Theme: Planting Roots, Growing Higher

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).

UAM Fine Arts Center
371 University Drive
Monticello, Arkansas, 71655
United States

Alyssa Hooks

Mental health advocate

Alyssa Hooks is a Texas native, attending college at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Her passion for public speaking can be followed back to her freshman year of high school and she has never left the field. Through speech and debate, Alyssa has been exposed to some of the nuances of mental health and mental health education. Experiencing some of her own challenges has driven her to become and advocate for mental health awareness and, specifically, mental health within the post-secondary educational climate and sphere. Speaking on such a controversial issue, Alyssa hopes that people begin to find an hope and an understanding within the difficulties that mental illness can create. Spending time with her younger siblings and family are one of her main motivators, as well as finding time to impact the speech and debate community.

Clint Young

Assistant Professor of History

Clint Young is Associate Professor of History at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He earned his doctoral degree in European history from the University of California, San Diego; he specializes in the cultural history of Spain, with an emphasis on nationalism and musical culture. He currently serves as the President of the Arkansas Association of College History Teachers, and is a member of the Board of Directors for both the Association for Spanish and Portuguese Historical Studies and the SEARK Concert Association. His book Music Theater and Popular Nationalism in Spain, 1880-1930 (LSU Press, 2016) was the 2018 winner of the American Musicological Society’s Robert M. Stevenson Prize for outstanding scholarship in Iberian music. His current research examines the transnational origins of modern operatic culture.

Craig Olsen

Assistant Professor of English

Dr. Craig Olsen is an assistant professor of English at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. He studies the effectiveness of music, particularly in video games, in creating immersive environments.

Deanna Wallace

Attorney & Advocate

Having spent the first five years of her life in the Louisiana foster care system with her siblings, Deanna Wallace decided in middle school that her calling in life was to be a passionate advocate for the vulnerable members of humankind. Deanna has a B.A. in Communications from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, and a law degree from LSU's Paul M. Hebert Law Center. She is a licensed attorney in the State of Louisiana. Deanna is currently on the Communications team for Attorney General Jeff Landry as a Public Information Officer. Deanna is on the Board of Directors for New Wave Feminists and the Editorial Board of The Journal of Bioethics in Law & Culture Quarterly

Emilia Rak

Service Dog Advocate

Mrs. Emilia Zsuzsanna Rak is a non-traditional honors student pursuing her BSW at the UALR School of Social Work. She is legally disabled and has had the privilege of having her life greatly enhanced because of service dogs for the past three years. First by, Chester, The WonderDog now Rooster, The King of the Universe. When asked for a few lines for her bio she wrote: "It's my sincere hope that I will leave this earth a better place than when I came into it. To sum up my feelings I'd like to quote my daughter, Nini. She said to me, ‘Mami, all of our pain and suffering and bad stuff that happened to us wasn't for nothing because some day we're going to help people.’" It turns out that Nini was right, because Emilia is working hard to becoming an art therapist, realizing the dreams that she and her girls could only hope they would ever see.

Hassan "MVP" Assad

Professional Wrestler

Best known as a champion with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), he is a Social Media powerhouse with over half a million followers. Yet life has not always been plain sailing for this Miami native. After joining a Graffiti Crew at a very young age, life quickly descended into chaos. At the age of 16, he pleaded guilty to charges of Kidnapping and Armed Robbery following a world famous heist in Florida. Tried as an adult, a teenage MVP was sentenced to 18 and a half years in prison. His outlook was grim – a number of his friends and acquaintances had been shot dead or sent to Prison. A Florida prison full of murderers, drug dealers and sex offenders was no place for a 16 year old. MVP went onto become a two-time US Heavyweight Champion before he shocked the WWE Universe by amicably agreeing to part ways with the WWE in 2010.

Ky Krebs

Comedian

Ky Krebs is a comedian, writer, and producer. He is the creator of the Extra Salty Podcast, and the host of various comedy shows in Texas. He is currently touring the country and donating half the proceeds of his shows to local LGBTQIA+ charities.

Mark Lowery

Arkansas State Representative

Arkansas State Representative Mark Lowery is a 4-term legislator who chairs the influential House Insurance and Commerce Committee and is a senior ranking member of the House Education Committee. Lowery, who represents the Maumelle area in northwest Pulaski County, is an adjunct communication instructor at Henderson State University and taught for 11 years at the University of Central Arkansas.

Roy Wisecarver

Historian

Roy Wisecarver graduated from UAM with a BA in History in 2013. He subsequently earned an MA from the University of Mississippi and is currently a PhD student at Texas A&M University. His dissertation examines the relationships between the Confederate government, state government, and people of Arkansas during the Civil War. He will be talking about the dissonance between Civil War memory and history.

Scot Loyd

Instructor and Preacher

Scot Loyd is a Christian Pastor, Professor of Communication Studies and Debate, and thought leader, who partners with students, professionals, and organizations to improve their communication and persuasive skills. Scot also seeks to challenge others to think clearly and critically about what they believe and why they behave in accordance with or in contradiction of those beliefs. Scot has coached champion collegiate debate teams and individuals, and has been featured as a keynote speaker to various National and International audiences. Scot has earned two Masters degrees, in Communication Studies and The Philosophy of Heritage Studies, at Arkansas State University, where he is also a PhD candidate in Heritage Studies. He is currently serving at Oklahoma Baptist University.