Keynote Speakers
Amanda Nguyen
Advocate | Astronaut | Author
Amanda Nguyen is an astronaut and activist. She made history as the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman in space. Her bioastronautics research focuses on women’s health. For drafting and passing sexual assault survivor rights in the United States and United Nations, she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and awarded TIME Woman of the Year. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, Saving Five. Amanda graduated from Harvard and was a fellow at MIT.
Amanda Nguyen
Advocate | Astronaut | Author
Amanda Nguyen is an astronaut and activist. She made history as the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman in space. Her bioastronautics research focuses on women’s health. For drafting and passing sexual assault survivor rights in the United States and United Nations, she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and awarded TIME Woman of the Year. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir, Saving Five. Amanda graduated from Harvard and was a fellow at MIT.
Sebastian Terry
Creator of the 100things Philanthropic Movement
Shocked by the death of a close friend in his mid-twenties, Seb Terry experienced a moment in his life where he asked himself a simple question: “Am I happy?”
The answer was NO, and so, he created a list of 100 things that he hoped would transform his life. Dropping everything to pursue his list, not only has Seb’s life transformed through his incredible journey, but the ripple effect has gone on to help millions of people unlock limitless possibilities in their own lives, too.
From Marrying a Stranger in Vegas (Goal #2) and Delivering a Baby (#23), to Living on a Deserted Island for 1 Week (#63) and Helping a Stranger (#26) by aiding a quadriplegic man to complete a half marathon by pushing him in his wheelchair, Seb’s story has been turned into books, reality shows and is constantly featured by ESPN and Discovery Channel.
As an expert in personal transformation, peak performance and creating environments for success, Seb’s commitment to helping others has seen him share his message and frameworks with many of the world’s biggest organizations including Google, Berkshire Hathaway, Bank of America and McKesson.
Recognized for his unique approach in combining brilliant humor, piercing insight and real-time action, Seb’s revered storytelling and interactive teaching style has impacted millions of individuals and influenced thousands of organizations and Fortune 500 companies around the world.
Lulu McGowan
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society 2025-2026 International President
Lulu McGowan serves as Phi Theta Kappa’s 2025–2026 International President. A native of St. Louis and a student at St. Louis Community College–Forest Park, she has followed a rich educational path—from a Spanish-immersion charter school to an all-girls college-prep high school—and now represents community colleges on the international stage. These experiences have strengthened her belief that the right environment can shape identity, inspire growth, and spark change.
Recognized as a Distinguished Regional Officer and a Coca-Cola Gold Scholar, Lulu plans to pursue a degree in international relations with a focus on advancing global menstrual equity. She is passionate about intercultural communication, women’s rights, and global connectivity.
Outside of her academic and PTK commitments, Lulu cherishes time with her parents, four siblings, and cats, Misa and Suki. She’s a lifelong learner who can often be found laughing, practicing Spanish with anyone willing, or—at the very least—dancing through life.
Lulu McGowan
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society 2025-2026 International President
Lulu McGowan serves as Phi Theta Kappa’s 2025–2026 International President. A native of St. Louis and a student at St. Louis Community College–Forest Park, she has followed a rich educational path—from a Spanish-immersion charter school to an all-girls college-prep high school—and now represents community colleges on the international stage. These experiences have strengthened her belief that the right environment can shape identity, inspire growth, and spark change.
Recognized as a Distinguished Regional Officer and a Coca-Cola Gold Scholar, Lulu plans to pursue a degree in international relations with a focus on advancing global menstrual equity. She is passionate about intercultural communication, women’s rights, and global connectivity.
Outside of her academic and PTK commitments, Lulu cherishes time with her parents, four siblings, and cats, Misa and Suki. She’s a lifelong learner who can often be found laughing, practicing Spanish with anyone willing, or—at the very least—dancing through life.
Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society President and CEO
Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner creates opportunities for some of the nation’s hardest working students by connecting them to life-changing scholarships and family-sustaining employment. With nearly 30 years in higher education, she’s been a community college math, chemistry, and physics instructor; computer programmer; institutional researcher; database administrator; and university faculty member. She serves on national boards for the College Promise Campaign, the Center for Community College Student Engagement, Executive Council of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and the Board of Directors for the the Rural Community College Alliance. Her past service includes the American Association of Community Colleges Board of Directors, America’s College Promise, and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. As a passionate champion for students and community colleges, she loves using data to tell their stories and to advocate for the support of these amazing students and quality institutions of higher learning.