The Center for Applied Imagination, SUNY – Buffalo State, is the first and oldest degree-granting program in the field of creativity in the world. The Center was born out of the vision of Alex Osborn – founding partner of BBDO, pioneer in the field of creativity education, and inventor of brainstorming. Osborn’s dream was to impact education in a way that would ultimately promote higher levels of creative thinking among students; recognizing that he needed to partner with an academic to fulfill his vision, Osborn teamed with Dr. Sidney Parnes to refine Creative Problem Solving into the Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving Process.

Osborn’s recognition of the importance of creative thinking as a workplace and life skill has never been more crucial than in the 21st century. Building off of the legacy initiated by Alex Osborn and Dr. Parnes, the International Center for Studies in Creativity continues to be a thought leader in the field of creativity education and research.

In 1981 I visited the Center for Applied Imagination as an undergraduate student. Every major life decision since then introduced me to ever-expanding roles within this unique academic department. In 1983 I transferred to Buffalo State to study psychology and to minor in creativity studies. In 1985 I joined the Master of Science Degree program. In 1990 I joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor. And in 1997 I became the Department Chair. While other career opportunities have come my way, my steadfast belief in the mission of this creativity center and the relationships with my colleagues has kept my focus on work at this internationally recognized program.

Given the rich history, the depth of accumulated wisdom derived from more than 50 years of practice and research, and the thought leadership found among the current faculty, in my mind there is no better place on the planet to learn about, and develop your creative thinking.

The Master’s in Creative Studies opened my eyes to a new world. It had a transformational effect on my personal life, unleashing a creative potential I did not know I had. Going through the program, I began to internalize creative thinking and to naturally use Creative Problem Solving in my personal relationships and approach to life. As a consequence, my life has flourished in all respects: when you learn to turn challenges into opportunities, you start looking at the world and at other people in a new way, increasing your success and personal fulfilment in life.

- Laura Switalski, Partner, Darwin Associates, and co-founder of CREA Italy