Faculty Expertise
The Graduate Certificate in Creativity Studies is taught and supported by an experienced group of faculty and advisors.
Fredricka Reisman, Ph.D. (Syracuse University). Dr. Reisman is a Professor in the Goodwin College of Professional Studies and is Director of the Drexel/Torrance Center for Creativity and Innovation. Formerly, Dr. Reisman served as Assistant Provost for Assessment and Evaluation and Founding Director of the School of Education at Drexel. Prior to coming to Philadelphia, Dr. Reisman served as Professor and Chair of the Division of Elementary Education at the University of Georgia and as an elementary, middle school, high school mathematics teacher in New York State, and mathematics education instructor at Syracuse University. She has co-authored a trilogy of books with world-renowned creativity scholar and researcher, E. Paul Torrance, on teaching mathematics creatively. Dr. Reisman is currently creating a Grades 1 and 2 Diagnostic Mathematics Assessment that incorporates creativity theory to be published in 2008 by Scholastic Testing Service, publisher of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Dr. Reisman was awarded the national 2002 Champion of Creativity Award by the American Creativity Association and was appointed to the ACA national Board and currently serves as ACA Treasurer. Dr. Reisman teaches CRTV 501 “Foundations in Creativity,” CRTV 610 “Researching/Assessing Creativity,” and CRTV 630 “Global Perspectives on Creativity.”
David Paredes, M.Ed., (Penn State University). Professional Development Supervisor and Lead Instructional Designer for Unitrin Direct, a mid-sized personal lines insurer and subsidiary of Unitrin, Inc. Mr. Paredes manages the curriculum for the company’s career development and leadership programs. He holds several professional designations in property and casualty insurance, including the CPCU, AIC and AIS. Mr. Paredes teaches CRTV 501 “Foundations in Creativity” and CRTV 503 "Creativity in the Workplace."
Thomas Sontag, M.B.A., Manager of Organizational Development and Training at NRG Energy; former Director of Organizational Development at Drexel University, HR Director with Sovereign Bank, and a leadership program developer for Development Dimensions International. Mr. Sontag teaches CRTV 503 "Creativity in the Workplace."
Rebecca Weidensaul, Ph.D. (Drexel University). Associate Director of Academic and Support Services, Drexel Athletics. Adjunct Associate Professor, Goodwin College. Dr. Gigli received the E. Paul Torrance Graduate Student Research award from the American Creativity Association last year and has been a leader in designating creativity as a life skill for athletes. Dr. Weidensaul teaches CRTV 502 "Tools and Techniques in Creativity."
