United
2026
At Georgia College, we believe that ideas grow strongest in common cause. In a world that often pulls us toward the edges, unity is not a given—it is a practice, a choice, a discipline that must be learned and renewed. To be united is not to be the same: it is to bring distinct voices, perspectives, and ways of knowing into genuine relationship with one another. From the civic bonds that hold communities together to the unexpected connections that link disciplines, cultures, and generations, the work of unity is always unfinished and always worth doing. We are a community of explorers, innovators, and doers — joined not by our agreement, but by our shared commitment to ideas that matter. Join us for TEDxGeorgiaCollege as we explore what it means, in this moment, to be united.
-
Shaun Andrews
The Entrepreneurial Educator
Shaun Andrews is executive director of Accelerate Augusta, where he works to bring entrepreneurial thinking into K-12 and postsecondary classrooms. A former classroom teacher and co-founder of a security company he started in college, he has led entrepreneurship initiatives for students ranging from middle schoolers in Charlotte, North Carolina, to more than 1,200 incoming freshmen at Augusta University.
-
Sairsha Connor
The Diagnostic Detective
Sairsha Connor is a digital content specialist at Georgia College. After spending nearly a decade navigating an undiagnosed illness before finally being diagnosed with celiac disease, she has turned that experience into an examination of the gender health gap in medical research and care.
-
Lauren Jones
The Literary Loyalist
Lauren Jones is a Bachelor of Arts candidate at Georgia College in political science and criminal justice. Her talk draws on research into the cognitive and civic effects of reading fiction for pleasure.
-
Andre' Joseph
The Connection Connoisseur
Andre’ Joseph is assistant director of residence life at Georgia College, where his daily work with student leaders has shaped his perspective on how Generation Z builds community.
-
Bekir Mugayitoglu
The Algorithm Artisan
Bekir Mugayitoglu is assistant professor of education at Georgia College, where he has spent fifteen years researching computational thinking and computer science education. A native of Konya, Türkiye, he draws on that heritage, including the philosopher Rumi and mathematician al-Khwarizmi, in his teaching.
-
Tatiana Thompson
The Creativity Crusader
Tatiana Thompson is a Bachelor of Arts candidate in English and creative writing at Georgia College. She taught herself to draw as a teenager and has since become a vocal advocate for protecting human creativity against AI image generation.
Join Our Exploration
TEDxGeorgiaCollege and each of our talks will be broadcast internationally and shared with TED's global network. Our goal is to showcase for the international TED community the unique voices, stories, and ideas that make Georgia College special.