TEDxKUEdwards Celebrates Community Voices at 2025 Event
KU Edwards presented its first in-person TEDx event Friday, September 5. TEDxKUEdwards was an independently organized event under license from TED. Held at Regnier Hall Auditorium, the sold-out event brought together faculty, students, alumni, and community members to hear from six dynamic speakers on topics ranging from digital communication and professionalism to youth advocacy.
“It was an inspiring event that brought together bold ideas, powerful stories, and a vibrant community of thinkers,” said Stuart Day, vice provost of the KU Edwards Campus and dean of the School of Professional Studies.
This year’s speaker lineup represented a wide range of professional and personal perspectives.
Ally Jennings, who currently teaches public health at KU, explored how public health communication is evolving on platforms like TikTok and how digital storytelling can be used to combat misinformation and help keep communities safe. KU alumna, Daisha Holmes shared a compelling talk on the concept of performative professionalism, urging attendees to rethink the implicit standards embedded in traditional workplace culture. In keeping with her research and teaching at KU, Melissa Greene-Blye challenged the audience to recognize how information overload and mental shortcuts can inhibit intentional decision-making when we interact with many forms of media.
Swanie McIntosh-Lily, who grew up in a deaf family, shared experiences navigating hearing spaces and described that accessibility, or lack thereof, can empower or exclude. Simple design choices can drive access. A School of Professional Studies alum and current KU medical student, Kaitlyn Sy, opened the audiences’ eyes to the challenges within the medical system. Her own experience as a seriously ill patient motivated her to stay committed to the dream of serving others by providing access to medical care. The evening closed with a powerful message from Ossco Bolton III, who has dedicated his life to helping youth in the Kansas City community and beyond. He asked the audience to consider whether our communities truly value children—and what actions we’re willing to take to prove it.
“The goal of TEDxKUEdwards was to highlight innovative and inspiring ideas and provide a space that uplifts local voices and fosters meaningful dialogue across disciplines and communities,” said Becky Achen, director of the Professional Performance program and emcee of the event. “We were overwhelmed by the response from the local community who attended the event and can’t wait to be back next year!”
The talks were professionally recorded and will be available in the coming weeks via the official TEDx YouTube channel. For more information about the event, speaker bios, and video releases, visit the official event website at tedxkuedwards.com and follow KU Edwards on social media.
