psychology from the University of Phoenix, and her PhD in Community Health Promotion from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Suzanna is a published author and received the Lecturer of the Year from the United States Sports Academy, Malaysia in 2015. Suzanna is a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA, CPT) Certified Personal Trainer. She is happily married for over 36 years.