TEDx Syracuse University 2026

Centered on the theme What Matters Next, the free event will bring together students, faculty, alumni and members of the community for an evening of ideas, conversation and inspiration. Those interested in attending can register online.

This year’s speakers include:

• Sean Kirst, an award-winning journalist and author, who will discuss “The Imperative of True Stories.”
• Monica Jacobs ’27 (School of Information Studies), a Renee Crown Honors student focused on emerging technology and innovation, who will discuss “The Gift of Our Faults.”
• Sofia Gonzalez, a Fulbright Scholar, teacher, education activist and founder of Sofia Speaks, who will discuss “What Urban Classrooms Teach Us.”
• Alhassan Bangura ’26 (Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs), a national student leader focused on strategy, engagement and the power of communication who will discuss “The Weight We Don’t Talk About.”
• Kylie Delaney Martin ’26 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), a storyteller at the intersection of film, marketing and visual narrative, who will discuss “Fan Edits Are the Marketing of the Future.”
• Michael Nedrick G’27 (School of Education), a multi-media journalist, content creator, digital personality and student counselor, who will discuss “Who Matters Just as Much as Why.”
• Adam Peruta, a Newhouse School of Public Communications faculty member, Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient and generative AI expert, who will discuss “When Everything Can Be Made, What Can Be Trusted.”
• Kylee McGrane-Zarnoch, an author, founder and executive director of A Moment of Magic, who will discuss “When a Person Becomes a Patient.”