Overview
TEDxNSU is an annual event, featuring engaging lectures, videos, visual art, and interactive experiences at Nova Southeastern University under the direction of associate professors Leanne Boucher and W. Matthew Collins. TEDxNSU showcases "ideas worth spreading" from members of our diverse university community.
Thought-provoking events like TEDxNSU support the college's aim to encourage intellectual exploration and the sharing of ideas amongst students, faculty and staff, and members of the local community. TEDxNSU expands this reach to a global audience with videos of the lectures available on YouTube.
Speakers from TEDxNSU 2016: Time
Brendan Eldom is a video producer in NSU’s Office of Digital Media Production who earned his B.S. in Digital Film Making and Video Production at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. On the other side of the camera lens, he is a community leader, spiritual teacher, and public speaker who channels his creativity through various artistic mediums. Early in his career, Eldom made a name for himself as an internationally known dancer, which enabled him to experience the world from diverse artistic perspectives. Having transitioned from the dance floor to the DJ booth, he is currently one of South Florida’s most celebrated DJs, recognized by the New Times as one of the top 10 in both Broward and Palm Beach counties. In 2012, Eldom founded Oceans Deep, a company focused on creating space and opportunity for personal growth through community development. He is also the founder and lead speaker of House of Drums, a community event produced by Oceans Deep and held at the Muse Center for the Arts in Fort Lauderdale. Eldom actively pioneers change and dedicates his time to enhancing the quality of life through community-building. “Dive in” is his life’s motto.
Steven Gold, Ph.D., has been a professor in NSU’s doctoral psychology programs since 1982. In 1990, he founded the university’s Trauma Resolution & Integration Program, a psychology clinic staffed by doctoral student therapists that has earned a national reputation for quality service, clinical research, and training. In 2004, Gold served as president of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. He was president of the American Psychological Association’s Division of Trauma Psychology (2009); served as editor of the division’s scientific journal, Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy (2008–2014); and received the division’s award for Outstanding Service to the Field of Trauma Psychology (2014). Recruited by APA’s Office of Publications as editor in chief of the APA Handbook of Trauma Psychology, Gold has published extensively on trauma-related topics, including the book Not Trauma Alone, which details a model for treating adult survivors of prolonged child abuse. His passionate, enthusiastic, and humane approach to working collaboratively with traumatized people has garnered him invitations as a speaker throughout the U.S. and in Canada, Colombia, Argentina, Spain, and Austria.
An experienced organizational leader, Robert R. Hayward II is pursuing an M.B.A. in International Business at NSU. He is also the owner and founder of The Hayward Global Group, LLC, a Texas-based consulting firm specializing in international development and government contracting. For 12 years, Hayward served in the U.S. Army as a commissioned officer and aviator, reaching the rank of Major. He earned his commission from Grambling State University, where he was nationally recognized as a distinguished military graduate, an honor bestowed upon the top 10% of commissioned second lieutenants entering their military service. With a strong passion for leadership, Hayward commanded on three combat occasions in Afghanistan and Iraq. During his service, he earned a Meritorious Service Medal and a Bronze Star Medal. After completing his M.B.A., Hayward plans to pursue a J.D. to further prepare for advanced public service and diplomatic pursuits with an emphasis in fostering the welfare of U.S. national security through foreign economic development and investment.
Stephen Rafferty is an NSU undergraduate student majoring in communication studies and pursuing a minor in general business. On the side, he is a comedian, YouTuber, Guinness World Record holder, author, and podcaster. At 15, Rafferty started scouting local open mic establishments, trying to get as much comedic exposure as possible. Within five years, he became an entrepreneur of sorts by creating a best-selling book (Fifty Ridiculous Drawings and Funny Sayings in Less Than Fifty Pages), a YouTube interview miniseries called “Untitled Interviews,” and two podcast series (“Insert Title Here” and “Wrestling Is Wrestling”). His works have collectively garnered over 40,000 views, which led to a successful online store for his branded wearable merchandise featuring a graphic of Rafferty’s signature hairstyle. His ultimate goal is to invest his time and energy in projects that provide fulfilling enjoyment. Rafferty is currently pursuing endeavors in the television and entertainment industries. “You cannot change the past, but you can change the future. All it takes is a decision.”
