Food Studies  News

Renowned Chef Madhu Gadia says her passions are cooking and nutrition, and the way she shares her fondness for cooking and nutrition is through teaching.

In late October, students from the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics were able to witness Gadia’s enthusiasm first-hand and benefit from her teaching lessons as she was the featured speaker for the Joan Christy Lecture Series on Food and Culture.

The lecture series is made possible by the Christy Food and Culture Fund, which was established in 2005 through the generosity of Syracuse University nutrition alumna Joan Christy ’78, G’81 to provide support for a lecture series in the nutrition program. The annual event involves a discussion of the cultural foodways and a demonstration and tasting of select dishes from the cultural cuisine.

“These lecture series give students the opportunity to learn more outside the classroom and get exposed to new cultures and cuisines,” says Nutrition Science master’s student Kirsten Gunderson ’23, G’25. “I try to attend at least one lecture a semester through the Nutrition Department’s different lecture series because it allows me to gain a deeper insight on the many paths nutrition can take us. With Chef Gadia’s knowledge, students had the opportunity to learn how cooking can be joyous, healthy, and nurturing.”

Gadia, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Diabetes Educator, is known for her home-style, healthy, and authentic Indian cooking. The author of two popular books, “New Indian Home Cooking” and “The Indian Vegan Kitchen,” Gadia has more than 25 years of experience as a nutrition counselor, diabetes educator, writer, and speaker. Her areas of expertise includes healthy eating, weight loss, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health/nutrition-related topics.

Before becoming a best-selling author, Gadia worked as a clinical dietician and diabetes educator. That led to invitations to conduct cooking classes in her hometown of Ames, Iowa, and as she started to accumulate recipes, she decided to write her first book, which eventually was purchased and distributed by the Penguin Publishing Group.

Mary Kiernan’s Food Service Operations class. During the class, the students created an Indian menu of basmati rice, chickpea curry, spicy new potations, and Cream of Wheat halwa for dessert.

“During prep, I admired her meticulous approach to layering flavors; she emphasized that spices should not blend too early and provided specific instructions on when to add each one to enhance the aroma,” says nutrition major Daphnee Chu ’27, who oversaw the preparation of the chickpea curry. “I enjoyed discussing Indian cuisine with her, particularly the distinctions between North and South Indian dishes, which I find intriguing.”

Chu says learning from Gadia was a “fascinating experience,” and Gadia says she is always excited to impart her knowledge on a younger generation.

“The most important thing is that the teacher (Teaching Professor Kiernan) is giving them exposure to other cuisines and expanding their repertoire and interests,” Gadia says. “Maybe 10 years down the road they’ll say, ‘The first time I had Indian cuisine was when this teacher came in and told us how it all works.’”

In the evening, Falk College students, faculty, and staff packed Room 204 for Gadia’s demonstration, where she explained in detail how she cooked each of the dishes that the students helped make in the morning.

“Having tasted authentic Indian food before, I noticed that some of the spices Chef Gadia used were different from what I was accustomed to, despite both being labeled as ‘chickpea curry,’” Chu says. “During her lecture, she explained how ‘spiced’ Indian cuisine is, mentioning that 95 percent of Indian households don’t use curry powder.

“This insight surprised me, as I had never considered it before, and it made me realize that I had never encountered two Indian dishes that tasted exactly the same,” Chu adds. “This experience deepened my understanding of Indian food culture, and I’m grateful to Falk for the chance to work closely with Chef Gadia.”

As Gadia described her preparation and cooking methods during the demonstration, she emphasized that Indian foods are relatively easy to make, and they don’t have to be spicy. At the end of the demonstration, all attendees enjoyed samples of the food that Gadia and the students had prepared in the morning.

“My cooking mantra would be Indian cuisine is simple and easy, and people think it’s so complicated,” Gadia says. “I disagree with that, and my job is to show them how it’s simple and easy.”

Gadia says her nutrition mantra is that all foods, even some of the ones we consider unhealthy, can fit into a healthy diet. Gunderson says she appreciated the opportunity to spend time with a well-known chef and dietician who is equally focused on cooking and nutrition.

“Between her expertise in Indian cuisine and my novice understanding of it, I was able to take away so much,” Gunderson says. “Her comforting nature in the kitchen and the joy she got from cooking was evident throughout her presentation.

“I had not had a prior experience learning about Indian cuisine, but I was most interested in learning about the different spices and how they truly add to a dish,” Gunderson says. “Getting the opportunity to smell and try some spices that I never had before was exciting.”

Please visit the Nutrition Science and Dietetics webpage to learn more about academic programs, facilities, and career opportunities.

For more than 20 years, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Teaching Professor and Graduate Program Director Sudha Raj has been providing support, guidance, and inspiration to generations of students who aspire to become dietetic professionals.

In early October, Raj was recognized for her impactful career in dietetics when she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine (DIFM), a subgroup of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

“Sudha brings a whole-person approach to her teaching and mentoring of students and colleagues,” says Lynn Brann, associate professor and chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies. “She willingly shares her time and knowledge with anyone who is curious to learn more about the benefits of nutrition.”

Raj, a Fellow of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, received the award during the 2024 Food and Nutrition Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“I am honored and humbled to receive the DIFM Lifetime Achievement award,” Raj says. “My deepest gratitude to those who nominated me, my colleagues, students who continue to inspire me every day, and my family who have always supported me in all my endeavors.

“This incredible honor as a recognition of my work is inspiring and motivating to me,” she adds. “It encourages me to continue making a positive impact in the field of nutrition and dietetics.”

According to the DIFM website, the purpose of the Lifetime Achievement Award is to “recognize a DIFM member whose contributions over their lifetime have advanced the principles and practices of integrative and functional medicine and nutrition. This award will honor one who has ‘made a difference’ in education and professional development, furthered professional opportunities and advancement for nutrition and dietetics practitioners, and has demonstrated excellence as evidenced by work that is innovative, creative, and recognized as exemplary by professional peers.”

Raj has been a difference-maker on the Syracuse University campus and worldwide. She was instrumental in developing and implementing one of the first pilot studies to investigate dietary acculturation patterns in Asian Indian immigrants in the United States, and more recently she was one of two Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics members responsible for the inception of the member interest group for Asian Indians in Dietetics.

“Sudha has been a leader in the department and the nutrition and dietetics profession around integrative and functional nutrition for many years,” Brann says. “Due to her leadership and encouragement, several faculty attended a multi-day training to integrate these concepts into our courses and curriculum.

“Sudha has continuously supported the advancement of dietetic professionals practicing integrative and functional medical nutrition therapy by acting as an educator, scholar, and through her public service,” Brann adds.

The eligibility criteria for the Lifetime Achievement Award included two letters of recommendation. Brann wrote one letter, and the other came from Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND, IFNCP, RYT, owner of Nutrition-In-Sight in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Richard says Raj’s vast and varied portfolio showcases her generous contributions to the profession, her students, and all those who benefit from her service.

“Sudha’s skills and attributes are not only admirable, but the lives she has touched with her contributions, advocacy, wisdom, and dedication to the profession are immeasurable,” Richard says. “She teaches with thoughtfulness, depth, and precision while using the Nutrition Care Process in addition to applying integrative and functional nutrition principles.

“In addition, her work ethic and commitment are further illustrated by her roles in her family and community, all while advocating for nutrition as an RDN, researcher, author, educator, leader and contributor in a variety of settings,” Richard says. “It is an honor and pleasure to call her colleague, mentor, and friend and to serve our profession alongside her.”

While the Lifetime Achievement Award signals a milestone in Raj’s career, it does not mark the end of it as she continues her mentorship of students and unique contributions to the practice of integrative and functional nutrition.

“My deepest thank you to my nutrition colleagues for their unwavering support and encouragement as I navigated the field of integrative and functional medicine as a specialty within the broad nutrition space over two decades,” Raj says. “They have helped me develop professional resources and curriculum for education and training.

“My DIFM colleagues have been wonderful mentors; they have educated and provided me several opportunities to share my knowledge in the form of professional development offerings for dietetic professionals,” she says. “I also want to acknowledge Syracuse University and Falk College for supporting my teaching and research interests and fostering my academic interests. I hope I can continue to provide support and inspiration for the next generation of dietetic professionals.”

The Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics is proud to announce the promotion of the following eight distinguished faculty members for the 2024-25 academic year:

Jane Burrell and Mary Kiernan from the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies; Jennifer Genovese and Ryan Heath (with tenure) from the School of Social Work; Bryce Hruska (with tenure) from the Department of Public Health; Rachel Razza and Sara Vasilenko (with tenure) from the Department of Human Development and Family Science; and Patrick Walsh from the Department of Sport Management.

The departments’ Promotion and Tenure committees, along with the Falk College Promotion and Tenure Committee, recommended the promotions after reviewing the faculty members’ areas of teaching, scholarship, research, and service. Recommendations from the Falk committees and Falk College Dean Jeremy S. Jordan were submitted to the Syracuse University Office of Academic Affairs and the University’s Board of Trustees, which granted the promotions.

“The recent promotions at Falk College reflect the exceptional caliber of our faculty,” Jordan says. “These individuals have demonstrated outstanding achievements in teaching, scholarship, and service as rigorously evaluated by departmental and college-wide committees and external reviewers. Their advancement is a testament to their significant contributions and the high standards of excellence we uphold at Falk College and Syracuse University.”

