The votes are in and we are excited to announce the speakers for the 2018-19 HYPE Career Ready® Program. For the third year, Heidelberg students will have the opportunity to hear from six speakers who are sure to be inspirational and thought-provoking.
Terry Crews
September 13, 2018 | Work Styles
Actor
Crews is the true definition of a renaissance man: He’s an athlete, an artist, an author, a filmmaker, an actor, and even a furniture designer. Currently he stars in the show Brooklyn 99, and many popular commercials for Old Spice. A true definition of success, Crews’ life off-screen is as exciting and dynamic as his public persona. He dedicates his free time to keeping physically fit—both in mind and body while also working with the non-profit organization The Polaris Project, a leader in the global fight against human trafficking. For his tireless dedication in helping the organization, he was awarded the UN Global Generation Award at the UN Headquarters in the summer of 2015.
Immaculée Ilibagiza
In partnership with the Lichtman-Behm Genocide Lecture Series
October 17, 2018 | Conflict Management
Survivor of Rwandan Genocide
Born in Rwanda, Immaculée studied electronic and mechanical engineering at the National University of Rwanda. She is a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide that took the lives of nearly one million Tutsi, including her entire family except for one brother. She survived by huddling silently with seven other women in a bathroom for 91 days. She realized that refusing forgiveness would not change anything and, eventually, she met the man who massacred her family and forgave him face-to-face. Today, she is regarded as one of the world’s leading speakers on faith, hope and forgiveness. Born in Rwanda, Immaculée studied electronic and mechanical engineering at the National University of Rwanda. She is a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide that took the lives of nearly one million Tutsi, including her entire family except for one brother. She survived by huddling silently with seven other women in a bathroom for 91 days. She realized that refusing forgiveness would not change anything and, eventually, she met the man who massacred her family and forgave him face-to-face. Today, she is regarded as one of the world’s leading speakers on faith, hope and forgiveness.
Scott Dikkers
November 13, 2018 | Communication
Founder of The Onion
Scott encourages everyone to think outside the box and seize opportunities to create something new. He is co-founder and the longest-serving editor-in-chief of The Onion, which evolved into one of the most popular humor destinations in the world with millions of readers and followers. The Onion has spawned countless viral videos, three TV series, and two New York Times best-selling books. With a comic’s command of timing, Scott paints the picture of a starry-eyed kid who loved reading Mad Magazine and dreamed of one day getting his work published, to improbably founding the world’s first humor website and heading up America’s longest-surviving humor publication.
Jen Welter
January 30, 2019 | Collaboration
First Female NFL Coach
The first female coach in NFL history, Dr. Jen Welter serves as a powerful role model and an inspiring reminder that barriers are meant to be broken. She made history when she coached the Arizona Cardinals’ inside linebackers for their 2015 training camp. She was also the first woman to play running back in a men’s professional football season with the IFL’s Texas Revolution. She released Play Big, in which she reveals the grit and determination that it took to be a trailblazer in one of the country’s toughest boys’ clubs. With germane anecdotes drawn from her experiences on and off the field, she inspires and enlightens with insight on breaking barriers, authentic leadership, achieving the impossible and the true value of diverse teams.
Tarana Burke
February 26, 2019 | Job Search Skills
Founder of the 'me too' Movement and Social Justice Advocate
Tarana Burke shares the heartbreaking story behind the genesis of the viral 2017 TIME Person Of The Year-winning #MeToo movement, and gives strength and healing to those who have experienced sexual trauma or harassment. The simple yet courageous #MeToo hashtag campaign has emerged as a rallying cry for people everywhere who have survived sexual assault and sexual harassment. A sexual assault survivor herself, Tarana is now working under the banner of The #MeToo movement to assist other survivors and those who work to end sexual violence.
Kevin Hines
March 21, 2019 | Values
Suicide Survivor and Wellness Advocate
As a man who survived a suicide attempt by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge, Kevin inspires and educates others about living mentally healthy in the hopes of preventing more suicides. He is a best-selling author, documentary filmmaker, and suicide prevention and mental health advocate who has reached millions with his personal story. At 17, Kevin was diagnosed with bipolar disorder; his suicide attempt came two years later. Since then, Kevin’s strong will to live and stay mentally healthy has inspired people worldwide, and his journey to wellness has become a bridge of hope between life and death to others who seek ways to overcome mental pain and suffering.
HYPE Speakers are selected by a committee aided by suggestions from the campus community.