Secular Student Alliance 2025 National Conference

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SSA Con 2025!

Join us for the 2025 summer leadership conference!

University of Cincinnati
July 17-19, 2025

The Secular Student Alliance national conference is the largest gathering of secular students in the country. For students and the entire secular community, this unique conference experience blends amazing speakers, grassroots training, leadership enrichment, and a secular perspective.

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2024 Conference Speakers and Presenters

conference speakers and presenters will be updated regularly

Sasha Sagan is the author of the internationally critically acclaimed book For Small Creatures Such As We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World. Her essays and interviews on death, history, and ritual through a secular lens have appeared in The Cut, O, the Oprah Magazine, Parents, and beyond. On her podcast, Strange Customs, Sasha explores the idiosyncrasies and history of human culture with celebrities and scholars alike. She regularly speaks in the U.S. and abroad about the ways science can inform our traditions and expand our sense of wonder.
Sasha Sagan is the author of the internationally critically acclaimed book For Small Creatures Such As We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World. Her essays and interviews on death, history, and ritual through a secular lens have appeared in The Cut, O, the Oprah Magazine, Parents, and beyond. On her podcast, Strange Customs, Sasha explores the idiosyncrasies and history of human culture with celebrities and scholars alike. She regularly speaks in the U.S. and abroad about the ways science can inform our traditions and expand our sense of wonder.

Sasha Sagan

Forrest is a biologist and science communicator known for his infectious enthusiasm and boundless love for life. Renowned for his engaging presence on YouTube and TikTok, his dynamic presentations at conferences and conventions, and hosting shows like SkepTalk and The Atheist Experience, Forrest brings together captivating science lessons, thought-provoking discussions on skepticism, and heartfelt advocacy for social progress.

Forrest Valkai

Mickey Dollens is the Regional Government Affairs Manager at the Freedom From Religion Foundation, where he fights to uphold church-state separation and protect religious freedom for all. Dollens has a diverse background as a state representative, author, teacher, NCAA Division I football player, and Team USA bobsledder, he brings a unique and dynamic perspective to advocacy.

Rep. Mickey Dollens

Fish Stark is an organizer, educator, social entrepreneur, and lifelong humanist. Fish has spent his career turning big ideas into bold action in service of belonging, flourishing, and social justice for all people. Prior to joining the AHA as Executive Director, Fish was the Head of Program + Curriculum at Legends, an educational technology startup, where he created products that helped children build positive mental health.

Fish Stark

Willie is an educator, speaker, entrepreneur, author, and advocate. I have a B.S. degree in Finance, an MBA, and an MA in Religious Studies. After spending 40 years as a Christian, Willie walked away from organized religion in 2015. Over the last ten years, he has written and published a book and several articles about NONES, leaving Christianity, and the effects of secularism on society. Willie taught religious studies classes at Georgia State University for two years.

Willie Cartwright

Jake Via, a former National Trainer for Playworks, has spent years helping educators and leaders harness the science of play to create inclusive, engaging environments for kids and adults alike. Now, as the Organizing Director for the American Humanist Association, he applies those same principles to mobilize communities, foster connection, and advocate for humanist values.

Jake Via

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Alicia Johnson

Joe provides chaplaincy services to a hospital, rehabilitation center, and Health Services provider. In addition, he serves as a combat medic in the U.S. Army National Guard where he was activated to protests in Milwaukee and Kenosha. Joe is interested in serving as the first Humanist Chaplain in the U.S. Military.

Joseph Farkas

Evan is an award-winning atheist community organizer with over 15 years experience tinkering with secular communities. He is currently the Executive Director of Atheists United in Los Angeles, CA, the Southern California State Director for American Atheists, and a Board Member for the American Humanist Association.

Evan Clark

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Paul Golin

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Speakers and Presenters

Sasha Sagan

Jeff Hawkins

Rep. Hank Johnson