Theme: Resolve

The theme for TEDx Texas State University’s 2024 event is resolve. The last few years have been rife with difficulty, from managing a global pandemic to mounting economic uncertainty, ongoing protests for human rights, and escalating environmental disasters, all of which have been taking place in a contentious political environment. Despite these difficulties, we believe in our resolve to overcome these challenges and are hopeful for the future. Our speakers are visionaries serving as drivers of change, and their talks will focus on the potential and promises ahead. Through these talks, we aim to explore specific ideas, processes, and solutions that will enable us to adapt to and transform the current obstacles we face as a local and global community. The talks will represent a variety of fields and perspectives including technology, health, the arts, media, social sciences, the humanities, and the natural sciences. We invite you to join us for a day of conversation as we discover how to strengthen our collective resolve.

Performing Arts Center
430 Moon Street
San Marcos, Texas, 78666
United States

Christine Norton

Dr. Christine Lynn Norton is a Professor of Social Work at Texas State University. She is a Fulbright Scholar, as well as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist, and Certified Experiential Therapist. Christine is an outdoor therapy researcher and practitioner, and has dedicated her career to researching outdoor, experiential mental health interventions.

Dana Swann

Dana Douglass Swann is the Executive Assistant at Texas Commission on the Arts and has been with the agency for 18 years. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas State University in December of 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, and is currently working on her Masters in Communication Studies. Despite this long career in administration, if asked what she wants to do when she grows up, she would say - “teach Communication at the college level and finish the book that I have started.” Then, laughingly say, “my life is a Lifetime movie waiting to be told”! She is a true Texan (born and raised in Leesville, Texas), who loves fashion, baking, teaching zumba, country and western dancing, and making people laugh. She is the proud mother of 3 sons and 4 beautiful grandchildren.

Kendra Marsteller

Kendra Marsteller has worked in law enforcement going on 16 years. She is Texas State University’s full-time Mental Health Officer. Before becoming a police officer, she started her career in 2008 as a Victim’s Advocate. In her career as a commissioned officer, Kendra served as a Deputy Constable before starting at Texas State. At Texas State University Kendra serves as a Field Training Officer, Mental Health Officer, K9 Handler, Victim Services Liaison, and TCOLE Instructor. Kendra took on the role of Mental Health Officer in October 2021 and became the very first K9 Handler to Texas State's Therapy Dog in June 2022. Kendra is a member of the Hays County Regional Critical Incident Management Team, Crisis Response Canines, and volunteers in Victim Services with the San Marcos Police Department.

Mateo Gutierrez

Mateo Gutiérrez is a self-taught artist whose hand-embroidered art challenges the ingrained violence in American culture. Mateo brings to light forgotten tragedies, defying society's short attention span. His work confronts issues of identity and outsider experience, exhibited across the nation. Academically, Mateo holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MFA in Studio Painting from the University of Texas, Austin. Currently based in Austin, Texas, Mateo continues his thought-provoking exploration of American culture and its profound impact.

Nadim Adi

Dr. Adi is an assistant professor at Texas State University. He completed his doctoral studies in the field of virtual reality and obtained a master’s in architecture from the UK. Combining these two fields, he developed a passion to understand and test new buildings and building materials using virtual reality. He studies how people respond to different types of built environments using various virtual platforms as a medium. He has worked in several universities around the globe, in the fields of high-rise wood buildings, hospital design, dementia and elderly friendly design, and interactive architecture. His research has several potential inter-disciplinary applications involving health, education, and ergonomics. His work on dementia friendly hospital design resulted in changes to the Canadian building code and several publications and talks in various events globally. He is currently a key member of the Researcher Mental Health Observatory (ReMo COST Action) to change the approach to mental health globally. He is also a member of The Alliance of Researchers in Aging (ARIA), a group of Texas State researchers dedicated to aging and life course research.

Stacy Johnson

Stacy Johnson's journey from foster care to founding Central Texas Table of Grace (a non-profit organization for foster children) is a testament to her unwavering dedication to helping children in need. Her firsthand experience in the foster system fuels her passion and commitment to making a difference. Recognized as the "Most Remarkable Woman of the Year" by NBC's KXAN in 2021 and honored with the "Young Leader Award" from the Texas Women Foundation in 2022, Stacy's leadership and impact have been widely acknowledged. Her achievements, coupled with the accolades and recognition she has received, demonstrate her credibility, dedication, and effectiveness in creating positive change for vulnerable youth. Stacy's prior engagements in speaking on topics related to foster care and youth advocacy further showcase her expertise and commitment, connecting her experiences and knowledge to this moving TEDx talk.