Here’s a look at Falk College’s recently promoted faculty members:

Jane Burrell

Full Teaching Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

Jane Burrell, M.S., RD, CDN, joined Syracuse University as an Instructor of Nutrition in 2009 and became an Associate Teaching Professor in 2018. Burrell teaches a variety of courses exemplifying her value to the Nutrition and Science Dietetics program, and she had taken advantage of resources at Syracuse University and externally to constantly update her courses and pedagogical approaches.

Burrell received the 2023 Falk College Faculty of the Year Teaching Award, and her student teaching evaluations and peer evaluations are consistently excellent. She has contributed service to her profession, the community, Syracuse University, Falk College and her department in several ways, including as a consultant on nutrition education issues with McGraw Hill Publishing; private consultant with the Syracuse Crunch men’s professional hockey team and the Syracuse University women’s rowing and ice hockey teams; and as a member of the Faculty Senate’s Women’s Concerns Committee.

From Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Chair and Associate Professor Lynn Brann:

“Professor Burrell continually seeks new methods for delivering content and engaging with students. She brings her previous clinical practice work into the classroom to provide students with examples of real-life experiences. This is particularly relevant as she teaches courses within the accredited programs of nutrition and students can relate content to their future potential practice.

“Professor Burrell excels in teaching and has demonstrated effectiveness in teaching smaller graduate seminar courses as well as the large (380 person) introductory nutrition course. She provides leadership in teaching and learning within the nutrition programs and the department. Colleagues see her as a valued resource for sharing teaching methods and techniques for effectiveness. Additionally, Professor Burrell is highly available to students, and she provides a welcoming environment to students in her classes and beyond.”

Learn more about Jane Burrell.

Jennifer Genovese

Associate Teaching Professor, School of Social Work

Jennifer Genovese, A.C.S.W., Ph.D., joined Syracuse University as an adjunct instructor in both Child and Family Studies and Social Work in 2010 and became an Assistant Teaching Professor of Social Work in 2018. Genovese is a skilled and versatile instructor who teaches an impressive array of courses central to the Master of Social Work program.

Genovese’s students clearly enjoy her teaching style and commitment to her profession, and her ability to draw on her professional experience is a consistent theme in her students’ evaluations. She has contributed substantial service during her time at Falk College, including serving as the Master of Social Work Program Director and on several departmental committees; mentoring adjunct faculty; and advising the Social Workers United student group.

From School of Social Work Chair and Professor Carrie Smith:

“Jennifer Genovese is a well-respected and highly sought after mental health practitioner in Central New York. She is also an inspiring teacher. We are very pleased with her recent promotion to Associate Teaching Professor and excited about her continued contributions and leadership in our M.S.W. (Master of Social Work) program.”

Learn more about Jennifer Genovese.

Ryan Heath

Associate Professor with Tenure, School of Social Work

Ryan Heath, L.C.S.W., Ph.D., joined the Syracuse University faculty in 2018 and quickly established a productive and coherent research and grant agenda. Heath has been successful in securing external funding to support his research program. As of Spring 2024, he had been a part of over $15 million in external grants, with $685,000 being awarded to him directly.

This early success in securing external funding demonstrates strong potential future accomplishments related to funding. He is also an active early career scholar as evidenced by his 11 peer-reviewed articles, six of which he serves as lead author. Heath publishes in a wide range of journals, demonstrating the interdisciplinary focus of his scholarship.

From School of Social Work Chair and Professor Carrie Smith:

“The School of Social Work is very pleased that Ryan Heath was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure. Ryan’s research seeks to understand how organized activities during out-of-school time (OST) and community schools promote the healthy development of students from under-resourced backgrounds, students of color, and other historically marginalized youth. His community-engaged research holds great promise for building initiatives that will expand and improve community schools across Central and Western New York. We are proud to have him as our colleague.”

Learn more about Ryan Heath.

Bryce Hruska

Associated Professor with Tenure, Department of Public Health

Bryce Hruska, Ph.D., joined Syracuse University in 2015 as a Post-Doctoral Fellow, advanced to a Research Assistant Professor in 2017, and was appointed as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in 2018. During this time, he has established an effective and innovative curriculum/teaching/advising profile at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He typically teaches courses focused on research methods and data analysis and has reliably received high ratings on course evaluations.

Hruska has established a productive and coherent research and grant agenda. He has published 38 peer-reviewed articles in quality journals with 18 as lead author, establishing his ability to lead research activities. Hruska has an impressive record of external funding as evidenced by recent success in securing federal NIH (National Institutes of Health) funding.

From Department of Public Health Chair and Professor David Larsen:

“I’m very pleased to see Dr. Bryce Hruska earn promotion to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure,” Larsen says. “His research in traumatic stress holds great promise for better understanding and responding to the complex mental health burdens our society faces. I look forward to continuing to work with him, and am proud to have him as a colleague in the Public Health department.”

Learn more about Bryce Hruska.

Mary Kiernan

Full Teaching Professor, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

Mary Kiernan, M.B.A., worked in events at the then-Carrier Dome starting 2000 and was elevated to Catering Manager before being hired as a Chef Instructor in the Nutrition and Hospitality Management program in 2007. She was appointed as an Associate Teaching Professor of Food Studies in 2018. The breadth of courses that Kiernan teaches across the Food Studies and Nutrition programs exemplifies her versatility and value to the department.

Kiernan goes beyond educating her students in culinary and food systems and mentors them for careers and life in general. Her many service contributions include serving as the Undergraduate and Minor Director for Food Studies, Co-Chair of the Syracuse University Community Review Board, and Faculty Senator, and being active in her profession with several local and state organizations.

From Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Chair and Associate Professor Lynn Brann:

“Professor Kiernan is reflective of what has worked in the classroom and uses this knowledge to improve the experience for students. Many of Professor Kiernan’s courses involve cooking/food labs. These hands-on experiences are where she shines in the classroom. Students’ knowledge, skills, and confidence grow over the course of a semester and often this is a result of much trial and error.

“In the Farm to Fork class, she guides students to use fresh local produce to create delicious and nourishing meals. In a different course, she leads nutrition students through the process of developing, procuring, and preparing three-course meals that are enjoyed by the campus and community. Professor Kiernan models professional skills and behaviors to students and supports them inside and outside of the classroom to find their passions.”

Learn more about Mary Kiernan.

Rachel Razza

Associate Dean of Human Dynamics and Full Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Science

Rachel Razza, Ph.D., joined Syracuse University in 2007 as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2015. She is an accomplished scholar who has made significant contributions to the field of human development through peer reviewed journal articles, book chapters, academic presentations, and invited lectures. The research program she has established has been supported by external funding totaling nearly $700,000, with additional grant submissions currently under review.

Razza has made significant service contributions to the Department of Human Development and Family Science as chair, graduate program director, and member of several departmental and college committees. Her service contributions extend beyond Falk College as she has been a member of numerous University-level committees and an active leader in multiple professional organizations.

From Falk College Dean Jeremy S. Jordan:

“Dr. Rachel Razza’s promotion to Associate Dean reflects her exceptional contributions to our college. Her extensive research experience, leadership roles, and service commitments have prepared her well for this new position. As Associate Dean, Dr. Razza will undoubtedly leverage her expertise to further enhance our academic programs and research initiatives, continuing to make a significant impact on our college and the broader field of human dynamics.”

Learn more about Rachel Razza.

Sara Vasilenko

Associate Professor with Tenure, Department of Human Development and Family Science

Sara Vasilenko, M.S., Ph.D., joined the Syracuse University faculty in 2018 and since that time has developed six courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 2022, she was nominated by her graduate students to receive the University-wide Excellence in Graduate Education Award, and she was honored with the Falk College 2020 Faculty of the Year in Research Award.

Vasilenko’s research has been funded by numerous internal and external grants from prestigious sources, including the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and National Institute on Drug Abuse. For an early career academic, Vasilenko has an impressive publication record with 67 peer-reviewed publications and nearly 2,500 citations of her work. Since arriving at Syracuse University, she has published 12 first-authored journal articles and five book chapters.

From Department of Human Development and Family Science Chair and Associate Professor Matthew Mulvaney:

“Dr. Vasilenko is both an excellent researcher and transformative mentor in our graduate program. The impact of her work is being felt throughout the field of adolescent health. Her innovative and complex research projects employ cutting-edge methodologies to answer some of the most pressing questions central to adolescent well-being.

“Her work is consistently published in the highest-ranked journals and widely cited. Dr. Vasilenko also serves as an exemplar of a scholar-mentor, training the next generation of scholars in her lab that will make further advancements to the field. She offers her time and expertise generously in order to train scholars to the very highest level and so has been recognized with the university-wide Excellence in Graduate Education Award. Her students in her classes and lab have the opportunity to make their own unique impact on the field through their own high-level scholarship.”

Learn more about Sara Vasilenko.

Patrick Walsh

Department Chair and Full Professor, Department of Sport Management

Patrick Walsh, Ph.D., joined Syracuse University in 2014 as Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport Management and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2017. His program of research focused on sport marketing and brand management has resulted in 39 peer-reviewed journal articles, establishing him as a leading scholar in the field.

Walsh has engaged in noteworthy department, college, university, and professional service activities. At the departmental level, he is coordinator for the Emerging Sport Enterprises Minor and the Sport Revenue Management and Operations Minor. At the college level, he has served on the Falk College Faculty Council, Promotion and Tenure Committee, and Grievance Committee.

