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ÌýÌýLearn more about TEDxCU, one of the oldest and largest university organized TEDx events in the country

TEDxCU, which focuses on featuring independently licensed TED Talks, is among the oldest and largest university-organized events of its kind in the country. The student-led TEDxCU team hosts events in which talks are filmed in front of a live audience in Macky Auditorium. Students select six to nine speakers per year and work together to finance and plan the event, and coach the speakers. We’re here with Kalen Sieja, the TEDxCU co-curator, to discuss the ins and outs of the program.ÌýÌý

Responses edited for length and clarity.

ÌýÌýTell me about TEDxCU.

The purpose of TED is to showcase ideas that aren’t always highlighted in dominant narratives. I think that the purpose of college and the mission of TED are the same—to get exposure to ideas worth spreading.Ìý

ÌýÌýHow do you choose speakers?

We usually get about a hundred applications from potential speakers. We select about half of our speakers from that pool. One of our speakers is always the winner of our Student Voices Speaking competition, hostedÌýin the fall. For the remaining speakers, we reach out to folks in the community or familiar faces from TV that we think are doing cool things.

Student speaker Leo Heuring delivers his talk in Macky Auditorium in early April. Heuring is studying creative technology and design, and was accompanied by his robotic dog, Corndog, for his speech. In his talk, Heuring explored the meaning humans convey to their robots and the positive outcomes of these meaningful connections. Photo by Jack Moody.

ÌýÌýWhat have been some of your favorite speakers or topics?

It’s so hard to choose! Last year I coached Felony Misdemeanor, a drag queen, who talked about the history of drag and her drag household in Denver. It was so cool to get to know her through that process. We also had the world record holder in Olympic speed climbing do a talk with his coach, which was also really cool.Ìý

ÌýÌýBest reason to join?

It is by far, the best opportunity for professional growth and development that I have had access to in college. We have a team of 60 people and a budget of more than $50,000, so you are essentially participating in a small production company—you learn skills that you can’t learn in a classroom. It is also the No. 1 thing employers will ask about on your resume.

ÌýÌýSo, help me understand: If I were to join, what work would I be doing?

We work pretty much year round to put on the event. Our members are split into 12 teams, all working on different aspects of the organization—from finance to community outreach. That’s one of the coolest things about TEDxCU—whatever major you are, we have a job tailored for your skill set.Ìý

ÌýÌýThat's amazing that so many majors are valued at TEDxCU. What CMDI-specific skills does the club help students to develop?Ìý

There’s a lot of marketing, PR and engagement. Endless communication with organizations in the community, trying to get them to participate, promote our program or even sponsor us financially. We also love folks who are good at public speaking, or want to grow their public speaking skills.

ÌýÌýTell me the most chaotic thing that’s ever happened during a show.

Two years ago we had some videos embedded in our slide deck. The video worked on rehearsal day, the video worked day of—and as soon as the event started, the lights dimmed and the video would not play! That was a disaster—it was video problem after video problem at that event.Ìý

ÌýÌýIf you could pick one person to speak at CU—dead or alive—who would it be?

I’m a political science nerd, so I would love to get a really iconic Supreme Court justice. Like, Ruth Bader Ginsburg or Ketanji Brown Jackson. I’d love to hear RBG talk about being a woman on the Supreme Court in a pioneering time, and her experiences and outlook on cases.Ìý

Interested in joining TEDxCU? For more information check out , and follow on Instagram for event updates and more.Ìý

Ellie Chase is studying journalism at CMDI, with a minor in business. She covers students and student news at the college.