Theme: A Seat at the Table

This year’s event revolves around the theme “A Seat at the Table.” This theme will offer Syracuse students from across campus the opportunity to be the soul speakers. By incorporating students from eleven different schools we fulfill the TEDx vision of sharing a multitude of innovative ideas while providing a platform for student voices to be heard. Our goal is an experience that will empower a diverse coalition with the platform to change audience attitudes for the better.

Joyce Herghenhan Auditorium
Syracuse University
215 University Place
Syracuse, New York, 13210
United States

Brianna Yates

Media expert

In her talk, “The Magic of Human Connection,” Brianna will speak about how simple conversations can add a little magic to everyday life. Brianna is from Atlanta, Georgia, and next fall, she will attend the University of Georgia School of Law.

Calvin Atieku

Engineering Researcher

Setting float on flooded lands. Calvin S Atieku is a first-year Mechanical Engineering student at Syracuse's School of Engineering. He is a Freshman Representative of NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) as well as the V.P of Professional Events in the Marketing Club. On the weekends, he mentors middle school students at STEP and guide them on hardware engineering projects. Other than lecturing kids about new ways to design robots with mechanics, he is the CEO of DNA, a real estate development that designs and builds floating houses for people to live sustainably on the ocean. Through his talk, Calvin will use his research experience in Real Estate and Climate Change.

Chandler Jacobs

Policymaker

Chandler Jacobs is a second year law student at Syracuse College of Law, where she founded and is the current president of the employment and labor law society and the secretary of the Jewish Law Association. She drafted an amendment to a current legislative that is based on primary prevention of sexual violence.

Charlie Naples

Buisness Analyst

Charlie Naples is currently a junior at Syracuse University where he is a triple major in Finance, Accounting, and Spanish. At Syracuse University, he is a junior analyst for the Orange Value Fund, ski races for the university and serves as an abroad ambassador for Madrid, Spain. Charlie spent his summer interning at a consulting firm in Madrid and will be interning in Structured Finance at Ernst & Young this summer. Charlie’s talk will focus on his journey and experiences while learning another language. He hopes to inspire others to preserver through the challenge of learning a language and open their eyes to the benefits of becoming bilingual.

Hanneke van Deursen

Architect

Hanneke is currently a thesis student at Syracuse University’s School of Architecture. Her fascination with the built environment has led her across the globe to explore and study the buildings and environments that speak to her. In her Ted Talk, she hopes to share the underlying voice of architecture with a broader audience. She will use her research in the Philippines last summer, (In)Dependence and Identity: Exploring the Filipino Dream House, to peel back the layers of what a building can have to say.

Liz Gostev

Geography researcher

Liz is a Geography and International Relations major, interested in the relationship between land and people. In her talk she will address the complexity of a consumer lifestyle and its implications through a critical lens.

Lizhen Liang

Artificial Intelligence Research

Lizhen will present his research in biases of artificial intelligence. Everyday we post on social media, but are not aware of where the code ends up. He will present factual evidence to make the audience reflect on implications of where it can go.

Oluwafolabomi Olujimi

Communication Artist

Oluwafolabomi’Bomi’ is a senior at Syracuse’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, in the Communication and Rhetorical Studies Program. Bomi works as a research assistant in a Bias Lab on campus, and a Writing intern for Uinterview. She also serves as the Vice President of Internal Affairs of SU’s African Student Union. Through spoken word, she will take us on a journey following her life both in Nigeria and in the States. Bomi hopes to open our eyes to the complexity of the word ‘identity’.

Rachel Brennan

Human Development Expert

Rachel is a senior at Syracuse University in Falk College where she studies Human Development and Family Science with a minor in Addiction Studies. Her plans for next year are to begin working towards her Master of Social Work which will allow her to eventually work in an out patient mental health clinic as a child and young adult therapist. During her free time, Rachel volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse and mentors international students who are new to the area.

Tiffany Hamm

Science Educator

A New York City Native, Tiffany Hamm is a science educator from the Bronx. She is currently a second year doctoral student, pursuing a Ph.D. in Science Education. Inspired by her own journey as a student in the NYC and her experiences as a science teacher, her research interest focusses on ways to increase the accessibility of equitable science education in urban communities.

Yuliia Popyk

International Relations Specialist

Yuliia Popyk is a Fulbright scholar from Kyiv, Ukraine, who is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in International Relations in the Maxwell School of Citizenship of Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Yulia specializes in cultural diplomacy, diaspora studies, and nation-branding. Her talk will discuss how modern International Relations are changing and why everyone is an important piece of the process of "soft power".