From Falk College Dean Jeremy S. Jordan:

“Dr. Patrick Walsh’s appointment as department chair marks an exciting new chapter for our Sport Management program. His expertise in sport marketing and brand management, combined with his experience in program coordination and college service, positions him perfectly to lead the department. As chair, Dr. Walsh will undoubtedly enhance our curriculum, strengthen our research profile, and prepare our students for successful careers in the rapidly evolving sports industry.”

Learn more about Patrick Walsh.

In his work with the U.S. Track and Field team, sport analytics major Dan Griffiths attended the New York City Grand Prix Meet–the final meet for track and field athletes before the U.S. Olympic Trials.

The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and Paralympics are here and representatives from the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics at Syracuse University will have an impact on this year’s Games – and, quite possibly, future Olympic Games.

The Falk College representatives who are involved in several unique ways with the Olympics and Paralympics include current Falk students Dan Griffiths and Livia McQuade, Department of Sport Management Associate Professor Jeeyoon “Jamie” Kim, and Falk graduates and former Syracuse University student-athletes Freddie Crittenden III, Kristen Siermachesky, and Lysianne Proulx. Here are their stories:

Student: Dan Griffiths

At Syracuse University and now with the U.S. Track and Field team (USATF), sport analytics major Dan Griffiths ’26 is helping to revolutionize how performance data is collected and analyzed.

When Griffiths started working with the Syracuse track and field and cross country teams before the 2023-24 academic year, the teams weren’t utilizing a data-gathering system. But the student-athletes were using Garmin wearables to track their own data, so Griffiths built his own application and a tool that transported all of their data into his application, which then created spreadsheets he used to analyze that data.

With Griffiths’ help, the Syracuse women’s cross country team won its first NCAA Division I Northeast Regional championship since 2011. Throughout the academic year, Griffiths conducted and presented his research at various national competitions and conferences, including the UConn Sports Analytics Symposium (he was runner-up in sport analytics research), and the inaugural Sport, Entertainment and Innovation Conference (SEICon) last week in Las Vegas.

Griffiths’ success at Syracuse and his interest in track and field led to his connection with USATF, which gave him the freedom to explore his areas of interest. Using a combination of the latest technology, Griffiths helped create three-dimensional models to best understand an athlete’s musculoskeletal forces.

“For throwers (discus, shotput, javelin), my work focused on using a pose estimation model to detect patterns that could be linked to longer, more powerful throws,” Griffiths says. “For sprinters and distance runners, I used pose estimation data to monitor overtraining and track progress throughout the season and before meets.

“I also conducted extensive research for multi-event athletes in the heptathlon and decathlon,” he adds. “This research aimed to understand how fatigue affects scoring in multi-events and how different training sequences can reduce fatigue.”

Griffiths shared his work with the coaches, and at least two of the athletes he analyzed will be participating in the Olympics: javelin thrower Curtis Thompson, and 400-meter runner Alexis Holmes. During his time with USATF, Griffiths traveled to the New York City Grand Prix Meet–the final meet for track and field athletes before the U.S. Olympic Trials–and the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.

“The thing we think about every morning is ‘How can we win another gold medal today?’” Griffiths says. “Having the opportunity to combine everything I’ve learned and truly be a trailblazer and innovator for USATF and those athletes, especially in a track and field biomechanics context, has made me uber-passionate about the work we are doing at Syracuse and the future of AI/analytics and sports.”

The track and field events run from Aug. 1-11.

Student: Livia McQuade

Livia McQuade ’25 is a sport management major and sport event management minor who has spent this summer in Loveland, Colorado, as an Athlete Relations Intern with Olympus Sports Group. Olympus is a management and marketing agency that provides top sponsorship opportunities and marketing strategies for Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

In her role, McQuade has interfaced with athletes from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams and their partners, and with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and other national governing bodies. Her projects have included reviewing contracts, building athletes’ personal websites, and organizing outlines for athletes’ speaking engagements.

“I’ve had a truly incredible experience within the Olympic and Paralympic Movement – during a Games year of all times!” McQuade says. “Through it all, I’ve had the privilege to work with some of sport’s most impactful Olympians and Paralympians, including Apolo Ohno, Jessica Long, Noah Elliott, Sarah Adam, Alex and Gretchen Walsh, Alex Ferreira, and Steve Serio.”

McQuade, the executive vice president of the Sport Management Club in Falk College and co-chair of the club’s 2024 Charity Sports Auction, says she wants to work with the Olympic and Paralympic Movement following graduation and this internship has been an invaluable step in that process. Her experience with Olympus will continue in September, when she’ll attend the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games to serve as a resource for U.S. athletes, their families, and their sponsors. The Paralympic Games run from Aug. 28-Sept. 8.

“I could not be more grateful and excited,” McQuade says of her upcoming experience in Paris. “My leadership (at Olympus Sports Group)–Ian Beck and Jessica Leonard ’16–have thrown extraordinary opportunities my way, and they will remain valuable mentors long into my career.”

Faculty: Jeeyoon “Jamie” Kim

Jeeyoon “Jamie” Kim is an associate professor in the Department of Sport Management who studies the long- and short-term social and economic effects of hosting the Games and other major sporting events. Kim is the former manager of the Korean Olympic Committee, and on Aug. 8 she’ll present at the 11th International Sport Business Symposium in Paris.

Kim’s presentation will focus on how the Youth Olympic Games, an Olympic-style event for athletes between 15 and 18 years old, can better impact their host city and support the aims of the Olympic Movement.

“The hope for Olympic sport participation legacy is grounded on the ‘trickle-down effect’ (i.e., watching Olympians compete will inspire youth to participate in sport),” Kim says in a Q&A with Syracuse University News. “For the Youth Olympics, the event can also be a steppingstone for younger athletes to compete on the international stage and grow to become Olympians. Additionally, the Youth Olympics offer many grassroots-level sport opportunities (e.g., sport camps, collaboration with local schools) to encourage the general youth to learn about Olympic sports.”

To combat youths’ dwindling interest in the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee added break dancing, sport climbing, and surfing to the lineup for Paris. Kim says this is a critical time for the future of the Olympics as upcoming Games in Paris, Milan Cortina (2026), and Los Angeles (2028) will be held in traditionally strong sports markets where there are opportunities to increase interest.

“Paris 2024 will be the first Olympics to include breaking in the official program,” Kim says. “We will have to see how the event turns out. But, so far, looking at the Olympics qualifiers series and the ticket popularity, it seems like there is a lot of interest garnered for the sport.”

Kim spent 5 ½ years with Korean Olympic Committee as a member of its International Games, International Relations, and 2018 PyeongChang Olympics task force teams. While in Paris, Kim will conduct research in Korea’s Olympic Hospitality House and share her findings with students in her Olympic Sport Management (SPM 356) and Olympic Odyssey (SPM 357) courses.

And Kim plans to attend the women’s individual finals event of her favorite summer Olympic sport, archery. “Korea has been very strong in the sport historically, and it is always fun to watch a sport where my team does well,” Kim says.

For more about Kim’s research and visit to Paris, read this Olympic Legacy story and watch a video of Kim from Syracuse University’s central marketing team.

Athletes: Freddie Crittenden III, Kristen Siermachesky, and Lysianne Proulx

At the U.S. Olympic Trials in late June, longtime U.S. hurdler Freddie Crittenden III ’17 qualified for his first Olympic Games by running a personal-best 12.96 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles. Crittenden finished second overall to teammate and three-time world champion Grant Holloway, who recorded a time of 12.86.

A public health major at Falk and a former All-American for the Syracuse track and field team, Crittenden just missed a bronze medal at the World Championships last summer and now at age 29, the Olympic Trials may have been his last opportunity to qualify for the Olympics.

“It feels amazing. Honestly, I’m still in shock and I’m trying to figure out what happened,” Crittenden said immediately after his Olympic Trials run. “But it’s an amazing feeling to come out here and accomplish what I’ve been trying to accomplish for the past 17 years. It’s beautiful.”

Two former Falk College sport management majors and Syracuse University student-athletes, rower Kristen Siermachesky ’21 and soccer goalkeeper Lysianne Proulx ’21, are alternates for the Olympics with Team Canada.

Proulx is Team Canada’s third-choice goalkeeper, meaning she will be activated if either the starting or backup goalkeeper is injured. Although she didn’t start at Syracuse until her junior season, Proulx recorded the fourth-most saves (281), second-most saves per game (5.3), and seventh-most shutouts (eight) in program history.

Since graduating from Syracuse, Proulx has excelled in professional leagues in Portugal, Australia, and now in the United States with Bay FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. This past February, Bay FC acquired Proulx from Melbourne City for what Melbourne City described as a record-breaking transfer fee for an outgoing A-League player.

A native of Montreal, Quebec, Proulx represented Canada in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. She went to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup as Team Canada’s third-choice goaltender behind Kailen Sheridan and Sabrina D’Angelo, who have maintained their positions for the Olympics.

Like Proulx, Siermachesky ’21 will be available to her team if an injury occurs. But unlike Proulx, her path to Canada’s rowing team featured a different sport at Syracuse: ice hockey. She played four years as a defenseman at Syracuse and recorded a black-and-blue inducing 132 blocks in 125 games for the Orange.

After graduating from Syracuse, the native of New Liskeard, Ontario, considered playing ice hockey overseas but decided to pursue her graduate degree in sports administration at North Carolina. She wanted to continue her athletics career, but North Carolina doesn’t have an ice hockey team. Then-Syracuse ice hockey coach Paul Flanagan suggested she try rowing and contacted the Tar Heels’ coach to make that connection.

