The Future of AI and Higher Education in the Coming 10 Years
Dr. Todd ShieldsPresident, Arkansas State University SystemSenator Dan SullivanArkansas Senate District 20
SEPTEMBER 18, 2026JONESBORO, ARKANSAS
THE STAGE IS SET. THE IDEAS ARE NEXT.
A new
generation
of ideas.
TEDx returns to Arkansas State University.
One stage. New perspectives. Conversations that stay with you.
26 VOICES.
COUNTLESS POSSIBILITIES.
COUNTLESS POSSIBILITIES.
WHENFriday, September 182026 · 1–7 PM Central
WHEREFowler CenterArkansas State University · Jonesboro
WHAT TO EXPECTAn opening panel + 26 speakers.Ideas, discovery, and connection.
↓01 / THE EVENT
Big ideas.
Right here.
Nearly a decade later, the red stage returns to A-State.
On September 18, students, educators, researchers, innovators, and community members will come together at the Fowler Center for a day of ideas that challenge assumptions and open up new possibilities.
From technology and research to leadership, identity, and human connection, this is a chance to see the world through someone else’s perspective—and leave with a new one of your own.
Meet the voices behind the ideas02 / THE PEOPLE & THE PROGRAM
Meet your next
new perspective.
An opening panel and 26 speakers. A world of ideas.
Explore the lineup and plan your afternoon.
All times are Central (CDT).
26 speakers
1–7 PM · Event window1:00 PM · Opening panel1:45 PM · First talk6:55 PM · Final talk ends
017 min talk
Vishak Meenachi
Topic previewOpening access to student research
027 min talk
Cameron Wimpy
TalkRural Isn't a Place—It's a Measurement Problem
037 min talk
Jonathan “Johnny” Toma
TalkThe Power of Mentorship
043 min talk
Amanda Carpenter
TalkTalk details to be announced
057 min talk
Garrett Partain
TalkArkansan Connections During My Peace Corps Service
Profile coming soon
0613 min talk
Jason Holzman
Topic previewAI and the art of asking good questions
0713 min talk
Christin Webb
TalkWhat Happens When Leaders Stop Abandoning Their Voice
087 min talk
Andi Esters
TalkWhat Shipwrecks Teach Us About Who We Were — and Who We Are
0913 min talk
Pete Ferrari
TalkBeware the False Prophets — Nutrition is Destiny
1013 min talk
Karen Hite
TalkThe Gift You Keep Burying - How knowing your God-given gift changes the way you lead, sell, and build
1113 min talk
Valentina Leonett
TalkWhy rejection is an involuntary identity audit… and what your brain can do about it.
1213 min talk
Kevin Sandlin
TalkGet High at Work! (without getting fired)
1313 min talk
Joshua T. George
TalkThe Lower the Stakes, the Worse I Get
1413 min talk
Randy Green
TalkThe biggest financial scandal you've never heard about (and how to fix it)
1513 min talk
Tom Goodlet
TalkListeners Win More Than Talkers
1613 min talk
Gilda Wake
TalkWhen Knowledge Stops Being Power: Unlocking the Age of Possibility
1713 min talk
Karen Aberle
TalkHow to live joyfully every day
Profile coming soon
1813 min talk
JC Hite
TalkAppreciation At Work
1913 min talk
Leigh Gall
TalkThe Trap of Being Good at Something
207 min talk
Jesse Favre
Topic previewLeadership as a public health variable
217 min talk
Valerie Renee
Topic previewHuman connection begins with ourselves
227 min talk
A.D. Edwards
TalkThe Beauty of Starting Ugly
237 min talk
Brian Arnold
TalkWhat Faith Sees Before Proof Arrives: How Relationships, Not Information, Unlock Human Potential
247 min talk
Erica Richardson
TalkThe Peace We’ve Been Missing
253 min talk
Stephanie Thoma
TalkHold the Room
263 min talk
Neetu Rishi
TalkThe Size of Your Dreams Is Not Measured in Inches
No speakers match that search. Try another name or idea, or .
Program subject to change. Talk lengths exclude transitions. “Topic preview” indicates a summary of the submitted topic; final talk titles may be updated.
03 / SEE YOU IN JONESBORO
Make room
for something
new.
An afternoon away from your usual routine.
A perspective you might keep for a lifetime.
THE DATE
September 18, 2026
Friday · 1–7 PM Central Time
Opening panel and speaker program: 1:00–6:55 PM
THE PLACE
Fowler Center
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, Arkansas
THE NEXT STEP
Bring your curiosity.
Complete the event signup form to let us know you’ll be there.
Sign up for the event (opens Google Forms in a new tab)A FEW THINGS TO KNOW
Before you go.
How do I sign up?
Use any signup button on this page to open the official Google Form. Complete and submit your information there. This website does not collect or store your registration information.
When should I plan to be there?
The event is scheduled for 1–7 PM Central Time on Friday, September 18, 2026. The opening panel begins at 1 PM, the first individual talk begins at 1:45 PM, and the final scheduled talk ends at 6:55 PM.
Where is the event?
At the Fowler Center on the Arkansas State University campus in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Use the directions link above to plan your trip.
What is TEDx?
TEDx is a program of independently organized local events that bring people together to share ideas. TEDxArkansas State University is organized locally under a TED license.
SEPTEMBER 18. FOWLER CENTER. YOU.
The next idea
could change yours.
I’ll be there (opens Google Forms in a new tab)Join us at TEDxArkansas State University.