SPEAKERS

Casper Shoghi

With improved global connectivity and transportation, borders are easier to travel through than ever before. Yet stereotypes and regional assumptions persist when considering other cultures.

Casper Shoghi is a native Tulsan and TU alumnus.  His lifelong fascination with maps and curiosity for the world around him led him to quit his job and travel the world for an entire year in 2017. With nothing but a backpack and no plan, he traveled to 5 continents and over 40,000 miles, starting in Mexico and ending in Japan. He is still driven to travel the world and explore the vastly different people and cultures that inhabit it. In this talk, Casper works to inspire a more humane approach to travel by sharing his own formative experiences during his year abroad.

Darian Dozier

Self-identity and personal practices are a crucial part of minority cultures throughout the world. Finding ways for these practices to thrive in an increasingly connected world is necessary for continued cultural representation. One point of contention in this effort has arisen in healthcare practices, between western medicine and cultural medicinal practices. In this talk, Darian seeks to share examples of the solutions found in these situations, honoring both individual cultural practices and the best medicinal care for the patient. A harmony does exist between these two ideas, with neither needing to sacrifice for the other, so long as both sides approach openly and willing to work together.

Darian Dozier is a fourth-year medical student who plans to pursue a career in Cardiology. She attended the University of Tulsa from 2014-2018 where she majored in Psychology. After graduating from TU, she attended Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine where she graduated in 2024. As a medical student, Darian has first-hand experience in seeing the clash between western and cultural medicine.

Marcy Crouch

For decades, proper health care for postpartum women has largely been neglected. Health issues like muscle tearing and depression, which are common after childbirth, get a lot of attention and research when they affect other groups of patients. It's time we give postpartum women the same care and focus. In this talk, Dr. Marcy seeks to provide postpartum care the recognition it deserves through her own experiences in her practice, comparisons to similar health issues, and the key steps we can take to disrupt the stigma surrounding this common medical issue and introduce better preparational practices to reduce the postpartum ailments for women.

Dr. Marcy Crouch received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California in 2010. She went on to complete a Women’s Health Residency program in Dallas, TX to obtain her WCS, becoming a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Women’s Health Physical Therapy. She has taught pregnancy and sexual health courses at the University level, worked in private practice and hospital outpatient clinics, and owned her own clinic. Known as @thedowntheredoc on social media, she has spoken at national events, contributed her expertise to popular blogs and magazines, and has been featured on mainstream TV shows. Through her online programs, TheDownThereDoc™ and DownThereDoneRight, she is working towards changing the way women are preparing for their births and elevating postpartum care.

Landon Waters

When we think about student minority groups, we often consider racial or ethnic backgrounds or different fields of study. However, one highly accomplished yet frequently overlooked minority is student veterans. Let's explore how education plays a crucial role in helping veterans integrate into civilian life and succeed in their academic and professional pursuits. In this talk, Landon shares his own story and the accomplishments of his fellow veterans in their post-service education. From extremely high grade point averages to building their own community on the college campus, veteran students are an integral part of the college climate and work tirelessly to better both themselves and the community around them. Through Landon’s expertise, we’re able to capitalize these achievements and share the recognition our veteran students deserve.

Raised in a military family, Landon Waters is a second-generation college student studying Industrial/Organizational Psychology. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a helicopter mechanic. In his eight years of military service, he was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. After the military, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology from SOSO. Landon is a Leadership Fellow with the Student Veterans Association (SVA) and is the Director of Communications for the Tulsa University SVA chapter.

Zaakirah Muhammad

The road to self-discovery is different for every person, and every story. It is so important to embrace authenticity, see life through a different lens, and recognize the individual struggles which lead to self-discovery and fulfillment. In this talk, Zaakirah walks us through her own journey – surviving childhood eye cancer, the crucial role of photography in her life, and thriving despite this challenge to encourage the worldwide community today.

Zaakirah Nayyar Muhammad is an accomplished storyteller, brand strategist, and author. Her journey started with her battling childhood eye cancer, becoming a survivor and a PCOS warrior. Zaakirah has traveled to more than ten countries on four continents in eight years, capturing life through her monocular lens. She has more than a decade of professional experience, empowering people to step outside their comfort zone. In addition to her talents, she is a photographer, and a published author of "Seeing Life Through a Different Lens," which is about the importance of being true to oneself and finding one's purpose. She has been featured in podcasts and summits, where she shares her insights and experiences. She continues to inspire and uplift others through her art and writing, embodying the essence of creativity, authenticity, and resilience.

