TEDxUTulsa

(Autumn 2015 – Spring 2019) During its 2017 and 2018 seasons, I worked as one of two Lead Organizers for TEDxUTulsa, the University of Tulsa’s own annual, entirely student-run TEDx conference serving both the student body and the City of Tulsa. Every year, more than 50 applicants make pitches for their own TED talks and are interviewed by a panel of student organizers, who select 12-16 speaker finalists. These speakers then develop their talk in partnership with the organizers, who are in charge of coaching speakers and of curating and editing the talks. Additionally, the Lead Organizers are also in charge of running all other aspects of the event: coordinating ticketing, volunteers, activities, budgeting, merchandise, stage management, and more. The event has grown in popularity every year since its inception in 2015, and now expects about 500 attendees annually. The team has also grown, from about 4-5 core members to around 15 core members and dozens of volunteers.

Shown here are six of my favorite talks that I helped to curate during my time on the team. For more information, a full archive of talks, and tickets to the event (which continues to be put on by an ever-evolving roster of awesome students!), check out the event website at tedxuniversityoftulsa.com.