Syracuse University Hosts TEDx “What Matters Next” on April 16, 2026
Syracuse University is hosting a TEDx event on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the KG Tan Auditorium of the National Veterans Resource Center, 101 Waverly Avenue, on the Syracuse University campus starting at 4:30 p.m. The event features thinkers, doers and innovators from a variety of fields coming together to share ideas and inspiring stories around this year’s theme, “What Matters Next.” The lineup of speakers will look “beyond the now” to consider what will shape the years ahead through research, innovation and fusing technology with a creative mindset that values authenticity. The free event is open to students, faculty, alumni and members of the community. Those interested in attending can register online.
Eight speakers have been selected to inspire the audience to look at how they can help drive collective and personal meaningful positive futures through the lens of “What Matters Next.” In addition to the insightful talks, attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow thinkers, share ideas and engage with the TEDx community. This year’s speakers include:
- Sean Kirst, an award-winning journalist and author, who will discuss “The Imperative of True Stories.”
- Monica Jacobs ’27 (School of Information Studies), a Renee Crown Honors student focused on emerging technology and innovation, who will discuss “The Gift of Our Faults.”
- Sofia Gonzalez, a Fulbright Scholar, teacher, education activist and founder of Sofia Speaks, who will discuss “What Urban Classrooms Teach Us.”
- Alhassan Bangura ’26 (Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs), a national student leader focused on strategy, engagement and the power of communication who will discuss “The Weight We Don’t Talk About.”
- Kylie Delaney Martin ’26 (College of Visual and Performing Arts), a storyteller at the intersection of film, marketing and visual narrative, who will discuss “Fan Edits Are the Marketing of the Future.”
- Michael Nedrick G’27 (School of Education), a multi-media journalist, content creator, digital personality and student counselor, who will discuss “Who Matters Just as Much as Why.”
- Adam Peruta, a Newhouse School of Public Communications faculty member, Outstanding Teaching Award Recipient and generative AI expert, who will discuss “When Everything Can Be Made, What Can Be Trusted.”
- Kylee McGrane-Zarnoch, an author, founder and executive director of A Moment of Magic, who will discuss “When a Person Becomes a Patient.”
Co-sponsored by Syracuse University Libraries and the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, the event is being coordinated by Ryan Nkongnyu ’25 G’26 and Sonia Issa ’24 and G’ 25 who will serve as co-emcees. Nkongnyu and Issa were the team behind the successful TEDx 2025 event, ‘Changing the Narrative.”
“We hope to highlight stories, stimulate conversations and open the door to exploring the things that matter as we shape our tomorrow. We hope attendees gain insight and inspiration from this year's event,” said Nkongnyu.
"In times like these, it’s imperative that we look ahead to what matters next. This year’s speakers explore a powerful range of ideas, from artificial intelligence to storytelling, education, and human connection, which challenge us to think differently about the world we’re shaping,” said Issa. “We are excited to set the stage for the next wave of thought leaders who carry forward the spirit of TEDx Syracuse University and inspire action in our community."
For more information about the event, or if special accommodations are needed, contact Ryan Nkongnyu, rnkongny@syr.edu
About TEDx:
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connections. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event.