Theme: Full of Awe: Moments that Transform

TEDx has always made it a goal of bringing forth ideas around technology, entertainment, and design, and this year, we delve into the unexpected delights and surprising impacts of life, exploring everything from the humor in our daily interactions to the profound connections that shape our existence.

Brookdale Community College Performing Arts Center
765 Newman Springs Road, Parking Lot #1 & #2
Lincroft, New Jersey, 07738
United States

Alex Idavoy

Professor

A proud US American of Cuban heritage, Alex was born in Jersey City to Cuban political refugees who fled the Castro revolution. A veteran professor of Spanish and ESL at Brookdale Community College, he has inspired students for over 25 years with his passion for language and culture. He holds a Master’s in Spanish from Middlebury College’s Madrid program and a Bachelor’s in Comparative Literature from Drew University, where he is now pursuing a Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) in Writing. Alex's talk delves into his dual experience of exile—his parents' and his own. Growing up feeling like an outsider both within his family and in broader society, he came to a profound realization: while he believed he belonged nowhere, he, like all of us, belongs everywhere. His story is one of resilience and the power of education to transform lives. His TED Talk will explore the intersections of language, identity, and the immigrant experience, offering insights into finding refuge within oneself.

Anna Boiarchuk

Architecture Student

Anna Boiarchuk is a designer and researcher exploring space’s impact on human perception. Her journey began in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where she studied drawing and composition, later expanding her expertise through the Erasmus+ program in Landscape Architecture at Latvian University in Jelgava. A graduate of Brookdale Community College’s Associate in Science program in Architecture, Anna focuses on spatial planning, innovative design, and their social impact. Beyond traditional architecture, her research delves into AI’s role in creativity across art, architecture, and music. She sees AI not as a replacement but as a tool to enhance imagination, uncovering unconventional ideas and new forms of artistic expression. By blending artistic vision with technology, Anna aims to create functional, inspiring spaces that elevate quality of life. Her work redefines creativity, showing how AI serves as a guide to unexpected possibilities at the intersection of innovation and humanism.

Benny Pough

Music industry expert, real estate investor, conference leader, and author

Benny Pough is a seasoned music industry expert, real estate investor, and author. With over 30 years of experience, he has shaped the sound and culture of music, delivering hits for artists like Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Future. Holding executive roles at Def Jam, Roc Nation, and Epic Records, Pough led major marketing and promotion efforts. In 2020, he launched D.Verse Media, a multi-tiered entertainment company. Beyond music, Pough built a thriving real estate portfolio and overcame a near-fatal accident in 2014, inspiring his book ON IMPACT: Life, Leadership & Almost Losing It All, an Amazon Best Seller. He received the Urban One Honors Record Executive of the Year and speaks internationally. Passionate about public speaking, investing, art, and wine, Pough resides in Bergen County, NJ.

Laura McCullough

Professor

A veteran educator with 25 years of teaching experience, Laura is a full professor of English at Brookdale Community College and has taught at Stockton and Ramapo. Specializing in trauma-informed, emotionally literate curricula, she emphasizes intra- and interpersonal development to help students find meaning and purpose. Her teaching spans writing, research, critical theory, and creative writing, focusing on self-discovery through language. An inaugural fellow in Brookdale’s Center for Transformative Learning, she founded CONNECTIONS, a peer support network for educators. A candidate for the Doctorate in Medical Humanities at Drew University, her research explores care ethics and inherited trauma. Her poetry collections include The Resurrection Jar, Women & Other Hostages, and The Wild Night Dress. A three-time NJ State Arts Council Fellow, she has received fellowships from Bread Loaf and Virginia Center for the Arts. She also edited A Sense of Regard and The Room and the World.

Liam Ryan

Agricultural Science Teacher & FFA Advisor

Liam M. Ryan is the Agricultural Science Teacher & FFA Advisor at Piscataway Magnet School, part of Middlesex County Magnet Schools. He has helped rebuild the Agriscience program and FFA Chapter, equipping students with industry-standard skills in plant science, apiculture, floriculture, and soil science. A Rutgers SEBS graduate with a B.S. in Agriculture & Food Systems, Ryan conducted entomology research under Dr. Chloe Hawkings and turfgrass studies with Dr. Matthew Elmore. He also assisted with WINLABS on the effects of electromagnetic waves on honeybee apiaries. Ryan worked as a Pest Control Specialist at Ehrlich Pest Control before transitioning to education. Inspired by Dr. Xenia Morin, he pursued agricultural education and is now enrolled in Brookdale Community College’s Alternative Route Teacher Certification Program. An Eagle Scout and former firefighter, Ryan actively presents on entomology and agricultural science at various conferences.

Martin McDermott

Professor

A Dean’s List graduate from Rutgers University with majors in Religion and English, Martin McDermott pursued graduate studies in Communication at Ohio State University. He subsequently earned a master’s degree in Communication Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was awarded a Distinguished Scholar Fellowship. With nearly three decades of teaching experience in universities, community colleges, and lifelong learning programs, Martin has taught communication and personal growth skills to over 8,000 students from all walks of life. His current intuition workshops include “How Intuition Changed History,” Intuition as a Business Partner,” “The Art & Science of Intuition,” and “Tales of Animal Intuition.” Martin is also the author of Speak with Courage, Hitch Your Voice to a Star, and the upcoming Follow Your Intuition: 50 Signposts on the Unseen Road Less Traveled. "The Power of Intuition" is his second TEDx talk.

Mathew Siegel

Professor

Mat Siegel is a passionate educator dedicated to enhancing his pedagogy and inspiring lifelong learners. Raised in Monmouth County, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Monmouth University and teaches English at Brookdale and Middlesex College. His courses include World Literature, Mythology in Literature, and Freshman Composition. Mat recently completed a second master’s in English Composition and Rhetoric from the University of Texas at Tyler, focusing on Anime Pedagogy. A lifelong anime enthusiast, Mat integrates anime into teaching as a contemporary, engaging tool. He believes anime fosters student creativity and voice. By leveraging anime’s multimodal nature, he equips students with transferable skills. Beyond education, Mat is a published Frankenstein scholar and a dedicated martial artist, training in karate for over two decades. He credits his instructors for shaping his character and considers martial arts integral to his life.

Nick Stewart

Cloud Support Engineer

Nicholas Stewart’s journey into computing began in Larrison Hall, where a Java course sparked his passion for technology. He earned his Associate Degree from Mercer County Community College before graduating with honors from NJIT’s Ying Wu College of Computing. Through roles in government IT and distributed computing, Nick honed his skills in large-scale systems. At AWS, he advanced from Cloud Support Associate to Cloud Support Engineer, specializing in distributed computing, system optimization, and scalable architectures. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including Solutions Architect and EC2 Subject Matter Expert. As an independent AI researcher, Nick explores cognition and emergent systems, aiming to develop AI that exhibits introspection, curiosity, and self-directed reasoning. He also draws inspiration from cognitive science and philosophy, continuously refining his understanding of intelligence while pursuing creative projects in technology and beyond.