Isabel Rimanoczy’s life purpose is to develop change accelerators. Aware of the complex challenges we and our planet are facing, she works alongside those who can make a large-scale impact. Rimanoczy, Ed.D., developed the Sustainability Mindset, a concept she researched by studying business leaders who champion corporate initiatives with a positive impact on the environment and the community. A scholar in residence at NSU’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, she is the convener and chair of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education Working Group on the Sustainability Mindset, a global network composed of business school professors who promote an evolutionary shift in consciousness. She is also the author of several books, including Big Bang Being: Developing the Sustainability Mindset, and has published over 140 articles and book chapters. Rimanoczy is a blogger for the Huffington Post and is currently working on a book about teaching and learning for responsible management education. She is a partner with Leadership in Motion and co-founder of the nonprofit organization Minervas: Women Changing the World. Rimanoczy holds a doctorate from Columbia University, an M.B.A. from Universidad de Palermo, and a B.A. in Psychology from the Universidad de Buenos Aires.
An NSU alumna, Michelle Rozen, Ph.D., researches, teaches, and practices mediation and conflict resolution through her divorce and family mediation services organization based in New York and New Jersey. She specializes in conflict management and proactive and productive communications. Rozen is also the author of The Effective Mediation and a writer for the Huffington Post. She helps divorcing couples remedy their unique and varied situations and works with corporations of various types and sizes. Rozen’s mission is to help individuals, teams, and organizations diffuse conflicts and encourage conversation, strengthen team dynamics, and inspire superior performance. Her goal is to help clients discover the underlying potential for growth in every conflict-oriented situation, adapt, and make changes accordingly. Rozen holds a Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and an M.S. in Family Therapy, both from NSU.
Rheanna Rutledge, Ph.D., is a visiting professor in NSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. She holds a doctoral degree in communication studies (focused on strategic communication, media studies, and conflict resolution), a master’s degree in education (emphasis on pedagogy, ESL, and cross-cultural education), and a bachelor’s degree in studio art (focused on multimedia, graphic arts, and strategic communication). Several of her most recent publications are considered “breakthrough” research, and many originated from field data collected during her yearlong tour of duty in Afghanistan as a Lead Social Scientist with the U.S. Special Forces. The most influential research connected Afghan culture, religion, and behavior in ways that were able to bring forth previously unknown options toward peaceful negotiations. Her work resulted in a proven reduction of troop casualties in the insurgent strongholds of Afghanistan. For this work, Rutledge received a Commander’s Award from the Department of the Army Commander of Special Forces that states her work “contributed to the overwhelming success of the Command’s mission.” At NSU, she teaches courses including public speaking, human communication, mass media, public relations, and debate. Rutledge enjoys using innovative teaching strategies, experiential learning, and even community service activities to keep her students engaged and active.
Qaas Shoukat is an NSU freshman who was born and raised in Pakistan before moving to Florida in 2010. Shoukat’s experience of living in two different cultures has given him a unique perspective on life and, he believes, has helped shape his personality. While the differences between his homeland and his new home took time to adjust to, Shoukat has found ways to appreciate and adopt the American way of life while holding on to his cultural roots. In his home and on social media, Shoukat stays connected through his native language, Urdu, and he still enjoys Pakistani music and films. In high school, he stepped outside his comfort zone to join both the Theatre Department and the Health Science Occupation Students of America (HOSA) Club. Participating in these groups allowed him to pursue his diverse passions for science and the performing arts. He performed in several plays and musicals and competed in a District Thespian Competition in 2014. As a member of HOSA, he competed at the regional, state, and national levels in the Prepared Speaking event. Now in college, Shoukat is advancing his experience and knowledge in these areas as a biology major pursuing a minor in theatre.
Malav Trivedi, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at NSU’s College of Pharmacy. He has authored several manuscripts implicating the role of metabolic changes and epigenetic-based gene expression changes in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. His continuing preclinical and clinical research indicates that opioids and food-derived opioid peptides induce oxidative stress and epigenetic changes. This can affect inflammatory status and potentially contribute to gastrointestinal and neurological manifestations. Exemplifying the university’s multidisciplinary approach to research and collaboration, Trivedi’s work includes the fields of molecular biology, nutritional biochemistry, pharmacology, and neuroscience. His research interests also include mitochondrionomics, epigenetic and transcriptional changes in neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., Autism), drug addiction and withdrawal, neurodegenerative diseases (i.e., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), and tumor biology and the microenvironment. Trivedi has developed a unique skill set and expertise in the research community; is involved in several regional, national, and international collaborations; and receives grant support for his work.