Theme: Tapestries

TEDxSHSU 2023 took place on November 2, 2023, in the Lowman Student Center White Ballroom at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

Our theme for TEDxSHSU 2023 was “Tapestries.” Each speaker and participant at TEDxSHSU was an essential thread – weaving the future together by sharing and dialoguing about big ideas.

The event was organized into three two-hour sessions.
Session 1: 9:00-11:00 AM
Session 2: 1:00-3:00 PM
Session 3: 3:30-5:30 PM

Thank you to all of our speakers, volunteers, and audience members.

Sam Houston State University - Lowman Student Center
1717 Avenue J
Huntsville, Texas, 77340
United States

Andy Noble

Science Worth Dancing About

Andy Noble is Co-Artistic Director of NobleMotion Dance and a Professor at Sam Houston State University. Andy’s body of work includes 21 evening-length productions and over 150 dances. His focus on innovation and interdisciplinary work has led to collaborations with neuroscientists, A.I. designers, industrial designers, light artists, composers, poets, musicians, and photographers. Most notably, he worked with Academy Award winner John Ridley to create original choreography featured on the Emmy Award Winning and Golden Globe Nominated ABC TV show “American Crime.” His work has been performed internationally and presented at The Kennedy Center, The Lincoln Center, and Wolf Trap for the Performing Arts. Additionally, his choreography has been presented by Repertory Dance Theatre, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Bruce Wood Dance. Andy is an educator, performer, and choreographer, and his work directing NobleMotion has led to the organization being awarded Houston’s Best Dance Company.

Angela McCants

Seasoned Conversations on the What Ifs: A Realtor’s Perspective

Angela McCants is a luxury broker associate in Dallas, Texas. A native to the vibrant heart of Dallas, Angela has cultivated a deep understanding of the local real estate landscape, making her a trusted advisor in one of the nation’s most dynamic housing markets for over two decades. Angela also holds dual certification as a Senior Advisor and Senior Housing Professional. Angela has been married for 29 years and is the proud mother of four children. Her passion for fostering connections and providing support led her to found and moderate “Seasoned Conversations,” a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating meaningful discussions and providing resources for seniors and their families.

Anthony Timmons

Reclaiming Joy after Tragedy

Anthony Timmons is a senior at Sam Houston State University, majoring in kinesiology and pursuing physical therapy. Anthony has a deep passion for health science and fitness and for promoting student health and wellness. He serves as a member of the Student Health and Wellness Advisory Board and the College of Health Sciences Dean’s Advisory Committee. In addition, Anthony is a group fitness instructor with the SHSU Rec Center, teaching yoga and different fitness classes. Anthony has also worked extensively with the kinesiology department and regularly volunteers with the College of Health Sciences. Anthony is a big advocate for promoting mental health awareness and teaches mindfulness and meditation. In his free time, he loves to read, garden, and make wine.

Charise Lincoln

Education is a Privilege: Perseverance in College

Charise Lincoln is a first-generation student at Sam Houston State University, with a Psychology major and Astronomy minor. Aside from pursuing psychological research in trauma and nature therapy using astronomy, she is a part of TRIO SSS, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and a previous member of the Freshman Leadership Program.

Deji Akingbade

The Empathy Equation: E=P2

Deji Akingbade is an experienced business leader and philosopher from Dallas, Texas. He is a mentor and loves to share his business and philosophical insights with others via his LinkedIn newsletter. When not working, Deji likes to spend his time being active or watching old 80’s action movies.

Francisco "Paco" Usero-González

Unlocking Potential: Bilingual Learners, Dyslexia, and the Path to Inclusive Education

Dr. Francisco “Paco” Usero-González, an Assistant Professor in the Bilingual Education Program at Sam Houston State University, has 15 years of diverse K-12 educational experience across Spain, the UK, France, and the USA. He holds multiple BA and MEd degrees in Education and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. He has garnered recognition and awards for his contributions to education, with a research focus on neurobiological specific learning disabilities and the needs of Spanish-speaking emergent bilingual students. His passion for multilingual and multicultural education is evident through innovative instructional technology exploration, family engagement, and the implementation of the Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) to empower Hispanic bilingual students. Driven by a dedication to advancing the field, he shares insights through publications in esteemed journals and presentations at national and international conferences.

Joseph S. Galati

Shifting Your Food Mindset

Dr. Joe Galati is a liver disease expert, researcher, educator, and author, with over 32 years of experience. A native of Long Island, NY, he was raised in a family where good nutrition and family were ways of life. Today, his practice, Liver Specialists of Texas, is devoted to the care of patients with all facets of liver diseases. Dr. Galati is the Medical Director of the Sherrie and Alan Conover Center for Liver Disease & Transplanta­tion at Houston Methodist Hospital. A graduate of Syracuse University, his postgraduate training in internal medicine, gastroenterology, hepatology, and transplant medicine took place in New York City and the University of Nebraska. Since 2003, Dr. Galati has created consumer-oriented radio program­ming on health and wellness, hosting “Your Health First,” heard each weekend on the iHeart Radio network. He recently published an Amazon best-selling book, “Eating Yourself Sick,” sharing with readers strategies to avoid chronic disease.

