Dr. K. Paige Carmichael is a professor of veterinary pathology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, having previously served as the college’s dean for academic affairs. Dr. Carmichael received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University, completed a combined pathology residency/PhD at UGA, and became board certified in veterinary anatomic pathology. Dr. Carmichael’s area of research is animal models of human disease, and she has studied and published on many diseases common to people and animals. She is passionate about diversifying the veterinary profession and mentoring students and early career faculty. Her many honors and achievements include the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship, the President’s Fulfilling the Dream Award, and numerous teaching awards. In her talk, Dr. Carmichael explores how the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health can create a more sustainable future

Dr. Lisa Renzi-Hammond is an associate professor in the Institute of Gerontology in the College of Public Health. She is also faculty in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program and adjunct faculty in the Department of Psychology. Her expertise is in lifespan sensory and neurological health, and she studies the ways in which making positive lifestyle changes can improve visual function, cognitive function and the risk for neurodegenerative disease. Along with her colleagues in gerontology, she is currently working to improve diagnosis rates for age-related neurodegenerative diseases in the state and local communities. In her talk, Dr. Renzi-Hammond shares what a small yellow dot can tell us about how we live—and how we die.

Cristen Conger and Caroline Ervin are the co-founders of Unladylike Media and the co-hosts of the feminist podcast Unladylike. Both women are alumni of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. The two spent years working together at HowStuffWorks as the hosts of Stuff Mom Never Told You, then launched Unladylike to create the equality-focused content they wished had existed when they were growing up. Now, their mini multimedia empire includes their Webby award-winning podcast, various speaking engagements, an enthusiastic online community, and the book Unladylike: A Field Guide to Smashing the Patriarchy and Claiming Your Space. Throughout their work, Cristen and Caroline strive to create groundbreaking conversations and make room for marginalized voices. In their talk, they share how podcasts can help us build empathy and engage in the uncomfortable.

Dr. LaKeisha Gantt is a licensed psychologist, assistant professor of psychology at Piedmont College, and member of the Athens-Clarke County Board of Education. Dr. Gantt earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Mercer University and both her Master of Education in Counseling and her Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Georgia. In addition to providing counseling services to diverse communities, she advocates on issues at the intersection of education, psychology, and multiculturalism. In her talk, Dr. Gantt invites us to look inward in order to better engage in conversations about race.

Matt Stevens is the vice president of strategic impact at Creature Comforts Brewing Company. Stevens holds a Bachelor of Arts in Drama and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia, as well as a Master of Science in Film Studies from the University of Edinburgh. An advocate for effective altruism, Matt believes every citizen should have a plan to support the city they love and devotes his career to simplifying service in a complex world. In his talk, he explores how making service simple can impact the cities we love.

John Jardin is a fourth-year undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations with minors in Theatre and English. He currently serves as a Student Government Association First Year Forum Peer Leader. In his talk, he examines how implementing LGBTQ inclusive curriculum in K-12 public schools can combat systemic homophobia and cultivate safe spaces for LGBTQ youth.

Taylor ‘Tot’ Keller recently graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and a certificate in New Media from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. After years of struggling with her health, she was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a leading cause of hormonal issues in women. In her talk, she fosters awareness, understanding, and community for those affected by this under-researched disorder and illuminates the barriers to diagnosis that commonly affect individuals with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS.

Dr. Samantha Spellicy recently graduated with a PhD in Neuroscience from the Regenerative Bioscience Center and has since returned to clinical training as an MD student at the Medical College of Georgia. Her PhD research focuses on stroke rehabilitation and therapeutic development. In her talk, Dr. Spellicy explores the trouble and triumphs pharmaceuticals face in their journey from the bench to the bedside.

Our emcee, Alton Standifer is the director of New Student Orientation and associate director of Undergraduate Admissions. After graduating from Georgia Southern University with degrees in Middle Grades Education and Higher Education Administration, Standifer is now a PhD student in UGA’s Public Administration and Policy program. Standifer’s current research interests focus on public personnel and underrepresented faculty in public administration. His experiences as a mathematics teacher and higher education professional have continued to aid him in his mission of connecting citizens to resources that help build strong families, cultivate future leaders, and promote prospering communities.