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).

Performing Arts Centre, SUNY Potsdam
SUNY POTSDAM
44 PIERREPONT AVE
POTSDAM, New York, 13676
United States

Janet Sussman

Janet Sussman is currently Associate Professor of Costume Design and History at the SUNY Potsdam. Her recent costume designs at Potsdam include The Amazing Adventures of the Marvelous Monkey King, Ragtime, and Ruined. She received her MFA in design from The University of Texas at Austin. Off and Off-off Broadway designs include Five Women Waiting at the Open Door Theatre and The Refreshment of the Spirits at the Provincetown Playhouse. She was the Resident Costume Designer for the Department of Dramatic Writing at NYU TISCH for eight years. She has designed costumes for numerous plays at Stageworks in Hudson NY including Brutal Imagination, Play by Play, Dog Stories, I Am My Own Wife and Falling A Wake. Janet is proud of her work for Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in the area of Design. She earned the Kennedy Center gold medallion for her work as the Chair of Design in Region II.

Jess Melendez

Jess is from Brooklyn, New York. She is a third-year early childhood education major with a specialization in English. In her leisure, she enjoys reading suspense and mystery novels, as well as drawing and painting.

Jessica Hurlbut

Jessica Hurlbut graduated in Spring 2020 with her M.S.T. in Childhood Education from SUNY Potsdam. She is a mom of five children: two adopted, two with autism, and one future president. Jessica had the privilege of competing on Season 8 of American Ninja Warrior with the hopes of spreading her message of adoption within the Foster Care System. Unsettled by this massive need in our country, Jessica and her husband Greg organized a National Day Adoption Run where Jessica attempted to run 110 miles around St Lawrence County in a 24-hour time frame. Jessica and Greg are local pastors at New Testament Church in Massena, NY.

Jim Fryer

Jim Fryer is an Associate Professor of Psychology at SUNY Potsdam. His research focuses on motivation and personality – essentially, why we do what we do, and what makes us who we are.

Joe Pease

Joe is a senior student in the Department of Theatre and Dance. He has been a stage performer since childhood and has participated in many stage productions in musical theatre, straight plays, and spoken word seminars. He is more than honored to be a part of an opportunity to speak out on meaningful topics and experiences in hopes of making some sort of a difference in doing so.

Jordan Quiles

Jordan is SUNY Potsdam graduate. Jordan graduated from SUNY Potsdam in May of 2020 with a bachelors in Theater and Dance. Over the course of Jordan’s academic career, Jordan has choreographed a number of dance pieces and stage managed many productions here at SUNY Potsdam. Jordan looks forward to sharing this TEDx Talk with everyone.

Karen Kus

Karen Kus is a lifelong educator who specializes in preparing students and alumni to be effectively equipped for their career trajectory. Currently, Karen is the assistant director for Career Services in the Lougheed Center for Applied Learning at SUNY Potsdam. She has taught a number of courses in career development and experiential education while working at various institutions. She has a background in teaching gender studies as a former adjunct lecturer at St. Lawrence University and the University of Toronto Mississauga. She aims to apply her professional and academic background in feminism and social justice to her work as a career coach and her community-based initiatives. Karen is currently working on her second master’s degree in Higher Education Administration at Stony Brook University. She graduated with a Master of Education in Adult Education and Community Development at OISE, University of Toronto.

Kathleen Mahoney

Kathleen Mahoney is an artist, designer and educator, focused on the artist and viewer experience. Kathleen started her career in NYC, as an Art Director in Publishing, while also showing her paintings internationally. Kathleen earned her MFA from Pratt Institute in 2010, her thesis focused on the relationship between artist and viewer. She incorporated painting, video and computer code to create an interactive media piece where the viewer became the artwork. Kathleen is currently working on her PhD, also interactive, incorporating culture and auto ethnographic storytelling. Kathleen teaches graphic design, video, and game design in the Art Department at SUNY Potsdam.

Mei Shen

Mei Shen is an assistant professor of special education at SUNY Potsdam. Mei Shen completed her doctoral degree in Special Education at Michigan State University, with a graduate specialization in language and literacy education. Dr. Shen teaches a variety of special education courses, and her research focuses on literacy assessment and instruction for struggling learners, particularly those with mild/moderate disabilities. She is particularly interested in evidence-based instructional practices to help improve reading/writing performance and establish positive reader’s/writer’s identity for these struggling students.

Mino Lora

Mino Lora is an artist, activist, educator, and the Executive Director of People's Theatre Project (PTP). Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, she moved to the U.S. at 19 years old to attend Manhattanville College where she earned her B.A. in English Literature & Theatre; and later, her M.A. in Peace Studies & Conflict Transformation from The Graduate Institute.