Kelbi Delaune

The Super Predator You Know Nothing About

Dr. Kelbi Delaune is a multifaceted academic driven by a passion for nature and thirst for knowledge. With a diverse background, she has excelled in various fields, combining her skills in communication with her love for nature. She earned a BFA in Theatre before embarking on a career in the sciences, where she went on to receive her PhD in aquatic ecology. Throughout her journey, she has developed a deep appreciation for the value of strong mentors and believes in the transformational power of education. Kelbi has worked with learners of all ages in teaching formally as well as STEM outreach and engagement, encouraging all to become lifelong learners. With a track record of over 40 research presentations and invited speaking engagements, she seeks to bridge the gap between academia and society, making science accessible and exciting.

Kendra "Birdie" Rodrigue

Doodle Away Your Fears and Worries

Kendra “Birdie” Rodrigue is an undergraduate honors student at Sam Houston State University. She was born in Sugar Land, TX, then moved to Katy when she was 12, where she later graduated from Cinco Ranch High School. She is studying environmental science and hopes to do field work in the future. She is a nature lover and avid birdwatcher, but also enjoys video games and calls with friends. She has been treated for anxiety for over four years, and wants to share her journey toward her happiest self.

Krista Tippett

3 Practices for Wisdom and Wholeness

Pre-recorded at the TED2023 Conference. How do we stand before the pain and promise of the world and keep hope and courage alive? Journalist and podcast host Krista Tippett has spent a career interviewing some of the world’s wisest people in search of answers to that question. Listen along as she offers three practices to help you make sense of what it means to be human right now — and how to live in a way that helps remake the world for the better.

Lisa Connor

Loss to Legacy Through Research: A Mother’s Story

Lisa Connor is a Research & Instruction Librarian supporting the College of Health Sciences at Sam Houston State University. She earned a BS in Nutrition from Pennsylvania State University and MS in Library & Information Science from Drexel University. She also completed a grant-funded course of study from Simmons University to earn an Advanced Inter-professional Informationist Certificate. In her role, she supports faculty and students through education and consultation of evidence-based information resources. She is an Assistant Professor with research interests supported by National Institutes of Health funding for engagement with the “All of Us” Research Program, which motivates her passion for the promise of data to advance and accelerate personalized medicine and rare disease treatments.

Nita Farahany

Your Right to Mental Privacy in the Age of Brain Sensing Tech

Pre-recorded at the TED2023 Conference. Neurotechnology, or devices that let you track your own brain activity, could help you deeply understand your health. But without privacy protections, your innermost thoughts, emotions and desires could be at risk of exploitation, says neurotech and AI ethicist Nita Farahany. She details some of the field's promising potential uses -- like tracking and treating diseases from depression to epilepsy -- and shares concerns about who collects our brain data and how they plan to use it, ultimately calling for the legal recognition of “cognitive liberty” as we connect our brains and minds to technology.

Pavi Theva

Elevating Your Mission Through Social Media

Pavi Theva is a Life and Career Success Coach, Mindfulness Teacher, Podcast Host, and Speaker in the realm of self-growth. She is passionate about helping individuals unlock their full potential. With a focus on college students, graduates, corporate professionals, and entrepreneurs, she guides individuals in creating fulfilling careers in alignment with their ‘Dharma’—the true essence of who they are. Pavi assists her clients in connecting with their career goals, achieving peak performance, up-leveling their mindset in both life and work, building confidence, and ultimately creating lives and careers of which they can be proud. Pavi earned her Masters in Information Systems from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. Her experience includes leading business and product strategies for Silicon Valley startups, Big 4 consulting firms, and high-tech companies such as Amazon.

Sarah Swift

What Do You Want (To Be) When You Grow Up?

Sarah Swift is a senior honors student at Sam Houston State University, pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre. She is the 2024 Miss Houston titleholder as part of the Miss America Scholarship Organization and has spoken to hundreds of children in her community about the importance of personal health and spending time outdoors. She also had the opportunity to share her platform on live television on the Miss Texas stage. She has a podcast, “Lemonade Lifestyle,” where she explores finding the good in life and taking opportunities as they are thrown in your path. She enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and playing board games in her free time. Sarah plans to graduate in Spring 2024 and continue spreading her passions for health and positivity, both on the stage and in everyday life in her community.

Tavares Strachan

The Encyclopedia of Invisibility: A Home for Lost Stories

Pre-recorded at the TED2023 Conference. Conceptual artist Tavares Strachan creates the kinds of projects that make you stop in your tracks, like a 4.5-ton block of Arctic ice he brought back to his birthplace in the Bahamas or a gold, Egyptian-inspired sculpture he launched into orbit around the Earth. Now he presents his latest creation, the Encyclopedia of Invisibility: a 3,000-page tome filled with more than 17,000 entries on people, places and events often left out of the history books — and encourages us all to unearth hidden stories before they disappear to the passage of time.