TEDx celebrates 60th anniversary of the Higher Education Act

By Saige Klein

Blog Content Contributor 

On Saturday, Texas State will be hosting the annual TEDx event. This year’s theme is legacy in education to celebrate the 60th anniversary since the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Former United States president and alumni of TXST Lyndon B. Johnson chose to sign the Higher Education Act at his alma mater. This act granted federal student aid, managed college and university data and higher education policies.

The Higher Education Act changed the course for many Americans, allowing them to pursue dreams in higher education.

Mark Paz is an assistant professor of instruction for the Department of Communication Studies here at TXST and the lead faculty that runs the TEDx event every year.

While sometimes challenging, Paz enjoys all aspects of his duties and roles here at TXST. From collaborating with students to putting on events with speakers and entertainers, Paz seems to always enjoy everything that is thrown at him.

This TEDx event has been happening for the last eight years. Despite that, every year has its own challenges and difficulties.

“With TEDx, there are a lot of moving pieces and a lot of things to organize, a lot of emails to send, and a lot of people to reach out to,” said Paz.

With all the pieces to this big and moving puzzle, watching it all come together in the end is a rewarding feeling. Watching the audience enjoy all the hard work Paz and the speakers put into the event is what keeps them coming back.

“So, the challenging part is coordinating all that kind of stuff, but the rewarding part is, you know at the end of the event, it’s like when it goes well, it’s always like, that was…that was awesome,” said Paz.

Judy Oskam is the director and professor for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication here at TXST. She is also an Honorary Professor of International Studies and has served as head of the department since 2012.

While starting her career in TV journalism, Oskam never planned to spend her life working in higher education. But the world works in mysterious ways and now Oskam will the privilege to speak at the event, giving advice and sharing her experience in her career in higher education.

“I’m just kind of seeing it as a mission to share some information about what I think might be a way for people to think about the university experience in and outside the classroom and how valuable it is…I just feel like it’s just sort of a mission and a passion for me,” said Oskam.

Paz has collaborated with Oskam to be her personal speech coach and mentor. Even with her many years in education, being able to connect with other like-minded individuals for guidance has been a very impactful and helpful experience for both Oskam and Paz.

“With Dr. Oskam, it’s been pretty easy working with her cause she’s very self-motivated to practice and do all that stuff,” said Paz. “That’s been one of the ways I’ve gotten to meet a lot of people and develop relationships with people on campus because we have a lot of faculty and community speakers and that has served as a network for me.”

Alan Grant is a new member of the faculty here at TXST, with this being his first year. He is an assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Communication Studies.

Not only is this his first-year teaching at TXST, but this will be his first time working with TEDx. Like Paz, he works behind the scenes to put on this event and is also coaching two of the speakers including Zach Thomas and Sergio Caravajal-Leoni.

Grant is very excited to be able to be a part of the collaborative staff and faculty on campus and introduce the community to all of the amazing speakers, performers and entertainers.

“It’s exciting, you know it’s kind of nerve racking right, in one sense…. So, for me that is the most fulfilling part is just seeing everything come together and seeing all the hard work,” said Grant.

Furthermore, this event is a way for people here on campus and the San Marcos community to come together to collaborate, learn and grow from each other’s experiences.

If you are interested in attending this event, it will be held at the Performing Arts Center  on campus and tickets are available here.

For TXST students, tickets are free, but do need to be reserved.