College & Theater Events

<p>The lead negotiator behind the historic 2025 Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Brett McGurk shares powerful insights from over two decades as a top national security advisor, serving under four U.S. 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.

<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.

<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

<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.

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. 

<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.

<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.

<p>A leading authority on Asia and geopolitical risk, Isaac Stone Fish is widely recognized for his deep insights into the evolving dynamics between the U.S.

<p>The innovative creator of culturally-inclusive AI software ChatBlackGPT, Erin Reddick provides expert insights into the ever-changing landscape of AI and the importance of inclusive technology development.</p><p>Erin Reddick has forged a vital path in the technology industry. With a career encompassing significant roles at major tech companies including Meta, Microsoft, and AWS, her most impactful contribution to the field is the creation of ChatBlackGPT, an AI software providing perspectives from the Black and African American communities.

<p>Widely considered the leading presidential historian of his generation, Jeffrey Engel connects America’s past with our present, helping our nation find a way forward by bringing history to life with humor and insight. </p><p>Today’s problems are nothing new. The United States has faced wars, pandemics, and political division before. While history is an imperfect guide to enacting a better future, it’s the best guide we have. It’s also a guide both for, and full of, people.