Siermachesky’s athleticism and potential caught the eye of the Team Canada Development Team, which asked her to move to British Columbia to train with the national team. Just three years into the sport, she is now on the cusp of competing in the Olympics and it’s likely she and Proulx will remain in the mix for the next summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.

The rowing competition runs from July 27-Aug. 3, while the women’s soccer tournament started July 24 and runs through Aug. 10.

Editor’s Note: This story does not include all Falk College representatives in the Olympics. If you know of someone who is involved and not mentioned, please email Matt Michael, Falk College communications manager, at mmicha04@syr.edu.

Shafreya Wilkins ’25 has a vision for the future: operating her own food truck with mini dishes, such as tacos, sliders, truffle fries and slushies for the kids. For Wilkins—who is especially fond of seafood…calamari, oysters, shrimp, sushi… “I love it all,” she says—the food studies program at Syracuse University’s David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics provided a welcomed immersion in the world of cuisine and food systems.

“I always wanted to learn how to cook to be more independent for myself,” says Wilkins, a fan of the Food Network and the Cooking Channel. “I was always interested in food because it was a part of my upbringing. Food always brought us together. We’re an African American family, so we have soul food every Sunday after church, but we always tried different cuisines.”

Wilkins will earn a certificate in food studies through InclusiveU—an initiative of the School of Education’s Lawrence B. Taishoff Center for Inclusive Higher Education—that welcomes students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to experience college life in a fully inclusive setting. Through classes, Wilkins improved her cooking skills and enjoyed learning how food is grown, processed and distributed. She created a food blog on Pinterest to post local restaurant reviews and plans to shift to YouTube and feature videos of herself reviewing food experiences in different states when she travels.

Wilkins credits InclusiveU for helping her become more independent. The Nottingham High School graduate and Syracuse native enjoys the peer-to-peer mentoring that has helped her make friends and participate in campus activities. She’s honed her self-advocacy skills and attended Student Empowerment Day in Albany and a national student leadership conference in Colorado Springs, hosted by the Taishoff Center. This fall, she’ll intern with OneGroup, an insurance firm that will provide her with a unique opportunity to learn about marketing and development work and to gain knowledge about insurance and owning a business, supporting her goal of having her own food truck.

Wilkins is grateful for all she’s accomplished in and out of the classroom—and it’s a reflection of her perseverance, hard work and faith that have led her to prevail on a difficult journey and inspire others. At age 9, she survived a fire that claimed the lives of her mother and a younger brother. She sustained a traumatic brain injury and fought for her life, spending three months in a coma. During her long recovery, she used a wheelchair and had to relearn everything—how to eat, walk, talk, tie shoes, get dressed. Three years later, she endured another unspeakable tragedy when her father was murdered, leaving her grandparents to raise her and her youngest brother. “I’m very proud of what I’ve overcome,” she says.

We visited with Wilkins to learn more about her and her InclusiveU experience.

How has InclusiveU helped you with your goals?

InclusiveU has helped me have a better understanding of how to maintain a proper goal that I set for myself as far as time management and being prepared for class—and you have to be prepared for life because you never know what’s going to come up. I want to work in food services as a cook in the Syracuse City School District, and then have my own food truck. InclusiveU prepared me and gave me knowledge of how to properly do it. You need a team because everybody needs help. You need the proper systems to work for you.

What experiences have stood out for you?

One of the best experiences I’ve had is traveling to different places, whether it’s Albany or Colorado, advocating for myself. When I came here, I was very shy and didn’t know how to speak up for myself, but now I can speak up for myself and others. My experience at Syracuse University has motivated me to do anything I want to do. It gave me so much confidence that I didn’t have before. I just needed more people around for me to be motivated, to accomplish what I want to accomplish. I think I’m doing that by being here.

Why is it important for you to advocate for yourself?

People think because we have disabilities, we are not capable of learning, and I have experienced that myself. If they tell you that you cannot do it, sometimes you believe it. I believed it for years and was stuck. That’s what took me so long to come to college, because I never saw anybody with a disability go to college. But when one of my friends who graduated from InclusiveU told me about the program, I was interested because I always do research on how to better myself. People with disabilities can do a lot of things. Don’t let anyone limit what you can do. When I started this journey, I knew I could do it.

How has the community aspect of InclusiveU helped you?

We’re a family, we really are. If someone needs help, we are always willing to help. The staff members are amazing. Their doors are always open. We can contact them whenever we need them, and they’re always willing to answer any questions we have, so that’s awesome.

What are the most important things that you want people to know about you?

Even though I have a disability, I still can do whatever someone with a non-disability can do. I know I have to work harder because I have a disability, but I will always prove people wrong and get it done. Another thing about me is my kindness. I’m a very sweet person. Some people take advantage of my kind heart, but I don’t let that stop me from being the person that God created me to be because I will always help anyone in need. My faith is always going to stay strong, no matter what I’m going through.

A Syracuse University story by Jay Cox originally published on May 28, 2024.

Dennis Deninger, Bernard Appiah, and Joey Merrin were honored with 2024 Falk College Faculty of the Year awards for excellence in teaching, service, and research, respectively. The honorees were nominated by their peers for outstanding teaching, scholarship, and internal and professional service contributions and announced by the Falk College Faculty Council in early May.

Chaya Lee Charles, an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies and chair of the Falk Faculty Council, thanked all faculty members who submitted nominations and her fellow Faculty Council members for their time and efforts in the award selection process.

“It is inspiring to see the talent and excellence that we represent as a college, and the high caliber of the nominees made our job challenging,” Charles says. “The Faculty Council is excited to share the results of our thoughtful deliberations.”

Here’s a look at the 2024 honorees with comments from their award presenters:

Dennis Deninger

Professor of Practice in the Department of Sport Management
Evan Weissman Memorial Faculty of the Year Award for Teaching Excellence

From presenter Chaya Lee Charles, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies and chair of the Falk Faculty Council:

Dennis has an impressive and extensive resume, which many of us are aware of. But as a refresher in this, his final year with us, and in the spirit of his broadcasting background, I will now provide you with the fastest three minutes in Dennis’ top-10 highlight reel:

1. Dennis is a former television executive who has produced live sports television from six continents and across the United States. In his 25 years at ESPN, he launched coverage of Wimbledon, the French Open, and Major League Soccer, and was the executive in charge of production for World Cup Soccer in 1994, a dozen Australian Opens, Friday Night Fights, Triple Crown horse racing, and a multitude of other live events.
2. Dennis is a three-time Emmy award winner for categories in innovation in sports television, production on digital platforms, and educational television.
3. Dennis developed for American television the digital instant review technology called “Shot Spot,” which is now in use at all major tennis tournaments.
4. Dennis’ comments and analysis have been quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, USA Today, ABC News, CNN, Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, and many other prominent media outlets.
5. Dennis wrote, produced, and directed the biographical documentary “Agent of Change: David Falk,” which premiered at the ribbon-cutting of the Falk College complex and aired on ESPN2.
6. Dennis has written and directed documentaries working with his students at Syracuse University as his research team. “America’s First Sport” was broadcast across the U.S. on the ESPN networks and explored the history, culture, and rapid expansion of lacrosse in the U.S. and around the world. “Changing Sports, Changing Lives” focuses on sports that have been adapted for persons with disabilities, and how these sports have impacted so many lives.
7. Dennis has a new book coming out in September entitled “The Football Game That Changed America.” It is the direct result of the research he has done for his Falk Sport Management course on the Super Bowl and its impact on American life. He is the author of two books previously published entitled “Live Sports Media: The What, How and Why of Sports Broadcasting,” and “Sports on Television.”
8. Dennis was the founding director of the sports communications graduate program at the Newhouse School of Public Communications, and he has created several new graduate- and undergraduate-level courses at Syracuse.
9. Dennis is an outstanding teacher and colleague, as evidenced by his previous Falk College award for excellence in teaching 10 years ago. He has served as faculty advisor of the Sport Professionals of Color student club, and was an early supporter of the newly required sport management course, Race, Gender, and Diversity in Sport Organizations. He has consistently received positive course evaluations in all courses he teaches, including Sport Communications; Sport, Media, and Society; and the ever-so-popular Super Bowl and Society, in which he arranges for several students to travel with him to the Super Bowl and hosts a live Zoom class from the host city.

And . . .

10. The most important highlight and reason for his receiving this award–Dennis’ engagement with students in and out of the classroom is a model we can all aspire to. Whether providing academic or career advice, he is rarely seen in his office without a student seeking his guidance or support. One student summarized it best: “Professor Deninger has great enthusiasm every day and is a great storyteller, so his lectures are much more engaging than other professors might be. It’s very obvious that he knows the content from both an academic and experience perspective. It was an extreme privilege to be able to learn from this industry professional.”

Bernard Appiah

Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health
Faculty of the Year Award for Excellence in Service

From presenter Lisa Olson-Gugerty, associate teaching professor in the Department of Public Health and a member of the Falk Faculty Council:

Since 2021, Bernard has been faculty advisor of the Graduate Student Association for Public Health, which he helped establish. Under his guidance, the association became the first student association officially affiliated with the New York Public Health Association. Additionally, since 2021, Bernard has served on our department’s Program Review and Assessment Committee (PRAC), a pivotal committee responsible for curriculum review and quality improvement. During his tenure on PRAC, our department achieved accreditation as a “Public Health Program” from the Council for Education in Public Health. In 2023, Bernard served as a member of the Falk Program Review Committee and contributed to the evaluation of SOURCE grant applications, furthering the work of Falk College and Syracuse University.

