News & Updates

TEDxTexasStateUniversity Celebrates Ten Years

The TEDxTexasStateUniversity team hosted its 10th annual TEDx event on Saturday, February 22. The theme of this year’s event was legacy.

On November 8, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson, alumnus of Texas State University (then Southwest Texas State College), signed into law the Higher Education Act of 1965 on our campus in San Marcos, Texas. One of the primary aims of the legislation was "to strengthen the educational resources of our colleges and universities.” The 2025 TEDx event celebrated the 60th anniversary of the signing of this bill and its lasting legacy, with speakers representing a variety of fields and perspectives including technology, health, the arts, media, social sciences, the humanities, and the natural sciences.

This year’s event featured seven speakers discussing various subjects surrounding the theme legacy, exploring the legislation’s impact on higher education, the limitless possibilities within education, and the promising future of education.

• Andy Bell is a Former Director of Innovation & Ecosystems at LEGO Education and currently serves as CEO of Thinkery, a premiere Children's Museum in Austin. Andy is driven to create a meaningful impact in the world by reimagining education to bring a lifelong love of learning to ALL kids. As a cancer survivor, engineer, educator, father, public speaker, and executive leader, his relentless focus is finding the potential in all things and collaboratively building innovative solutions to ensure today's youth thrive. He passionately works as an advocate and educator for joyful learning serving on the Advisory Board for SXSW EDU, the Champions Board for the Greater Austin STEM Ecosystem, and the Board of Directors for the Center for Engineering and Education Outreach at Tufts University. Andy discussed how the US education system needs not just an evolution, but a revolution to help ensure that children become critical thinkers. He shared the elements needed to reimagine our learning environments and experiences.
• Sergio Carvajal-Leoni is a storyteller, researcher, and cultural advocate with over two decades of experience telling stories across multiple platforms, including film, music, interactive media, and live events. Based in Texas, he is the creator of italchannel.tv, an edutainment platform celebrating Italian culture, as well as El Gallo and the Texas cult film Tiramisu for Two. His film work has been featured at renowned festivals, including Tribeca, South by Southwest, and Traverse City. His recent documentary series, Education is Boring, spotlights innovative approaches to make learning more engaging, reflecting his commitment to connecting communities through media and storytelling as tools for entertainment-education. Sergio is the founder of Tiburon Transmedia, a boutique communications shop based in Austin, Texas, where he collaborates with clients from local organizations to global corporations. Sergio’s talk highlighted the power of intergenerational learning and how we can use digital tools to collect and preserve the stories of our elder family members.  
• Dr. Aitiana Sanchez-Garciaguirre is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at Texas State University. Her research interests focus on resilience, mental health, and alcohol use, particularly among Hispanic college students. She is passionate about investigating the role of Minority Stress Theory in understanding how marginalized students navigate psychological stress and adversity in higher education settings. Her work aims to design and evaluate interventions, such as 'Transforming Lives Through Resilience Education,' to bolster resilience and mental well-being in this population. Dr. Sanchez-Garciaguirre’s primary population of interest is Hispanic college students, and her research seeks to examine resilience interventions for diverse populations impacted by stress, mental illness, and addiction. She is also involved in developing tailored interventions for students experiencing mental illness or distress. Dr. Sanchez-Garciaguirre’s talk focused on how resilience can be cultivated, passed down, and strengthened across generations. 
• Dr. Omar Lopez, a Professor in the Department of Organization, Workforce, and Leadership Studies, is a STEM Higher Education Reformer. A proud native of south Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, his passion lies in using transdisciplinary methodologies to solve some of the thorniest problems confronting society's most vulnerable populations. His recent research examines the nexus between higher education preparation and STEM workforce readiness. Dr. Lopez’s talk highlighted how higher education can overcome inequalities in the STEM workforce by ensuring that students graduate with the essential competencies required to compete in the global labor market. 
• Dr. Judy Oskam has served as Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University since 2012. She is also an Honorary Professor of International Studies. Oskam was Associate Professor and Associate Director for Round Rock Programs from 2006-2012. Earlier in her career, Oskam worked as a TV journalist, video producer and public relations professional. Her podcast, Stories of Change and Creativity, features content and interviews that inspire, educate and motivate. Through personal examples and examples from faculty and former students, Dr. Oskam discussed how experiences inside and outside of the classroom can provide us with tools and strategies to "figure it out along the way" when we stop limiting our beliefs and take action. 
• Dr. Zach Thomas, a School Improvement teacher and educator, completed his doctorate at Texas State University in the School Improvement Program in 2023. His research focuses on creativity and imagination’s value in traditional school systems, and how divergent thinking can transform learning.  Dr. Thomas’ talk focused on how using creativity and imagination in education allows students and teachers to cultivate learning environments and outcomes far beyond the confines of current standardized systems.

