College & Theater Events

Victoria Arlen

Since winning her gold medal for swimming in 2012, embarking on her broadcasting career with ESPN, and gracing the dance floor of Hollywood, Victoria Arlen has been sharing with audiences her BREAKTHROUGH FORMULA for overcoming even life’s darkest challenges.

Victoria was 11 years old when she came down with a rare viral disease, Transverse Myelitis, with which she battled for five years, including four years in a vegetative coma. The disease left her without the use of her legs for nearly a decade.

Karine Jean-Pierre

<p>Sharing personal anecdotes and inspiration from her history-making career, Karine Jean-Pierre offers a compelling view from the podium at the highest levels of government. </p><p>Karine Jean-Pierre is the former Press Secretary and Special Advisor to President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. She is the first Black person and first openly queer person to serve as the White House Press Secretary and is the longest serving female in this role.

Secretary Jennifer Granholm

<p>One of the most respected leaders in the U.S., Jennifer Granholm provides strategic guidance on how energy policy and technology can drive innovation, transform industries, and create opportunities in a rapidly changing market.</p><p>Drawing from her transformative career which earned her a place on both <em>Time’s</em> Most Influential People list and <em>Forbes</em>’ Top Climate Leaders list, Jennifer Granholm offers audiences a unique insider’s view of the powerful intersection between energy policy and technology.</p><p>Serving mo

Brett McGurk

<p>An instrumental figure in one of the most consequential peace negotiations of our time, Brett McGurk shares compelling insights drawn from his two decades serving as a top national security advisor under four presidents.</p><p>One of the longest-serving and most effective national security experts of his generation, McGurk has been deeply involved in Middle East military strategy, diplomacy and U.S. policy for more than two decades.

Dominique Thorne

<p>Praised by <em>Entertainment Weekly</em> for her “deft exploration” of character, Dominique Thorne shares stories from her inspiring career on stage and screen.</p><p>Most recently seen in the Sundance 2024 hit <em>Freaky Tales</em> alongside Pedro Pascal, Tom Hanks, and Ben Mendelsohn, Dominique Thorne is a rising star of her generation.

Elizabeth Gillies

<p>Known for playing sassy, snarky, strong-willed women on television, Elizabeth Gillies shares anecdotes from her inspiring acting and singing career.</p><p>After rising to fame in her mid-teens as Jade West on the Nickelodeon sitcom <em>Victorious,</em> Gillies made the transition to playing similarly rebellious adult characters, co-starring as Denis Leary’s daughter in his musical comedy<em> Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll</em> and reimagining the role of Fallon Carrington in the CW’s modern-day reboot of <em>Dynasty.</em> In 20

James Kirchick

<p>Widely recognized for his expertise on global politics, history, and human rights, James Kirchick shares compelling insights on the most important issue in the world today — freedom.</p><p>James Kirchick is a journalist, commentator ,and the author of <em>Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington,</em> a <em>New York Times </em>bestseller that explores the history of LGBTQ individuals in the U.S.

Dr. Sian Proctor

A futurist poet, artist, and astronaut-explorer, Dr. Sian Leo Proctor shares her extraordinary story of breaking barriers and reaching for the stars.

Dr. Sian Leo Proctor is a visionary artist, futurist, and explorer who made history as the first artist officially selected to go to space with the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission—also becoming the first African-American woman to pilot a spaceship. 

Nicolas Hamilton

<p>Sharing his inspiring story of unwavering determination, Nicolas Hamilton helps individuals and organizations overcome obstacles, stay resilient through change, and embrace failure to achieve success.</p><p>Born with cerebral palsy, Nicolas Hamilton was told as a young child he’d spend his life reliant on a wheelchair. Not one to be told he can’t do things, Nicolas endured years of grueling, painful training so that by the age of 17 he could walk completely unaided.

Billie Lee

<p>With humor and empathy, Billie Lee shares her unique story to help individuals and groups combat microaggressions, amplify authenticity, and bring awareness to the LGBTQIA+ community.</p><p>Billie Lee is a transgender woman, actor, standup comedian, writer, producer, and activist. LogoTV named Billie as a 2018 honoree of Logo30 for raising awareness for the trans community. She was the first openly transgender cast member on BravoTV’s<em> Vanderpump Rules</em> and she continues to be an advocate and outspoken voice for the LGBTQIA+ community.