Bernard has also made significant contributions to our international community, serving on committees relevant to his expertise in pharmacy and health communication. Notably, he is a member of the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) Expert Committee on Healthcare Safety and Quality and the USP’s Drug and Classification (DC) subcommittee. His work with the DC subcommittee led to it being awarded the 2023 USP Award for Outstanding Contribution to USP Standards by a Volunteer Expert Group. Additionally, in fall 2023, Bernard mentored participants in Farm Radio’s online course on using radio for development, fostering impactful radio program design.

Furthermore, Bernard was selected by the Africa Center for Disease Control as a trainer and evaluator for its Public Health Journalism Fellowship program, where he secured funding for a research assistant to attend the conference in Zambia. This initiative contributes significantly to the internationalization of Falk College and the University. In the same period, Bernard joined the expert panel for the development of a manual for blood donor recruitment across Africa, an initiative of the Belgian Red Cross. Finally, Bernard has served as an editorial consultant for Health Psychology and a reviewer for PLOS Global Public Health, enhancing his contributions to the field of global health.

Joey Merrin

Assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science
Faculty of the Year Award for Excellence in Research

From presenter Ambika Krishnakumar, professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science and a member of the Falk Faculty Council:

Dr. Gabriel “Joey” Merrin was selected for this honor from a very strong pool of Falk candidates, all with excellent research credentials.

Dr. Merrin is a developmental psychologist and an applied methodologist whose research agenda focuses on a wide range of important and relevant topics such as identity-based harassment, aggression, victimization in the school context, delinquency, substance use, adolescent development, and the transition to young adulthood. His research indicates a commitment to the lives of minority and oppressed groups, and he is currently engaged in translating and mobilizing research knowledge to inform intervention and prevention efforts in these communities.

In the calendar year 2023 to the present, Dr. Merrin published his work in 17 high-impact journals such as Frontiers in Psychology, Psychology of Violence, Journal of Child and Family Studies, and the Journal of Contemporary Educational Psychology, to name a few. He currently has five manuscripts under review and 10 manuscripts in preparation.

In this academic year, Dr. Merrin presented his research at 16 professional conferences. Dr. Merrin received one external grant from the National Institute of Justice as co-investigator and has one grant proposal under review with the National Institute of Health as Co-PI (co-principal investigator). According to the Scopus citations report for 2023-2024, Dr. Merrin’s research was cited by his peers in 367 articles.

Last week, Dr. Merrin was awarded the Excellence in Graduate Education Faculty Recognition Award from Syracuse University for his commitment to graduate student research. In recognition of his excellence in research and his contributions to the advancement of knowledge, Dr. Gabriel Joey Merrin receives the 2024 Falk Faculty Award for Research. Congratulations!

Food Studies Awards

Chef’s Prize

Awarded to a Food Studies major who demonstrates exceptional ability in the culinary arts. This ability includes attaining food justice and community engagement goals of the Food Studies Program.

Recipient: Rachel Kowarsky

Rachel came to Syracuse University as a transfer student from California. Through her interest in food and nutrition, she stepped up to become a lab assistant in our teaching kitchens sharing her knowledge with other students as she expanded her own culinary experience. Rachel has completed her practicum working with Plum and Mule: a food hub working to create equitable access to local foods. Rachel continues exploring her interest in food systems in the area of logistics and procurement.

Food Justice Award

The Graduate Research Excellence award is given to a graduating student who has been extensively involved in research during their graduate studies, excelling in originality, creativity, and significance of their work. Students are selected based on their overall involvement in research, including collection of data, presentation of research at conferences, preparation of peer-reviewed manuscripts for publication, and impact of their work.

Recipient: Alexandra Brooks

Alexandra grew up in Syracuse and is a passionate advocate for food justice in the city. She has dedicated her practicum requirement to working with Meals on Wheels on behalf of persons—mostly older adults, as well as those of all ages who are post-hospitalization—who are temporarily or permanently without the mobility to access food on their own. Additionally, she has taken an active part on the local organizing committee for the National Right to Food Community of Practice’s June 4-5 Right to Food Summit. This national meeting will include a focus on Syracuse food system inequities and Alexandra has tirelessly worked to bring together diverse community actors to participate.

Community Engagement Award

Awarded to a Food Studies major who demonstrates the ability to create or implement progressive food-based initiatives that engage diverse politics locally, nationally, or internationally.

Recipient: Justus Selah Holden-Betts

Justus is an accomplished track athlete. She brings the same level of energy to her studies. Justus is completing a double major in food studies and environment, sustainability, and policy. As a food studies major, Justus held the position of garden manager at our campus community garden where she successfully planted and tended to over 800 square feet of ground garden and eight ADA accessible raised beds. She also educated many tour groups throughout the season and facilitated garden volunteer hours. Continuing beyond this experience, Justus completed her internship with Syracuse University Sustainability Management focusing on the infrastructure of our two on-campus food pantries. Justus has come full circle at Syracuse University. She began as a nutrition major, switched to food studies and is staying at Syracuse to pursue a graduate degree in nutrition science.

Culture and Commensality Award

Awarded to the Food Studies major who has expanded the Food Studies program to new audiences by sharing food knowledge and practice through social activism.

Recipient: Veronique Camille Wojcik

Commensality is “the experience of people coming together over food.” That definition fits Veronique in the ways she engages across campus. Veronique is often the first person one meets in the food studies suite. She is kind and thoughtful to everyone she encounters and makes sure to include everyone. She has completed her practicum with sustainability management on campus. Always working to bring people together, Veronique was responsible for promoting awareness of the south campus food pantry through the creation of digital and paper signage. She has been an ambassador for food studies throughout her tenure here at Syracuse University.

Food Studies Marshal, Undergraduate

Marshals lead their department in the academic procession and Falk College Convocation. They are chosen based on their academic achievements and service to their department and the Falk College.

Recipient: Jane Alexandra Morales-Pinto

From her first semester Jane took advantage of all that Syracuse University offered. She successfully completed two majors and a minor while working with admissions as a peer advisor. She has continued to mentor incoming students. She completed her practicum with Sustainability Management where she was instrumental in preparing seeds for this growing season and mapping Pete’s Giving Garden for best yields.

Research Award

Awarded to a Food Studies graduate who produces a research project and paper of exceptional quality. The paper should address substantial issues regarding the sustainability of the food system, including food justice, human rights or ecological, economic, and social impacts of food production, consumption, processing, and distribution.

Recipient: Frank Sarfo

Frank Sarfo’s master’s degree thesis looks at on how Central New York farmers are experiencing and adapting their operations to climate change. Frank also was awarded a Moynihan Graduate Studies grant to examine gender inequalities in the Ghanian cocoa industry as well as assisted with on Professor Minkoff-Zern’s research project looking at frontline food system labor and food policy councils. He will be continuing his research career next year as a Ph.D. student in sociology at Syracuse University.

Evan Weissman Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded in honor of Professor Evan L. Weissman, a tireless advocate for equity in the food system. It was created by his family to continue his legacy.

Recipient: Frank Sarfo

Frank’s thesis centers on how CNY farmers are experiencing and adapting their operations to climate change. He visited 11 farms in the area and interviewed farmers about their observations of changes in rainfall, pest complexes, and other production factors, as well as how they gathered and shared information. Frank also was awarded a Moynihan Graduate Studies grant to examine gender inequalities in the Ghanian cocoa industry. This project fits well with his academic orientation and personal and professional values. He plans to take the training and insights he has gained from his graduate studies to address serious issues in a fundamental industry in his home country. In the fall, Frank will begin his Ph.D. work in sociology at Syracuse University.

Recipient: Marguerite Leek

Marguerite Leek has worked on inequity in the food system since she grew up in western North Carolina. As a child she volunteered with the local food bank. As an undergraduate, she worked with her college administration on peer hunger issues. In the food studies program, she conducted a critical analysis of food banks across the country, questioning their role in contradictions inherent in chronic and growing national food insecurity. Additionally, Marguerite has worked on canopy and environmental justice issues at the root of the Syracuse Urban Food Forest Project as well as taking an internship with the Syracuse Onondaga Food System Alliance which Evan Weissman co-initiated.

Food Studies Marshal, Graduate

This scholarship is awarded in honor of Professor Evan L. Weissman, a tireless advocate for equity in the food system. It was created by his family to continue his legacy.

Recipient: Marguerite Leek

Marguerite Leek is a leader in the Food Studies program and on food justice issues in Syracuse University. She has completed a master’s thesis on rights based approaches in food banks across the U.S., engaged in environmental justice research with the Syracuse Urban Food Forest Project, interned with the Syracuse Onondaga Food System Alliance, and is the recipient of the Evan Weissman Food Studies scholarship. She models the kind of community engaged scholarship valued in the Food Studies program in Falk College.

Nutrition Science and Dietetics Awards

Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award in Nutrition Science

Faculty nominate worthy teaching or research candidates.

Recipient: Greta Smith

Greta has demonstrated outstanding performance as a graduate assistant over the past year. Although her program of study does not have a research requirement, Greta actively engages in research activities in addition to her exemplary work in supporting students, demonstrating a versatile skill set. Greta’s dedication to her teaching responsibilities and research endeavors exemplifies her remarkable work ethic and passion for meaningful contributions to the academic community.

Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Nutrition Science and Dietetics

Faculty nominate a graduate student for this award considering their scholarship, citizenship, work ethic and professional promise.

