Molloy University proudly hosted its inaugural TEDx Molloy University event this February, gathering faculty experts, alumni leaders, and emerging student voices to explore the theme, Resilience, Empowerment, and Human Connection in an Era of Transformation.
The afternoon began with remarks from School of Business Dean Joseph Porter, whose leadership and vision were instrumental in bringing the TEDx experience to Molloy. Having previously launched a successful TEDx program at Nazareth University, Dean Porter championed the opportunity to create a Molloy‑branded platform where innovative ideas and diverse perspectives could flourish. His welcome set the stage for an afternoon defined by curiosity, courage, and meaningful dialogue.
Although the final TEDx videos are currently in post‑production and will be released within the next month, the excitement and pride across campus continue to resonate.
A Program Framed by the Day’s Central Theme
The event featured ten exceptional talks, each illustrating how individuals and communities can adapt, empower others, and strengthen human connection in times of rapid societal, technological, and cultural change.
The program opened with Sherone Smith‑Sanchez, Ed.D., a Molloy faculty member, whose talk The Warrior’s Blueprint: A Discussion of Real Resilience Through Self‑Care challenged attendees to rethink resilience as an intentional, restorative practice essential to thriving amid transformation.
Molloy’s distinguished faculty continued to carry the theme forward through a diverse range of insights:
- Maureen Mackenzie‑Ruppel, PhD, empowered audiences to embrace confidence and authenticity in The Fearless Speaker.
- Ethel Ulrich, DNP, brought heartfelt urgency to women’s health advocacy in The Heart Revolution: Empowering Women to Take Control of Their Health.
- Alexander Chan, PhD, explored the future of learning and the impact of emerging technology in Redesigning the Value Proposition of Higher Education in the Age of AI.
- Jenny LaMonica, PhD, offered a compelling reframing of cultural narratives in Reframing Art History: Power, Memory and the Future.
- Tom Rizzuto, EdD, closed the afternoon with Bone Music and the Role of Physical Media in the Age of Streaming, tracing the intersection of history, resistance, and human expression and it's impact on society.
Alumni and emerging student leaders also delivered powerful messages aligned with the day’s theme:
-
Eduardo Leon Lotero shared a story of belonging in Molloy Just Feels Right.
-
Karina Tiniganay spoke to liberation, advocacy, equity, and personal agency in The Importance and Impact of Women’s Empowerment.
-
Ana Ludemann, M.B.A. offered a global and personal lens on perseverance and endurance in From War to Wall Street: Why Resilience and Discipline Will Be the Wealth of 2030.
-
Mary Kate Muller, M.S. emphasized the irreplaceable power of human connection in teaching in Culture Before Content: Keeping Education Human in the Age of AI.
A Milestone for Molloy
The debut of TEDxMolloyUniversity marks an important milestone for Molloy University—celebrating its thought leaders, elevating its academic excellence, and highlighting its commitment to fostering dialogue that informs, inspires, and shapes the future. As Molloy prepares to release the official TEDx talk videos in the coming weeks, the community continues to reflect on the ideas shared, the stories told, and the transformative spirit that filled the room.