TEDxMSJC 2027 - Belonging

Dr. Candace Saunders-Grewe, Lead Organizer

Dr. Candace Saunders-Grewe is the lead organizer for TEDxMSJC 2027. She currently serves as an interim full-time instructor for the Communication Studies Department at the San Jacinto Campus, where she teaches introductory communication courses (like public speaking), assists student-run clubs, and serves as a Puente mentor. Although Dr. Saunders-Grewe enjoys being in the classroom, her second favorite thing to do is to give speakers the opportunity to share their ideas on the TEDx stage. This is her third year helping to organize a TEDxMSJC Studio event, and she hopes you not only enjoy hearing from our local speakers but that they leave you feeling inspired!

Dr. Colin Steele, Co-Organizer

Dr. Colin Steele is co-organizer for TEDxMSJC 2027 and an associate faculty member in the Communication Studies Department, where he teaches Introduction to Public Speaking for a diverse student population. Holding a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Regent University, Dr. Steele also teaches a range of communication courses across multiple California community college districts, including Riverside City College, Fullerton College, and Mt. San Jacinto College. His research examines the intersection of communication, technology, and human connection, focusing on how media use and attachment dynamics shape relational development and well-being. Dr. Steele is honored to serve as a co-organizer for TEDxMSJC, striving to give voice to diver populations and foster dialogue that promotes curiosity and community engagement.

Colette Murphy, Coach Manager & Coach

Colette Murphy is the coach coordinator and a coach for TEDxMSJC 2027. Murphy alo serves an associate factulty member in Communication Studies Department and English Department at MSJC. She uses culturally responsive teaching to combine popular culture, technology, and innovation in her classes. She is passionate about helping students bridge the gap between their “real life” and academic work, in face-to-face and distance education modalities. Colette is also a playwright and fiction writer, primarily in the genres of romance and fantasy.

Andrea Pasolini, Marketing Lead

Dr. Andrea Pasolini is the marketing lead for TEDxMSJC 2027. She is an award-winning communications and educational leadership professional with 15+ years of experience across higher education, K–12 education, and corporate communications. As Director of Public Information, Marketing, and Strategic Communications at Mt. San Jacinto Community College District, she leads institutional communications, media relations, crisis communications, marketing, brand strategy, and public engagement. A multilingual global citizen, Dr. Pasolini is passionate about building bridges that connect people, ideas, and organizations through strategic communication. She specializes in storytelling that resonates, messaging that moves, and leadership that transforms. Whether leading public relations, creating engaging content, or guiding teams through change, she brings clarity, purpose, and heart to her work. Dr. Pasolini holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership and a master’s degree in Communication and Global Leadership from Gonzaga University.

Alan Marsala, Production Lead

Dr. Alan Marsala is the production lead for TEDxMSJC 2027. He's an associate professor of Digital Media at Mt. San Jacinto College and chair of the Creative Media Department. Prior to teaching, he worked for over ten years in the video production and motion graphic design industries. He has produced content for large and small companies, including documentary and commercial content that has been streamed on various platforms, broadcasted on live TV, and aired on stadium jumbotrons around the country. Dr. Marsala has been working with the TEDxMSJC team for three years now and loves seeing the Digital Media studio used in such a capacity.

Jennifer Baney, Coach

Jennifer Baney is a coach for TEDxMSJC 2027 and serves as an assistant professor (TT) at Mt. San Jacinto College. She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of California, Davis, where she researched social movements and gender, and competed in Speech and Debate. She went on to earn her master’s degree in communication from the University of the Pacific, with an emphasis in political rhetoric, where she coached national competitors and published research on the potential influence of political rhetoric in popular culture.

At MSJC, Baney serves as the Director of Forensics (Speech and Debate), coaches for TEDxMSJC, and serves on the Honors Committee. Outside the classroom, she is active in social justice advocacy and enjoys spending time with her spouse, Christine, along with their two mini schnauzers and two cats. In her free time, she can be found at the gym, on her motorcycle, at the roller derby track, or cheering for the Ducks, Dodgers, or Chiefs.

Dr. David Moss, Coach

Dr. David Moss is currently a full-time instructor at the Menifee Valley Campus. He served as department chair for 15 years. He teaches a combination of both face-to-face and online courses and is always adding new technology or ideas to his curriculum. His experience includes teaching courses in public speaking, interpersonal communication, small group communication, argumentation and debate, persuasion, organizational communication, and gender communication. Additionally, he gets involved in developing curriculum, working on the Occupational Internship program, and is on the professional development committee. He currently serves on the Academic Senate. David received his doctorate in education from Capella University. Some of his research interests lie in faculty mentoring in the distance learning environment. Because of his background in communication, he is interested as to how mentors and mentees interact online.

Rachel Richardson, Coach

Rachel Richardson (she/her) is a coach for TEDxMSJC 2027. Richardson has been an associate faulty member at Mt. San Jacinto College since 2022. Since then, she’s helped hundreds of students conquer their communication apprehension and master public speaking. She is a strong advocate for the growth mindset and credits a speaker’s grit and perseverance for their success. While the ‘gift of gab’ might be considered a talent for some, Richardson believes it is a skill that everyone can not only acquire, but feel confident in.

Monique Leyva, Coach

Monique Leyva is a coach for TEDxMSJC 2027 and serves as an associate faculty member at Mt. San Jactino College. She is also a public speaking coach with over 10 years of speaking experience in live events and academic settings. As a returning TEDx coach, she guides speakers through the entire process, from developing and refining their ideas to managing public speaking anxiety and delivering with confidence and genuine connection. Authenticity is at the heart of both her coaching and teaching. She is passionate about helping individuals find their voice, share their stories, and create messages that resonate with diverse audiences. In her early twenties, Monique pursued acting in film, an experience that deepened her appreciation for storytelling, presence, and audience connection. Today, she combines performance insight with communication theory to help speakers create lasting impact. Monique holds an M.A. in Communication from Arizona State University and a B.A. in Communication from San Diego State University. She is also pursuing her Ph.D. in Strategic Communication.

Dr. Pamela Ochoa Duran is a coach for TEDxMSJC 2027, as well as an educator and a scholar. She serves as an associate faculty member at Mt. San Jacinto College, where she teaches communication studies and mentors a diverse student population. Dr. Ochoa Duran holds a Doctorate in Public Administration, a Master of Arts in Communication Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, all from California Baptist University. Her research focuses on leadership development, succession planning, and equity in education, with an emphasis on Latina leadership in community colleges. Through her teaching, scholarship, and service, she is committed to preparing future leaders, fostering inclusive learning environments, and strengthening institutions through collaborative leadership.