Recipient: Jenna Strickland

Jenna has shown remarkable dedication and leadership in various capacities, from excelling in her coursework to spearheading a new graduate student organization in nutrition science. Her exceptional academic achievements, in addition to her research responsibilities and an intensive nutrition internship with the Syracuse University football team, showcase her commitment to excellence in nutrition and embody the qualities of an outstanding graduate student deserving of recognition.

Nutrition Science and Dietetics Research Award, Graduate

Undergraduate and graduate students in nutrition submit a one-page description of their volunteer/class/paid/ independent study research, and an example of their research (plan or complete), an abstract and a letter of recommendation from their advisor.

Recipient: Sarah Dellett

While some pursue research through textbooks, Sarah went a step further – building a thesis through action. Though she is a master’s student who does not have to do research, she meticulously maintained a mouse colony and performed experiments in Dr. Ramalingam’s lab. She also published a manuscript and has one in the works. Essentially, Sarah crafted a thesis not with words, but with dedication. For this impactful contribution, she undeniably deserves the graduate student research award.

Nutrition Department Marshal, Graduate

Marshals lead their department in the academic procession and Falk College Convocation. They are chosen based on their academic achievements and service to their department and the Falk College.

Recipient: Taylor Bush

Taylor was chosen based on her well-roundedness as a student, including her academic excellence and her involvement in the department as a graduate assistant. She puts her knowledge of nutrition to work as a nutritionist at WIC of Oswego County, and she will do her dietetic internship through the Russel Sage College Distance dietetic internship next year.

Outstanding Dietetic Intern Director’s Award

Current Dietetic Interns can apply for this award via their resume and a one-page write-up conveying why they are worthy, and a letter of recommendation from a preceptor.

Recipient: Sophia Dimkopoulos

This award takes on special meaning this year as it is the last dietetic intern we will award as we phase out our dietetic internship program. Sophia is an outstanding representation of qualities we hope for in an intern. Sophia is articulate, reliable, open-minded, a great team player and one of the most optimistic people I have ever met. She brings sunshine into every room. Sophia completed her master of arts in Nutrition Science here at Syracuse University, prior to entering the dietetic internship. We are proud of all she has accomplished during her time here and hope that she makes her way back to Syracuse.

Faculty Award for Excellence in Nutrition Science

This recipient of this award should be an undergraduate student in Nutrition Science that has demonstrated excellence in their field of study.

Recipient: Nicole Babineau

Nicole’s excellent academic performance, coupled with her work as a Shaw Center Leadership Intern, Syracuse University’s Health Ambassador program, and the Nutrition Education Promotion Association, underscore her commitment to leadership, community engagement, and nutrition education. Next year, she will continue her education as a graduate student at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Selleck Award

This award is presented to a senior student in Human Development and Family Science and a senior student in Nutrition Science and Dietetics with the highest cumulative GPA.

Recipient: Mariana Pérez Lugo

Mariana’s eligibility for this award is clear based on her exceptional academic performance as previously described. She is truly a shing star in our program – an exemplary young scholar.

Susan J. Crockett Prize for Student Leadership

This award is for senior student or student completing their graduate work who has shown outstanding leadership qualities during their undergraduate or graduate studies.

Recipient: Alyssa Quinn

Alyssa is a natural educator and leader with a humble, inclusive and supportive nature that makes others comfortable and curious to learn from her. She quickly stepped up to become the Susan Klenk lab assistant and held that position for two semesters. From her growth as a leader among her peers, Alyssa was invited to work closely with Chef Kiernan developing a summer college course for high school students that developed their understanding of food systems. Alyssa is also known as “Queen of Hillside” for her leadership and engagement working with high school students teaching them about the benefits of nutrition and education. She has also been chosen to manage Pete’s Giving Garden through the 2024 growing season.

Victoria Li Scholarship Award

A junior or a senior nutrition major, a pillar and leader working with the community to improve an individual’s or groups’ nutrition knowledge and/or dietary intake. The award recipient exemplifies some of Tori’s best qualities: compassion (generous with time and energy), positivity and humility.

Recipient: Tess Palin

Tess is an outstanding student who is a Falk Scholar and recently completed her thesis for the Renee Crown Honors College. For her Honors thesis, Tess recognized a gap in the literature on her chosen topic of eating disorders and decided to complete an excellent literature review. Her work in this area will not only provide her with valuable insight for her future graduate research, but also has the potential to contribute to the body of literature in the field. She is the president of NEPA, a Shaw Center intern leading Cooking on the Hillside, and has her own Podcast. Tess will be combining her nutrition degree with a social work degree and plans to work in eating disorder treatment.

Nutrition Science Marshal, Undergraduate

Marshals lead their department in the academic procession and Falk College Convocation. They are chosen based on their academic achievements and service to their department and the Falk College.

Recipient: Nicole Babineau

Nicole was selected for this honor based on her excellent academic performance, coupled with her work as a Shaw Center Leadership Intern, Syracuse University’s Health Ambassador program, and the Nutrition Education Promotion Association, all of which underscore her commitment to leadership, community engagement, and nutrition education. Next year, she will continue her education as a graduate student at Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Nutrition Marshal, Undergraduate

Marshals lead their department in the academic procession and Falk College Convocation. They are chosen based on their academic achievements and service to their department and the Falk College.

Recipient: Lirona Brucaj

Lirona’s resilience, leadership, and commitment to excellence have been exemplified by several academic honors and awards, such as being a Renée Crown Honors Student, 1870 Scholar, and an Invest in SUccess Scholar. She actively engages in community service as an Admissions Intern and Nutrition Education Volunteer. Lirona was selected for this award because, in addition to her academic achievements, she brings a smile to everything she does and always goes out of her way to be inclusive of all. In the fall, she will continue her journey to becoming a nutrition professional at Boston University.

Falk College Marshal

Senior Class Marshals have excelled during their time on campus and exemplify the spirit of the senior class. The selection committee assesses the nominees on scholarship, academic honors, student organization involvement, and campus/community service.

Recipient: Mariana Pérez Lugo

Mariana is a standout example of academic ability and leadership. She transitioned from attending SU’s Summer College Pre-Med & Health Professions program as a high school student to becoming one of 12 exceptional Syracuse University Scholars. Mariana’s dedication and compassion have enhanced the SU community over the past four years and now distinguish her as an exceptional candidate for medical school. From her prestigious scholarships to her research achievements, Mariana epitomizes the spirit of a Syracuse University Scholar, truly embodying academic excellence, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge.

Two decades after the launch of its sport management program, Syracuse University today announced that as a result of its significant growth and academic excellence, the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics will become the David B. Falk College of Sport. The first-of-its-kind college will focus exclusively on sport-related disciplines, making the University among the leading academic institutions for preparing students to drive innovation among and lead in sport-related fields and industries.

“Falk College has experienced extraordinary growth, particularly in its renowned sport management program, over the last 20 years, thanks in large part to its innovative faculty and the relentless energy and leadership of former Dean Diane Lyden Murphy,” says Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer Gretchen Ritter. “With the growth of sport participation domestically and globally, there is unprecedented demand for talented practitioners and leaders. The Falk College of Sport will produce hundreds of students every year who are educated across multiple disciplines and well-prepared to lead in the burgeoning sports field.”

Reimagining Falk College

Since launching its sport management program in 2005 and later adding programs in sport analytics and esports communications and management, Falk College has achieved prominent status as a national leader in sport education. This transformation will make Falk College the first standalone college on an R1 campus that specifically focuses on sport through a holistic academic lens.

Dean Jeremy Jordan, who was appointed last July, says this transformation will expand and enrich sport scholarship at Syracuse.

“Syracuse University has long been a leader in the development of sport-related programs,” says Jordan. “From creating the first-ever sports analytics program to the recent launch of an esports major, the University and Falk College have demonstrated the value of and important role sport plays in the day-to-day lives of people, and not just elite athletes. This reimagination of Falk College is a bold step in solidifying Syracuse University as the preeminent institution for sport-related academic study in the country.”

The reimagined Falk College of Sport will house academic programs in sport management, sport analytics, exercise science, nutrition and, jointly with the Newhouse School, esports. It will focus on four areas of academic excellence: Sport Business, Human Performance, Sport Technology and Innovation, and Community Sport and Wellness. The college will also launch a new research institute focused on sport, which will leverage an interdisciplinary, cross-campus approach to drive innovation in sport and health outcomes and integrate expertise in business, digital media, and technology, among other areas of academic focus. It may include creating new or expanding partnerships among the University’s schools, colleges and academic units, such as the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, the Whitman School of Management, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the College of Law and others.

Today’s announcement follows a months-long exercise during which a Sport Management Task Force, consisting of faculty, staff and academic leaders, was charged with identifying ways to enhance and extend Falk’s excellence in sport-related programs. The task force, co-chaired by Jeff Rubin, senior vice president for digital transformation and chief digital officer, and Jamie Winders, associate provost for faculty affairs, submitted a report to Provost Ritter earlier this academic year. Recommendations outlined tangible action the University can take to connect, align and integrate teaching and research related to sport across the academic enterprise.

“The task force concluded that there is a timely opportunity for Falk to build on its strengths and capitalize on relevant marketplace trends,” says Rubin. “As someone who has worked in this space for nearly three decades, there is no better time for Syracuse University to take this bold step than now. Organizations across the country and around the globe are looking for career-ready talent. Falk College is poised to meet that need.”

