TEDxArcadiaUniversity Organizers: Faculty
Celeste Walker | Dr. Jeanne Buckley
Celeste Walker, Adjunct Professor at Arcadia University and TEDx Organizer. I have been inspired by TED Talks since the very first one that I stumbled upon back in 2007. Following that first TED talk I began to use TED as an inspiration and catalysts for projects in the courses I taught. Sometimes,however, while previewing a TED Talk for a specific purpose, I would find myself moving from one to another staying on the site for hours, coming away with a more positive and hopeful outlook on what could happen and inspired to make a positive change in the world.
During the spring 2011 semester, I used TED.com as my "textbook" for an honors course called Curiosity, Creativity and Communication. Students watched a number of TED Talks and would comment, discuss and debate issues and themes from the talks. They would journal and design "Performance Notes" and periodically present a paper with a visual aid or some sort of in-class project influenced by their analysis. For their final project, the students had a choice of creating their own "TED Talk or creating their own "Virtual" TEDx Conference.
I decided that the next natural step would be to create an actual TEDx Conference. Last summer, with the blessings of my supervisors in the honors department, I applied for a license and began the process. This semester my honors students and I, along with a great number of university department heads and staff, began planning our first TEDx Conference.
On a personal level, I have always followed my passions. I was a fine arts major in undergraduate school and have BFA in Drawing from Kutztown University. I worked for more than 14 years as a graphic designer, but left to realize a more pressing passion, acting. I worked toward a MA at Villanova University and left there to go to NY to get my MFA in Acting at the Actors Studio Drama School at the New School. After graduation I joined Actors Equity and The Actors Studio and used my passion and creative thinking skills to do everything from performing on stage, film and television to creating and producing my own theatre productions. These days I teach actors and non-actors, everyone from children to university students, attorneys and business professionals. Most recently, I've been lucky enough to create a plethora of new and innovative University Seminars here at Arcadia University. I appreciate the freedom and flexibility to create curriculum that includes the following: Investigating Fusion Forms in the Performing Arts, Flying Solo: the History, Evolution and Art of Solo Performance, Shakespeare on Stage with Seniors, Acting 101 & Inside - Out Prison Exchange Program and the honors course and TEDx ArcadiaUniversity: Passion and Creativity in Leadership.
Over the years, I have been blessed with mentors and leaders who were full of passion and creativity. They taught me how to look at problems as opportunities, to find new solutions and that a "no" was not the end, but a beginning. I have always understood that I could do anything I chose to do and that there were people around me who "had my back." I believe that we, the organizers, have come up with a fantastic group of leaders who can bring their own ideas to the attendees of our TEDx conference.
When we approached people to speak at the event we asked them to address the issue of Passion, Creativity in Leadership and talk about what that means to them. I'm sure we will have a broad range of interpretations. That's a good thing!Over the years, I have been blessed with to be surrounded with mentors and leadership examples who were full of passion and creativity. They taught me how to look at problems as opportunities to find new solutions and that a no was not the end, but a beginning. I always believed that I could do anything I chose to do and that there were people around me who "had my back." I believe that we, the organizers, have come up with a fantastic group of passionate and creative leaders who can bring their own ideas about passion and creativity to the attendees of our conference.
When we approached people to speak at the event we asked them to address the issue of Passion, Creativity in Leadership and talk about what that means to them. I'm sure we will have a broad range of interpretations. That's a good thing!
Dr. Jeanne Buckley
Dr. Jeanne Buckley is Director of Library Services and Instructional Technology at Arcadia University in Glenside, PA. where she is also a member of the faculty. Previously, she served as Vice President for Information Technology at two community colleges: Rockland Community College in Suffern, NY (2004-2006), and Delaware County Community College in Media, PA, (1993-2004). Prior to being appointed Vice President, she served as DCCC's Chief Information Officer (1997-00), Associate Dean for Instructional Support Services (1996-97), as well as Faculty Development Specialist (1993-96). Dr. Buckley has a B.A. in English from the University of Maine; an MLS. from Simmons College in Boston, MA; an M.S. in Instructional Design from Syracuse University; and an Ed.D. in Communication, Computing and Technology from Teachers College, Columbia University.