Mia Ward

There are challenges that biracial communities face which are often overlooked. Societal pressures can marginalize individuals with mixed heritage, making it extremely crucial to recognize and celebrate their diverse identities. Caught in the middle between each side in today’s racial discussions, let’s listen to the story of our multiracial community now so we can hear all sides moving forward.

Born to a biracial couple, Mia Ward has had nearly two decades to grapple with the complexities of what it means to be mixed. Her families, hailing from the Alabaman Deep South and Texan Hill Country respectively, have given her insight into two prominent extremes of racial dynamics and issues. Through countless personal experiences and relationships with other multiracial individuals, Mia has realized that people like her need a voice in today’s racial debates. Despite just finishing her first year at the University of Tulsa, she believes that young people need to broker difficult conversations, and she is more than happy to be the one to do it.

Ronnie Stephens

Ronnie Stephens is a senior business leader with over 25 years of experience in engineering, teaching, and project management. From exploring the Indigenous history of New Zealand, to providing solutions at a leading North American energy company, Ronnie’s mission has always been to foster innovative project management processes, while cultivating teams grounded in respect, trust, and communication. Ronnie’s professional achievements align with his personal heritage as a proud member of the Quapaw tribe of Oklahoma. This identity shapes his perspective and leadership, driving his passion for advancing Native American education and his dedication to diversity and inclusion in every aspect of life. Through his work with the Tulsa Native American Day committee, and his ventures into podcasting, Ronnie is able to open dialogue on leadership, inclusion, and building an organization of trust.

Understanding one’s heritage is a crucial step towards forming a personal identity and story. Learning about a hidden heritage later in life can be shocking, but it paves the way for greater self-discovery and actualization. In this talk, Ronnie guides us through his path of embracing his Quapaw heritage after a tragedy, seeking out his own familial history, and recognizing that identity is essential for all of us. So let’s find it together.

Dana Bowman

Dana Bowman is the author of two memoirs: Bottled, A Mom’s Guide to Early Recovery, and How To Be Perfect Like Me, both published by Central Recovery Press. Her third book: Humble Pie: Addiction, Recovery, and Dessert, published by Rowman and Littlefield will be out in fall of 2024. A writer for Psychology Today, she speaks about aging and menopause, and how she stayed sober throughout. Dana was a high school English teacher for over twenty years, and she now teaches writing and digital media at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, her hometown. She also works at her happy place, her small town library, in the afternoons.

In a delightfully whimsical and uplifting talk, Dana discusses the societal reactions her graying hair gleaned. Paired with the idea of self-worth, invisible woman syndrome, and the very concept of aging, this talk is sure to bring a laugh and comfort.

Katherine Schweit

Katherine Schweit is an attorney and former special agent who created the FBI’s active shooter program after the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. She joined then-Vice President Joe Biden’s team to develop training and best practices for civilians and law enforcement. She co-wrote the FBI’s seminal research, A Study of 160 Active Shooter Incidents in the United States, 2000 – 2013, and was the executive producer for the award-winning drama/documentary film, The Coming Storm. She is the author of Stop the Killing: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis and How to Talk About Guns with Anyone. She also offers hope on her podcast, Stop the Killing, with her London co-host Sarah Ferris, and is a member of the Bureau Consortium consulting group.

In this unbiased TEDx Talk, Katherine draws from her personal expertise in the FBI to analyze America’s gun culture and propose the first few steps forward to achieve a societal change in the wake of hundreds of shootings per year. Katherine seeks to share the history of gun representation in America media, showcase how we reached this point, and the possible paths forward to address gun fatalities – both the shootings seen in the news and the self-inflicted casualties, which constitute the majority of annual firearm fatalities. Although a somber topic, this integral discussion focuses on one of the greatest modern societal challenges and is sure to leave a lasting impression and empowerment for addressing our gun culture.

PERFORMERS

Abby Rush

Light needs to be shed on the violence faced by American Indigenous women, the pervasive PTSD within Indigenous communities, and the alarmingly higher violent crime rates they endure compared to the rest of America. Let’s raise awareness and amplify voices through these poignant and heartfelt stories and poems.

Abby Rush is a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold. She resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she is pursuing her M.A in English Literature. Abby seeks to tell the stories of Indigenous people through her work, always lifting up their voices in her writing and outreach endeavors. Abby is dedicated to spreading her message of wellness through writing across Indian Country.