The work happening in Falk College aligns with the University’s commitment to applying an entrepreneurial and innovative philosophy to elevating sport across the campus. In addition to enhancing sport-related academic opportunities, the University has also taken steps in recent years to widen the availability of esports–academically and recreationally—and has grown current and created new club sport programs.

Shaping the Future of Human Dynamics

As part of the Falk transformation, Syracuse University will invest in a strategic reimagination of human dynamics academic programs with the goal of positioning them for future success and impact. To support this work, Provost Ritter will convene a Human Dynamics Task Force, consisting of academic leaders, department chairs and program directors, faculty, alumni and community partners. The task force will be charged with reviewing the college’s human dynamics programs and identifying future pathways for their growth and success. These academic programs include human development and family science, marriage and family therapy, public health and social work. Students enrolled in these programs and beginning at Syracuse University in Fall 2024 will not be impacted by the University’s reimagination of its human dynamics portfolio.

Provost Ritter says given the increasingly complex public health landscape and the growing global need for health and human services and credentialed professionals, the time is right to reimagine these longstanding academic programs to meet emerging demands in their fields.

“The Human Dynamics Task Force will determine prospects for expansion, innovation and alignment with the University’s overall Academic Strategic Plan, ‘Leading with Distinction,’” says Ritter. “These programs have a deep history at Syracuse University and have had a profound impact on the City of Syracuse, Central New York and communities around the globe. The faculty who teach and research in these disciplines will have the opportunity to review, reimagine and shape the future of the programs with the full support of the University.”

Provost Ritter has asked Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Lois Agnew and newly-appointed Associate Dean for Human Dynamics Programs Rachel Razza, associate professor and previously chair and graduate director in the Department of Human Development and Family Science, to lead and guide the reimagination of the human dynamics programs. The task force will be supported by an external consultant to help it execute on its charge. Additionally, given the significant synergy between the programs and the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County, Syracuse Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens and Deputy County Executive for Human Services Ann Rooney have also agreed to serve on the task force.

“I am grateful to Lois, Rachel, Deputy Mayor Owens and Deputy County Executive Rooney for their willingness to collaborate on this important work, and I look forward to partnering with the other members of the task force,” says Provost Ritter. “These areas of academic excellence are not only central to our University’s mission but also critical to the communities, particularly those who are currently underserved, that our students will eventually serve as the next generation of social workers, therapists, public health professionals and human services providers.”

The Human Dynamics Task Force will receive its charge from Provost Ritter by the end of the spring semester. It will begin its work in earnest over the summer and submit its findings to the provost by the end of October.

An SU News story originally published on April 15, 2024.

Falk College’s Sudha Raj, Ken Marfilius and Katie McDonald will be honored at the April 19 One University Awards in Hendricks Chapel.

The One University Awards Ceremony, an annual event to honor members of the Syracuse University community who are making a difference through academics, scholarship, creative work and dedicated service, will be held Friday, April 19, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.

“Every year, we come together to celebrate the outstanding contributions and tremendous success of our students, faculty, staff and broader community,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “The accomplishments of this year’s recipients reinforce what it means to be Orange. This ceremony also shines a bright spotlight on the work being done around campus, much of which happens behind the scenes. I thank the many members of our community who organized this event and look forward to recognizing this year’s winners.”

Two major awards—the Chancellor’s Medal and the Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence—will be bestowed. The ceremony will also include the presentation of the Student-Athlete Award, Judith Seinfeld Scholarship, Meredith Professorship for Teaching Excellence, Teaching Recognition Award, Diversity and Inclusion Award, William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning and Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award.

Emeriti faculty who retired in 2023 and employees who celebrated years of service milestones in 2023 will also be recognized. This year’s University Scholars, Senior Class and School and College Marshals, and Remembrance and Lockerbie Scholars will also be honored.

All members of the University community are invited and encouraged to attend. A reception will follow in the lobby of the Heroy Geology Laboratory.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) will be provided at the ceremony. For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, contact Gabe Coleman at gbcolma@syr.edu.

Award Recipients

The Chancellor’s Medal is the University’s highest honor and is awarded to individuals in honor of their trailblazing and extraordinary contributions to the University, to an academic body of knowledge or to society. This year’s recipient is Shiu-Kai Chin, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The Chancellor’s Citation for Excellencerecognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in four overarching categories:

• The award for Excellence in Student Research recognizes students who have engaged in collaborative research that has the potential to make a deep and lasting impact on greater society. This year’s recipients are Jingjing Ji, a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering in the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (graduate), and Ashtha Singh, an international relations major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and citizenship and civic engagement major in the Maxwell School (undergraduate).
• The award for Outstanding Contributions to the Student Experience and University Initiatives acknowledges faculty and staff who, through their work, enhance the undergraduate experience for students or make invaluable contributions to supporting and advancing the University’s mission and goals. The recipients are Charisse L’Pree Corsbie-Massay, associate professor of communications in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (faculty); Maureen Casey, chief operating officer for the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (professional staff); Amy Schmidt, program coordinator of citizenship and civic engagement in the Maxwell School (professional staff) and Jolanta Niwelt, events coordinator at Lubin House (support staff).
• The Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction award is intended for faculty members who are collaborators in work of intellectual richness that has the potential for future impact. The work of these nominees offers possibilities for collaboration within the University and outside in partnership with others. This year’s honorees are Wayne Franits, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Art and Music Histories in the College of Arts and Sciences, and Katherine McDonald, associate dean of research and professor of Public Health in the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics.
• Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence, Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors those who have made extraordinary contributions toward advancing all four pillars of excellence over the arc of their careers while at Syracuse University and beyond. This year’s recipient is Shobha Bhatia, Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor for Teaching Excellence and professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

The other awards to be presented are:

• The Student-Athlete Award recognizes the top female and top male student athletes and are presented to the senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average over the course of their academic and athletic careers. This year’s recipients are Izabela Krakic, an international relations major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences and member of the women’s rowing team, and Julius Rauch, an entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises major in the Whitman School of Management and a member of the men’s soccer team.
• Seinfeld Scholarship: Each year Syracuse University honors the talents of outstanding faculty or students through an award made possible by Judith Greenberg Seinfeld ’56, a distinguished alumna and member of the University Board of Trustees. Awards are made to those who have been determined by their peers to have made outstanding contributions to the beauty of the world, to have added to human values and to ending human abuse anywhere in the world, and to have demonstrated passion for excellence, creativity and originality in academic or artistic fields. This year, the designation is bestowed upon a faculty member, Rebecca Ortiz, associate professor of advertising in the Newhouse School.
• The Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professorships for Teaching Excellence were created in 1995 to recognize and reward outstanding teaching among faculty. The 2024-27 Meredith Professors are Joon Park, professor in the School of Information Studies, and Cora True-Frost, Bond, Schoeneck and King Distinguished Professor in the College of Law.
• In 2001, the Meredith Professorship Program was expanded to recognize teaching excellence by non-tenured faculty and adjunct and part-time instructors. Awards are given in two categories: Early Performance and Continuing Excellence. This year’s honorees in the Early Performance category are Kelly Leahy, assistant professor of television, radio and film in the Newhouse School; Farzana Rahman, associate teaching professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science; Milton Santiago, assistant professor of visual communications in the Newhouse School; Darwin Tsen, assistant teaching professor of Chinese and Chinese language in the College of Arts and Sciences; and Nina Wilson, assistant professor in the School of Architecture. The two honorees in the Continuing Excellence category are Kenneth Marfilius, assistant dean of online and distance education and associate teaching professor of social work in the Falk College, and Sudha Raj, teaching professor and graduate director of nutrition and food studies in the Falk College.
• The Diversity and Inclusion Award recognizes an individual who is integral in helping us achieve academic excellence at a university that is welcoming to all through our investments in a diverse, inclusive, accessible and equitable community. This year’s recipient is Suzette Meléndez, teaching professor in the College of Law and faculty fellow for the Office of Strategic Initiatives and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
• The William Pearson Tolley Medal for Distinguished Leadership in Lifelong Learning is based in the School of Education and honors national or international leadership in support of lifelong learning. This year’s recipient is Rhodia Thomas ’77, executive director of MidPenn Legal Services, adjunct professor of law at Dickinson University and an alumna of the School of Education.
• The Chancellor’s Forever Orange Award recognizes individual students, faculty or staff who—by virtue of extraordinary hard work, good values and commitment to excellence—have come to embody the best of Syracuse University. This year’s recipients are Colleen O’Connor Bench, associate vice president of parent engagement and student experience, and Ian McIntyre, head coach of the men’s soccer team.

From left to right, the Falk College team of students Rylee Pepper and Kristen Davis and professors Lynn Brann and Rachel Razza lead an activity with Universal Pre-Kindergarten students from Elbridge Elementary School as part of the Mindfully Growing program.

Do you like broccoli?

“I touched broccoli with my feet.”

You like eating watermelon, what does it smell like?

“Snow.”

What does snow taste like?

“Broccoli.”

Welcome to a Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Age 4 classroom at Elbridge Elementary School in Elbridge, New York, where it’s true that kids say the darndest things but with their five senses – sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch – they’re also learning healthy eating habits through the Mindfully Growing program.

The program’s curriculum is being taught by a team of professors and students from Syracuse University who throughout this school year have been visiting the UPK Age 4 classrooms at Elbridge Elementary on Thursday mornings. On the morning where broccoli was on the children’s minds, professors Lynn Brann and Rachel Razza and doctoral student Kristen Davis focused on touch as they hid baby carrots, clementines, and pea pods in a box and the children used their sense of touch to guess what they were.

