Stars of the Screen (U - Campus Speakers & Headliners)

<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 trailblazer in autism advocacy and a world-renowned animal behaviorist, Temple Grandin shares her insights on embracing and learning differences, and how animal behavior can help us solve human problems.</p><p>Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University and has a successful career consulting on both livestock handling equipment design and animal welfare.

<p>The very personification of courage, optimism, and resilience, former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords shares her remarkable story on stage, joined by her renowned speech pathologist, Dr. Fabi Hirsch Kruse. </p><p>Gabby Giffords’ story of perseverance and hope is unparalleled. The youngest woman ever to serve in the Arizona State Senate and a trailblazer in other offices, Gabby became a rising star on the national stage after being elected to the U.S. Congress in 2006.

Star of Mindy Kaling’s hit comedy The Sex Lives of College Girls, Pauline Chalamet discusses her life, career, and creativity.   

<p>An inspiring story that ultimately proves that we all have the power to live our dreams – no matter how small or big they are, Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail solo non-stop and unassisted around the world.  </p><p>Defying criticism from those who said her task was destined to fail, after 210 days at sea navigating some of the world’s most challenging stretches of oceans and surviving seven knockdowns, Jessica sailed back into Sydney Harbour on 15 May, 2010. </p><p>As she docked at the Sydney Opera House, the country wept with pride.

Dr. Dr. Dr. HC (Yes, it’s a thing), Professor of Practice Jamie Hyneman is best known as host and Executive Producer of Discovery Channel’s long running series, Mythbusters. 

Prior to Mythbusters, Jamie was a jack of all trades with jobs and skills ranging from wilderness survival and Russian linguist to sailboat captain and dive master. He is a lifetime member of both the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators, as well as the National Science Teachers Association.

<p>Tyler James Williams is the 2023 Golden Globe Winner for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Comedy or Drama for his role of ‘Gregory Eddie’ in the hit award-winning series <em>Abbott Elementary.</em></p><p>After hitting it off with Quinta Brunson on <em>A Black Lady Sketch Show</em>, she specifically wrote the Abbott Elementary substitute teacher character with Williams in mind.

<p>Brendan Hunt is an actor and writer best known for co-creating the international smash hit TV comedy <i>Ted Lasso</i>, in which he also plays Coach Beard.</p><p>A Chicago native, he is a veteran of sketch and improv comedy, typified by his time with Amsterdam’s notorious Boom Chicago, where he performed with Jason Sudeikis, Seth Meyers, Jordan Peele, Amber Ruffin and other notables.

<p>Jessica Pressler is a contributing editor at <i>Vanity Fai</i>r.

<p>Weijia Jiang is CBS News&#39; senior White House correspondent based in Washington, D.C. Jiang&#39;s reporting is featured across all CBS News broadcasts and platforms, including the "<i>CBS Evening News with Norah O&#39;Donnell</i>," "<i>CBS Mornings</i>" and <i>CBSN</i>, CBS News&#39; 24/7 streaming news service.</p><p> Jiang has covered the White House beat since 2018, including the transition between the Trump and Biden administrations.