The event also included audience activations, snacks during breaks, and entertainment by Texas State students and local artists. This year’s performers included: 

• VocaLibre, an auditioned choral group directed by Craig Aamot, who prepared and performed songs related to our theme, including Stevie Wonder’s Higher Ground and Pure Imagination from the movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. 
• Young, Gifted, and Black, a group of talented young black artists in the Musical Theater Department at Texas State University showcased powerful musical numbers and dance pieces.
• Doral Drama Club, a gifted group of children from the Doral Academy Charter School’s dram club performed a comedy scene about a magical candy jar. 
• DJ Dion and In2itive, former Texas State students and all around good guys spent time spinning records during the event’s registration and intermission. 
• The Trips, a rock band comprised of triplets, Sammy, Marshall, and McKenna Wells out of San Marcos, Texas rocked the house with three original songs off of their debut album. 
• TXST FSA Umigi, an open-level dance team and part of Texas State University Filipino Student Association danced various styles of hip-hop, embodying the essence of growth and improvement

Emcees for the event included:

• Gabe Cortez is an alumnus and current graduate student in the Department of Communication Studies at Texas State. He has been performing stand-up since 2017 with the Texas State Comedy Association. He created a monthly showcase at the Fallout Theater and has hosted the Laughing Dead Comedy Open Mic at Wake the Dead Coffee House for the last two years.
• Tyson Taylor is a senior at Texas State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Digital Media Innovation. For the past two years, Tyson has been a member of KTSW-FM 89.9, Texas State’s student-ran radio station, where he has broadcast, reported, and produced various collegiate sporting events. In addition to his work at KTSW, Tyson serves as a marketing intern with Texas State’s Division of Marketing and Communications. He is expected to graduate in May.

The TEDx Leadership Team:                                                                      

• Dr. Alan Grant - Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Communication Studies, serves as Event Co-Lead and Director of Speaker Experience
• Mark Paz - Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Communication Studies serves as Event Co-Lead and Creative Director.
• Hannah Collazo - Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Communication Studies serves as the Director of Speaker Experience.
• Dr. Kristen Farris - Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies serves as the TEDx License Holder.
• Dr. Prisca Ngondo - Associate Professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication serves as the Communications Director.                    
• Caroline Williams - Graduate Instructional Assistant in the Department of Communication Studies serves as Logistics Lead and Graduate Intern.
• Jordan Garner - Graduate Instructional Assistant in the Department of Communication Studies serves on the Communications Team and as Graduate Intern.
• Felicity Guajardo, Salia Munoz, and Bianca Perschbach serve as undergraduate social media and marketing interns. Felicity Guajardo also served as a photographer for the event. 

Speaker Coaches

• Dr. Ann Burnette - Professor in the Department of Communication Studies
• Mark Paz - Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Communication Studies
• Dr. Alan Grant – Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Communication Studies
• Rita Gomez - Lecturer in the Department of Communication Studies
• Hannah Collazo - Assistant Professor of Instruction in the Department of Communication Studies

Student Interns + Volunteers

• Josh Trevino, an undergraduate student, served as the show caller and helped supervise and support the stage managers (KayCi Wolf and Marwa Habibi). The show would not run without the awesome students. 
• Azariah Reese, graduate student in the School of Music, served as a photographer for the event. 

