oUR 2022 sPEAKERS

Devin Burns - Our Brains Can Lead Us Astray, but We Can Do Better.

Dr. Devin Burns is an associate professor of cognitive psychology at Missouri S&T, where his research touches on decision making, augmented perception, and human-robot interaction. He enjoys all of the great outdoor activities available in the Ozarks!

Carmel Dare - The Chain Reaction of Food Insecurity.

Carmel Dare is a culinary instructor at Rolla Technical Institute and is passionate about the information she conveys and the student chefs she works with every day. The face of food insecurity is everywhere, learning how to spot that face and help without judgment is her passion.

Chef Dare is a wife to Kyle, a mother to Abby, Nathan, and bonus daughter Anna, and a fierce friend, sister, daughter and educator.

Garry “Smitty” Grubbs - Eliciting a Reaction: Some Fun and Exciting Chemistry Demos.

Dr. Grubbs is an associate professor of chemistry at S&T. He was inspired by a teacher to pursue science and was a first-generation college student. He participated in the US Dept. of Education’s TRiO Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science programs at the University of North Texas which helps students who are first-generation and/or low-income. This is where his interest in science continued to grow while he also learned the tools needed to go to college. In 2001, he was named a Terry Scholar and received a full tuition scholarship to Texas A&M University. He is currently a husband and father to a family of four with a dog.

Chanita Jones - Our Education System Does More Harm Than Good, An Invitation for Change.

Chanita Jones is an educator by nature and by trade. Rooted in the core belief that each human being is an individual expression of a Divine Power, Chanita works in varying capacities to help people recognize and realize their highest potential.

With over 15 years of service in schools, Chanita has become a passionate advocate for transformation in public education. Believing that none of us are the same, and all of us are exceptionally valuable, Chanita envisions a model for education that replaces what she calls, the current standard of standardization, with a universal standard of individualization.

Michelle Schwartze - Where Have All The Teachers Gone?

Education has been a passion of Dr. Schwartze as evidenced by her nineteen years as an educator. She spent thirteen of those years teaching middle school, ranging from grades five to eight and the last six years as an assistant teaching professor for pre-service teachers. Schwartze’s talk will cover ways that education has dealt with current events and how COVID-19 is impacting education today, specifically in the area of teacher shortage. Outside of teaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Evan Johnson - How to Become the Medicine.

Dr. Evan Johnson returns to his home state of Missouri after traveling the world, living in the Jungles, exploring cultures, connecting with different eco-villages/conscious communities, and meeting some of the world's most inspirational people. In his talk, he’ll explain what it takes to become the medicine, the power of healing genetic trauma, and how your unique experience, is your unique medicine! He brings radical experiences, new paradigms of living, and expansive belief systems that bridge culture, medicine, and making the world a better place.

Dr. Evan comes to us with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, a Doctorate Degree Of Chiropractic, and a Self-Proclaimed Master's Degree in Intimacy, Men's Work & Authentic Relating.

Rachel Kohman - Leadership Shouldn't Be A Position.

Dr. Rachel Kohman is the director of Kummer Student Programs at Missouri S&T. From her doctoral studies to the ways she facilitates experiences for students, Rachel has a passion for Adaptive Leadership. Through her work as a student affairs professional, doctoral studies, and personal experiences, Rachel has developed an ongoing curiosity to find creative ways to challenge the theories of leadership being defined as an authority role. She loves helping people consider and apply new ways to act in leadership and finds fulfillment in supporting change for the common good.