Theme: Think Locally, Act Globally

The second annual TEDxAlmaCollege conference wil take place on January 17th, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. This will take place in Presbeterian Hall on Alma College's campus at 614 W. Superior St., Alma, MI 48801.

We have selected many speakers from the Alma College and Mid-Michigan communities including: students, professors, and outstanding community members. We hope for this event to inspire attendees and viewers to see the community around them in a differnt light.

Oscar E. Remick Heritage Center for the Performing Arts
500 W. Superior St
Alma, Michigan, 48801
United States

Avery Van Ess

Student

Avery Van Ess is a senior at Alma College studying Communication and Sociology. Upon graduating, she is considering a masters degree in Urban Planning and Policy. Van Ess feels called to give youth a voice to embrace their individuality because of the many times she felt voiceless and insignificant as a young girl and teenager trying to come into herself. In the future, Van Ess would like to open a youth organization emphasizing tutoring/education for children, exposure to cultural activities, as well as the teaching of team skills for communities that struggles with poverty, lack of resources, a failing education system and crime.

Devan McNabb

Student

Devan McNabb is a current Alma College Senior pursuing a double degree in Anthropology and History and is set to graduate at the end of the Fall 2016 term. She is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan and is an alum of Forest Hills Central High and Goodwillie Environmental school. On campus, Devan is an active member of the Climbing Club, the Hispanic Coalition, and the Kappa Iota Sorority. In the small bits of free time between classes, organizations, and work, she enjoys writing and being outside. Although she has no idea what lies ahead of her after graduation, but is excited to see how life works out.

Gregg Stefanek

Physician

Gregg Stefanek, D.O., has been practicing family medicine in Alma, Michigan since 1991. He is employed by Covenant Healthcare, headquartered in Saginaw, MI. He led his practice, Gratiot Family Practice, along its way to become a Patient Centered Medical Home. Dr. Stefanek strongly believes in an empowered, proactive patient backed by systems supporting them in their efforts. Besides serving his patients, he also serves as the medical director of the Gratiot County Medical Physician organization and the Great Lakes Organized System of Care. Dr. Stefanek earned his degree as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from the University of Notre Dame.

Kristin Olbertson

Professor and Advocate

In her professional life, Kristin Olbertson teaches history at Alma College. As a member of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, she advocates for improved access to quality mental health care for all people, especially children. She currently serves on the Harvard Pilgrim Patient and Family Advisory Board, and is a member of a working group in the national Coalition on Psychiatric Emergencies (COPE).

Marcel de Almeida Siqueira

Student

Marcel Siqueira is from Macau, Brazil, and studies Marketing and Economics at Alma College in Michigan. He is a former finalist of pre-college science fairs such as the International Science and Technology Fair (MOSTRATEC), the Brazilian Science and Engineering Fair (FEBRACE) and INTEL International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). In 2013, he created the “Amazon Science Fair,” the first competitive science fair in Manaus, Brazil, only for high school students. Also in 2013, Marcel created the “Destroying Vihllains,” a social project based in a comic book that attempts to encourage HIV-infected children to take their pills. Marcel is also part of the Brazilian Association to Incentivize Science (ABRIC), a NGO formed by young people, which is trying to popularize the scientific thinking within Brazilian schools.

Nicholas Dixon

Professor

Nick Dixon is professor and chair of philosophy at Alma College. He teaches classes in a wide range of areas of philosophy and publishes articles in several areas of applied ethics. Outside of his working life, he enjoys coaching soccer and extensive travel with his wife and their three children, as well as supporting their many extracurricular activities.

Sheila Carrol

Storyteller

Sheila Carroll is a professional storyteller, educator, story coach, entrepreneur and co-founder of a non-profit providing educational solutions in the US and Africa. She is on a mission to demonstrate the power of story to repair the world by revealing the worth and beauty of each individual and empowering them to believe they can change things. She has authored a number of works including Putting the World in a Nutshell: The art of the formula tale. She enjoys pilgrimages, hard books, and ethnic foods. She has witnessed the golden thread of story and its incredible power to galvanize people and causes. Stories invite wholeness and healing. Stories invite transformation.

Thomas Wells

Professor

Tom Wells is a native Minnesotan but he lived in California, Iowa, Montana, and now Michigan – along with temporary stays in China and Honduras. He currently teaches mathematics at Delta College where he resides with his wife and two daughters in Saginaw, MI. They have backyard chickens and a home still being remodeled after 8 years. He coaches soccer and is the director of coaching for a local soccer club. He enjoys thinking about mathematics, philosophy, minimalist living, soccer, community involvement, spirituality, and adventure. It’s a passion of his to challenge folk to consider “out-of-the-box” and courageous styles of life and to think deeply about making an impact wherever they go.

Todd Hibbs

Coach

Todd Hibbs is a doctoral student in educational leadership at Central Michigan University. The focus of his research is studying challenges presented to first-generation college students, and subsequent strategy development in assisting this population in reaching undergraduate degree attainment. As Hibbs continues the study of the first-generation population via his doctoral program, he also continues to serve as the head wrestling coach of a program at Alma College

William Gorton

Professor

William Gorton is an associate professor of political science at Alma College in Alma, Michigan. He is the author of Karl Popper and the Social Sciences. His work has appeared recently in New Political Science, Public Understanding of Science, and Journal of Political Science Education.