We also had approximately 15 other graduate and undergraduate students who served as volunteers for dress rehearsal and the day-of the event. The event's success would not be possible without these students

We also could NOT have a successful event without the amazing help of the operations staff! 

Operations Staff

• Candice Mongellow - Operations Manager of the Performing Arts Center
• Robert Styres - Box Office Manager
• Eaton Saylor - Lighting Supervisor + Audio Engineer of the Performing Arts Center
• Angelica Medellin Vasquez – Undergraduate Music Major and Operations Support for the Performing Arts Center 

Finally, the TEDx Team like to thank The LBJ Museum of San Marcos for setting up a table during registration and the break to display a “traveling trunk” of historical items from President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Museum was also the site of the Speaker and VIP afterparty. We would also like to thank the Department of Communication Studies and the College of Fine Arts and Communication for all the support they provide for this event. 

Faculty Accolades

Jasmine Austin was the Keynote speaker for a Graduate Student-centered conference at Texas A&M where she shared three actionable strategies to help graduate students carve their own paths with confidence and purpose. Jasmine welcomed scholars from Texas Christian University, the University of Southern California, an organizational trainer, and M.A. alum Johnny Vasallo to her graduate level qualitative methods course. Each participant recorded videos requesting qualitative consulting from graduate students in the class. The students were able to learn about the scholar’s research and then give specific strategies for participant recruitment, participant engagement and rapport building, and recommendations for giving back to the participants.

Ann Burnette received the Presidential Distinction Award for Service at the Associate Professor/Professor level. She will represent the College of Fine Arts and Communication at the University level for the Presidential Award. Ann also received the Rena Barr Volunteer Spirit Award from the Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico (TxOLAN) Alpaca Association. She has been the official announcer of the annual TxOLAN Sweetheart Spectacular Alpaca Show since 2009 and has also served as the official announcer of the TxOLAN Bluebonnet Stakes Alpaca Show since 2020.

Stephanie Dailey received the Presidential Distinction Award for Teaching at the Associate Professor/Professor level. She will represent the College of Fine Arts and Communication at the University level for the Presidential Award. Stephanie welcomed Erika Lingonblad and Giselle Kowalski to her Social Media in Organizations course. They spoke about their roles in the Division of Marketing & Communications at TXST, sharing insights behind running the TXST flagship accounts and the TXST Podcast Network, as well as fruitful career advice for students seeking to work in social media.

Kristen Farris published, "A test of relational turbulence in sibling relationships: Relationship characteristics, emotions, communication, and relational turbulence" in the Journal of Family Communication.  

Rebekah Fox participated in a briefing for the Hazardous Fuels Review Team in the Ocala National Forest in Florida. These periodic reviews contribute to her ongoing, funded work with the United States Forest Service.

Marek Muller received the 2024 runner-up award for Online Teaching Excellence from the Division of Online & Extended Learning at TXST. This is a prestigious and competitive award meant to highlight innovative teaching methods in online instruction. They were honored for their online, accelerated course in Intercultural Communication. Specifically, their course was honored for its outstanding organizational structure, creative assessments, and multimodal course texts.

Mark Paz received the Presidential Distinction Award for Service at the Lecturer/Sr Lecturer/Assistant Professor level. He will represent the College of Fine Arts and Communication at the University level for the Presidential Award.

Lindsay Timmerman received the B. Aubrey Fisher Outstanding Journal Article Award for her publication in Western Journal of Communication, titled “Redefining ‘healthy mom, healthy baby’: Making sense of traumatic birth stories through relational dialectics theory.” The award was presented to her and co-author Valerie Cronin-Fisher at the Western States Communication Association Conference in February.