December 5, 2011

Arts Administration program director Cecelia Fitzgibbon and Assistant Professor Julie Hawkins were both named Creative Connectors for 2011. Since 2006, Leadership Philadelphia, in partnership with National Public Radio’s WHYY, has been identifying leaders who advance the arts through their extensive professional networks and creative approaches to impacting the sector. Earlier this year, 76 cultural leaders were named from over 300 nominees. A connector is a term from Malcolm Gladwell's book, The Tipping Point, which refers to people who assist civic, cultural and philanthropic enterprise without needing to gain credit or financial rewards. These Creative Connectors are people in the region's cultural scene who seem to know everyone, connect others for the common good, and get things done without worrying about who gets the credit.

For Professor Fitzgibbon, being named a Creative Connector offers her opportunities to engage the community about the quality of students enrolled in Drexel’s graduate Arts Administration program and the research happening in her program. “It’s an opportunity to demonstrate to the cultural community that our students and program are worth investing in,” said Fitzgibbon.

“At Drexel, there is a strong commitment to the University as an active member of the community that extends beyond the boundaries of campus,” said Professor Julie Hawkins.  “Being part of the Creative Connector project puts into practice our daily work by facilitating the reach of our students, faculty and staff to help build a stronger Philadelphia through arts, culture and creativity.”

Leadership Philadelphia continues to identify leaders in all sectors in Philadelphia.  To learn more about the program and see the other Creative Connectors, please click here.