In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxMountainViewCollege, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxMountainViewCollege event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

Mountain View College Performance Hall (E127)
4849 West Illinois
Dallas, Texas, 75211
United States

Alexis Scott

Engineer, Educator, Entrepreneur

Alexis M. Scott is a Triple E: Educator, Entrepreneur and Engineer. She founded AMS Academic Solutions to share her gift of numbers and education that she has possessed since an early age. Alexis has been teaching mathematics for over 20 years, including 18 years as a college professor. She published one book in 2017 called "Embracing STEM Smarts: An Encouraging Guide for Young Ladies to be Bold in Their Intelligence." Alexis will have two books coming out later this year involving her work in STEM.

Dr. Dwight Randle

Executive Dean of Math and Science, Professor

Dr. Dwight E. Randle is interim Executive Dean of Math Science & Health Professions and Professor of Chemistry & Biology at Richland College in Dallas Texas. Dr. Randle has a teaching career that spans decades including teaching as a special chemistry instructor for the US Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland while working on a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. He owns a thriving photography company which specializes in natural landscapes and portraiture. Dr. Randle has been an active community-based mentor with Big Brother Big Sister for over 25 years.

Elena and Gregory Fainshtein

Educators, Musicians

Elena Fainshtein is a professional musician. Her instrument of choice from childhood has been the button accordion, traditionally known as bayan. At the age of 17 at music college, she began playing as an accordion duo with her classmate, Gregory Fainshtein, who became her husband and music partner for life six years later. The two have performed nationally at various conventions and are actively engaged in introducing the accordion to younger generations who have never been introduced to this unique instrument in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Joaquin Zihuatenejo

Educator, Poet, Spoken Word Artist

Joaquín Zihuatanejo is a poet, spoken word artist and award-winning teacher. Born and raised in the barrio of East Dallas, Joaquín strives to capture the duality of the Chicano culture in his work. Sometimes brutal, but always honest, his work depicts the essence of barrio life. His writing centers around a youth that existed somewhere between the streets of the barrio and the dream wanderings of a boy who found refuge in a world of stories and poems.

John Wills

Entrepreneur, Actor

John Wesley Wills attended Cedar Valley College where he studied public speaking. Recently, John was awarded a Certificate of Excellence from the Vocal Visionaries Toastmasters Club for his award winning speeches. John has been a member of the club since 2008 and enjoys the fact he can impact lives with his words. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service and currently drives for Uber. John enjoys acting and is cast in the upcoming movie “Content of Character.”

Michelle Navarro

Professor

Michelle Navarro is a full-time professor of history at Richland College. For the past ten years, Michelle continues to sponsor a student club called A.L.A.S., which stands for “Achieving Latino Academic Success.” The club welcomes all students and it is a mentoring program which supports students through their academic journey, along with fundraising for charitable causes, community outreach, and leadership development. Michelle is a doctoral student currently focusing on Multicultural Women’s and Gender Studies.

Robertus van der Wege

Professor, Artist, Sculptor

Robertus Joost van der Wege is a career artist, arts administrator and art educator. Often feeling uncomfortable with reading or speaking in groups for most of his early life, art helped Robertus express his wit and imagination in unique ways. Initially seeing himself primarily as an art teacher, it was during his MFA in sculpture that he began to recognize himself as an artist with something to contribute to the world.

Stephanie Roman

Entrepreneur/Activist

Stephanie Roman created her company, The Bald Barbie Army, to inspire, encourage and support women and girls everywhere to embrace their unique beauty. She believes that the way each of us change the world is the "ripple effect" of positivity and love that each of us propel outward to the people we meet. This "pay it forward" type of ripple saves humanity, one person at a time. Stephanie relishes the support of her family, friends, boyfriend and "fur baby" Annie. She is proud and blessed to have achieved her goal of becoming a TEDx speaker and can't wait to see what is in store for her and all of her "troops" next.