After the food was pulled from the box, the children were able to taste it and discover that this healthy stuff isn’t so bad after all.

“The program is getting the students in touch with different ways to experience food,” Davis says. “They’re seeing food in a different way, connecting with where it comes from and ways they can slow down and enjoy it.”

Slowing down and enjoy the food is where the “mindfully” part of the Mindfully Growing program comes into play. The nutrition component is paired with mindfulness practices, which can foster greater empathy and communication skills, improve focus and attention, reduce stress, and enhance creativity and general well-being.

“It works because the kids get excited about being included in activities that their friends are enjoying,” says Elbridge UPK Age 4 teacher Mark MacLachlan. “So, when they are offered to try raw shell peas with all of their friends at school, it’s an easy sell.

“Most of the kids really enjoyed them, too,” MacLachlan adds.

What’s in the bag? With the help of Kristen Davis (left) and Lynn Brann, students try to guess the mystery food.

A Mindful Journey

The Mindfully Growing curriculum was created by Brann, associate professor and Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies at Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, and Razza, associate professor and chair of the Department of Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) at Falk College whose research focuses on the benefits of mindfulness-based programs for promoting resilience in schools and communities.

The initiative is funded by the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Brann and Razza recently received a grant from the MetLife Foundation through the Syracuse University’s Lender Center for Social Justice to ensure the curriculum resonates with marginalized populations.

Brann says the curriculum is focused on 4-year-olds because it’s trying to get young children to develop an understanding of where food comes from and increase their acceptance of a variety of foods before they get set in their ways. The 10 lessons start with the origin of plants, fruits and vegetables, moves into using senses to explore foods, and finishes with lessons on hunger vs. fullness and sharing food together.

“It’s a good time to get them to explore food, and we do a tasting pretty much every lesson so they get an opportunity to try something new,” Brann says. “With this group, almost every one of them has tasted the food and several of them have asked for more, which is pretty exciting to see them being so open to it.”

Razza says with preschool children ages 3-5, there’s a significant increase in executive function skills, so they’re better able to delay gratification and inhibit their impulses. Thus, the interventions offered by the Mindfully Growing curriculum are important to introduce to this group of students.

“Can they control their impulses and self-regulate overall and also in the food context?” Razza says. “Lynn and I have been working to determine the overlaps between these two areas and how can we use intervention to simultaneously enhance both of them.”

While Brann, Razza, and Davis are with one UPK class for 30 minutes, the other class is having a 30-minute yoga lesson with yoga instructor Colleen Smith from BeLive Yoga and undergraduate student Christina McCord from Falk College’s School of Social Work. Smith, who has been teaching yoga and mindfulness to preschool children in the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District for several years, helped connect Brann and Razza to Superintendent James Froio and Elementary School Principal Brooke Bastian because, as Smith says, she “continues to be impressed by their support of students and their willingness to offer yoga and programs or events that supplement the students’ daily education.”

In her yoga sessions, Smith says she helps the children learn how to self-regulate their bodies, breath, and even emotions as she tries to “meet the children where they are” by matching their energy level and then bringing them to a brief time of rest.

“One thing that can be difficult for them is trying new experiences and foods,” Smith says. “The yoga and mindfulness lessons can help children pay attention to their bodies, thoughts and breath in the moment so they can self-regulate and make healthy and appropriate choices when presented with new or challenging experiences like a mindful eating lesson.”

Bastian, who’s in her fourth year as principal and 11th in the district, says Elbridge Elementary School has a unique UPK program because it offers a full day for both 3- and 4-year olds. Bastian says she and the teachers have enjoyed the partnership with Syracuse because they know the positive impacts that early intervention can have on students.

“Mindfulness is a focus in UPK to help promote self-regulation, and when mindfulness is approached in a holistic way it can have a greater impact,” Bastian says. “We want children to develop healthy habits in general so food, which is highly motivating, is a great way to begin that mindful journey.”

From left to right, the Falk College team of Rachel Razza, Colleen Smith, Christina McCord, Rylee Pepper, Lynn Brann, and Kristen Davis delivered the Mindfully Growing lessons at Elbridge Elementary School this spring.

Cross-Disciplinary Team

The 4-year-olds aren’t the only students who are having fun while learning. The Syracuse University team is comprised of seven students, three undergraduate and four doctoral, who participate either at the elementary school or on the research team.

The team that visits the school includes Davis, a registered dietitian and second-year HDFS doctoral student; McCord, the social work major; and Rylee Pepper, a nutrition science major and Renée Crown University Honors Program student who’s minoring in psychology and biology.

Davis, who participated in the fall program, is back for the spring and delivers the weekly lessons along with Razza and Brann.

“My career goals are to pursue a position in teaching and research, focusing on child nutrition and the development of healthy eating behaviors,” Davis says. “This program fits into my area of research interest and I hope to learn from it and integrate aspects of it into my own future research.”

Pepper’s role this spring is to observe the lessons and complete a fidelity/tracking sheet that records the number of student and teacher participants, the lengths of sections within the lessons, and the completion of each component (the components include a review of the lesson from the previous week, a food-tasting activity, a story or song, homework if it was given, and if all planned material was covered). She also observes the engagement of the students and their teachers and the overall quality of the lesson.

“As (the children) become more comfortable with our team and the material, each week we see higher levels of participation and thoughtful recall and connections to our past lessons,” Pepper says. “Multiple students have shared with us their experiences with mindful eating at home through their homework assignments, showing they are developing a real interest in the topic.”

Although she has yet to decide on a specialty, Pepper wants to become a doctor and says the experience she’s getting with the Mindfully Growing team will be useful in whatever area she pursues.

“Learning to interact with these young students in a professional yet approachable manner is valuable experience for engaging with children as a doctor,” Pepper says. “Additionally, becoming familiar with the concept of mindful eating and how to teach members of the public at all ages about its benefits will prove helpful in a world where proper nutrition is becoming an increasing concern surrounding health.”

The other members of the student research team include Min Jin, a psychology major who has assisted with the development of support materials for the curriculum; Kelly Green Kearns, a counseling and counselor education doctoral candidate in Syracuse University’s School of Education whose cognate is humans’ interactions with food and wellness; Qingyang Liu, a HDFS doctoral student who helped deliver the lessons in the fall; Caitlin Smith, a HDFS doctoral student who assisted with the curriculum development; and Anna Waters, who earned her HDFS bachelor’s degree last spring and is now a graduate student in the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy in Falk College.

While earning her license in mental health counseling, Kearns worked with children in the field using Child-Centered Play Therapy. In the three years since the Mindfully Growing team was created, she has utilized her experience to help develop the program and she’s currently compiling results from surveys and focus groups.

“I’m starting my dream position as a tenure track professor at SUNY New Paltz next year and I’m excited to bring the findings from this program into the counseling field through teaching and future research,” Kearns says. “My dissertation is focused on the related topic of foodways and wellness for female undergraduate students, and I hope to study more populations in the future. My intention is to increase cross-disciplinary work to best inform counseling practice.”

Elbridge Elementary School Universal Pre-K teacher Mark MacLachlan says “the classroom environment is an ideal place to create enthusiasm” for the Mindfully Growing program.

Growing the Program

On one Thursday morning in March, the 4-year-olds were completely engaged and enthusiastic, clapping and cheering whenever a new type of mystery food was pulled from the box. When they were asked about the beans that they had planted at home, one child said, “It’s going to grow into a big bean stalk!”

For the program to remain successful over the long run, the Syracuse team needs similar buy-in from teachers, administrators, and, most importantly, parents. To that end, the team created a series of three workshops for teachers and parents that focus on developing their own mindfulness and mindful eating practices as well as supporting the children’s practices.

“The classroom environment is an ideal place to create enthusiasm for such a program,” says MacLachlan, a UPK teacher since 2012 who has been with the district since 2000. “When kids are with their peers, they tend to get caught up in the group energy and naturally become enticed to remain open to new things.”

The team has been open to feedback, and Bastian says it has made modifications based on comments from teachers and parents. For example, this spring they separated the lessons by classroom (12 students each) rather than teaching to one large group. The team also added Zoom workshops for parents in addition to a weekly newsletter that provides additional resources to help them implement the program at home.

“What we’re seeing is interest by the parents, but they’re challenged by time,” Razza says. “That’s important information for us, too, when we think about how we ultimately want to move forward and how we can get this information to parents as easily as possible.”

Bastian and MacLachlan say they’d like to see the program continue beyond this school year to give the modifications time to take hold. From what they’re observing with the children, it’s clear the program is working.

“The need is so great in our country for a better understanding of the importance of healthy food,” MacLachlan says. “Childhood obesity, food-caused diseases, increased behavioral concerns, food insecurity, and all of the inaccurate information from the big food manufacturers can be a very confusing area for kids to navigate.”

The Syracuse team has been motivated by the success of the program in its first year and the possibilities it presents to use nutrition and mindfulness to create a healthier society.

“I’ve completed many tasks in the background of developing and improving the preschool lessons, all of which have helped me to develop my research skills and prepare me to complete an independent research project for my honors program thesis,” Pepper says. “Ultimately, I am hopeful for the results of our Jordan Elbridge lessons and I’m excited to see what the future holds for our team.”

For undergraduate students from across Syracuse University who want to learn more about the Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies minor from Falk College, please visit the course catalog webpage for information and course requirements.