Theme: Vision

The first ever TEDxBethelUniversity event is coming on April 4, 2020, bringing to the Bethel community TED’s movement of ideas worth sharing. This event will provide a forum in which extraordinary thinkers and doers will share their Vision with the world. TEDxBethelUniversity is a multidisciplinary event that will cover an eclectic set of topics to inspire participants to engage with diverse perspectives, unique ideas, and challenging insights all centered around the theme of Vision.

Bethel University
3900 Bethel Drive
Arden Hills, Minnesota, 55112
United States

Jay Rasmussen

Photographer

Jay is a self-taught photographer who displays his work in a gallery at the Mall of America and over 20 art shows a year. He makes landscape, cityscape, nature, and cultural images that evoke a strong emotional response in him. When operating in the impressionist tradition, he uses multiple exposures to pursue the feelings, passions, or other intangible qualities he experiences. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Education, serves as a professor emeritus at Bethel University, and is a former elementary school teacher and principal. All of Jay’s work can be viewed at jayrasmussen. smugmug.com.

Jeanine Parolini

Teaching Partner + Leadership Coach

Jeanine Parolini’s passion is to invest in people, leaders, teams, and organizations. She consults and coaches others to be continuous learners and trustworthy, empowering, and innovative leaders. Dr. Parolini is a teaching partner, dissertation advisor, and leadership coach at Bethel University. She was a 2019 Faculty Excellence Award Recipient at Bethel and is an instructor at the University of Northwestern. Jeanine’s book,Transformational Servant Leadership, is one of her many published works. Some are available through her website at jeanineparolini.com.

Jenny Hill

Assistant Professor of Teacher Development

Jennifer (Jenny) Hill has been recognized by WCCO TV for her work as an elementary school library media specialist. She is a 2016 alum of Bethel University’s Ed.D. in K-12 Administration/ Educational Leadership program and currently serves as an assistant professor in the Teacher Development Department at St. Cloud State University. You can learn more about Jenny and her book, Walking With Tension, by visiting her website walkingwithtension.com or finding her on Twitter @Bibliophile84.

Jenny Vang

Graduate Student

Jenny is a leader, dreamer, peacemaker, and is passionate about Asian American representation in public spaces for the empowerment of the next generation of leaders. She graduated from UW-Madison with a BA in Radio, TV, Film (’11), and believes that hope can be restored to those searching for it through the art of storytelling in films. Jenny works full time at Bethel Seminary, where she is also pursuing a Master of Divinity. In her spare time, Jenny enjoys discovering new coffee shops, spending time with friends and family, and spoiling her 2 nieces and 5 nephews.

Josiah Kennealy

College Pastor and Author

Josiah Kennealy and his wife, Micah, lead a movement called Minnesota Young Adults. Josiah is a college pastor through Chi Alpha, the co-host of the youngadults.today podcast, and author of the book Debtless: Helping Students Take On Less Debt. You can learn more and connect online @josiahkennealy or josiahkennealy.com.

Mariah Uphoff

Student

Mariah Uphoff is a senior at Bethel University studying relational communications with a minor in biblical and theological studies. She loves traveling and has recently returned from a study abroad trip to Europe where she experienced the culture and life of over seven different countries. Mariah is passionate about music, sports (especially broomball), her church youth group, and creating laughter and memories with her college friends and three amazing sisters. Mariah is honored to be a part of TEDxBethelUniversity and can’t wait to experience new perspectives on vision!

Michelle Langenfeld

Superintendent of Schools

Michelle Langenfeld has served as superintendent of schools and learning for the Green Bay Area Public School District since July of 2011. During her tenure as superintendent, there were significant improvements in the district’s report cards and graduation rates. Since joining the district, six new schools have opened. She has received numerous awards for her contribution to the community and service in public education. Dr. Langenfeld received her master’s and doctorate in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota and serves as an adjunct professor in the Ed.D. in K-12 Administration program at Bethel University.

Peter Anderson

Product Discovery Coach

Peter Anderson is an experienced product discovery coach with a demonstrated history of helping teams define their products, customers, and outcomes. Pete has technology solution delivery experience with deep expertise in product management, agile methodologies, customer relationship management, business process, and team building. For the past five years, Pete has been accountable for driving enterprise adoption of the product model as part of transformation efforts at two Fortune 125 companies. He seeks to create a strong product management community in the Upper Midwest.

Sarah Arend

Student

Sarah Arend is a senior pre-med student at Bethel University, majoring in philosophy and biokinetics. Her past semester was spent abroad at the University of Oxford where she studied mindfulness and meditation with the Oxford Mindfulness Centre. Her passion for holistic health serves as inspiration for pursuing a career in medicine. Her wish to promote a mindful approach to life has its roots in her practice of meditation. In her free time, Sarah can be found doing yoga and advocating for mental health.

Sherryse Corrow

Associate Professor and Researcher

Sherryse Corrow received her Ph.D. in Child Psychology from the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development in 2013. During this time, she was involved in some of the earliest work to understand developmental prosopagnosia in children. In 2013, she obtained an NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of British Columbia in Canada where she led one of the first successful training programs designed for developmental prosopagnosia. Today, Dr. Corrow is an associate professor at Bethel University where she teaches courses in psychology and neuroscience and continues her program of research to understand prosopagnosia and face recognition.

Stephanie Williams O'Brien

Professor of Ministry + Pastor

Pastor Stephanie Williams O’Brien is a lead pastor at Mill City Church in Northeast Minneapolis and a professor of ministry at Bethel Seminary. Stephanie has opportunities to coach leaders around the country through speaking, producing resources, and her podcast. She is a sought-after leadership coach, helping women and men to be intentional with their influence. Her first book was released in fall 2019—Stay Curious: How Questions and Doubts Can Save Your Faith. Stay curious with Pastor Steph at www.pastorsteph.com.