Kappa Omicron Nu (KON)
Kappa Omicron Nu (KON) was established in 1990 but its predecessor organizations date back to the 1920’s. KON’s mission is to promote “empowered leaders through scholarship, research, and leadership.” Kappa Omicron Nu provides recognition, honor, preparation for leadership and lifelong opportunities for networking, personal growth, and professional growth through education and service.
- promote scholarship and encourage intellectual development,
- promote research and foster the spirit of inquiry,
- confer distinction for high achievement,
- promote leadership development,
- stimulate student and faculty dialogue,
- enrich the intellectual environment of higher education institutions,
- encourage high standards of practice and ethical behavior, and
- promote attitudes of professional responsibility for the public good.
Kappa Omicron Nu proudly maintains honor society certification through the Association of College Honor Societies. Please visit Kappa Omicron Nu website for additional information.
HDFS KON Advisor – Colleen Baish Cameron: cabaish@syr.edu
Leadership
President: Rachel Pourmoradi
Hi everyone! My name is Rachel Pourmoradi and I am from Great Neck, New York. I am currently a senior majoring In Human Development Family Science with a minor in Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies. Last year, I was involved with KON as our chapter Treasurer and I am very excited to have recently become our chapter President. I look forward to working with our executive committee to plan new initiatives and events that are beneficial to the students in Falk College. Our goals are to give students resources and guidance to help in career planning and create more of a community feeling among Falk students. If you would like to share any of your ideas or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact either myself or another one of our board members!
Vice President: Nylla Davis
Hello everyone! My name is Nylla Davis and I’m from Northern Virginia. I am a senior with a double major in Human Development & Family Science and Communication & Rhetorical Studies. This year I am so excited to be serving as the Vice President of the chapter. My hope is that this organization can continue to expand our community and allow for more opportunities to connect with our peers. I look forward to KON providing additional resources for students to navigate these unprecedented times and their future careers. Please feel free to reach out to me or any other members of the board. Thank you!
Secretary: Julia Rizzo
Hello everyone! My name is Julia Rizzo and I’m from Long Island, NY. I am a junior pursuing a major in HDFS and a minor in psychology. I was inducted into KON last spring, and I’m excited to be the Secretary of our chapter this year. Considering this non-traditional academic year, I hope KON can be of extra assistance to Falk College students. I also look forward to collaborating with other organizations in Syracuse University and expanding our special community. If you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me!
Treasurer: Emily Rispoli
Hi everyone! My name is Emily Rispoli and I am a senior from Long Island, NY with a double major in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies. I plan on getting my PsyD after graduating from Syracuse, and hopefully scoring my dream job as a child psychologist. I was inducted into Kappa Omicron Nu two years ago and last year served as Vice President, and am now the current treasurer. I hope that KON can bring a close community to Falk students and create many different resources during this challenging time. I look forward to showing everyone my ideas and our society helping Falk students better their college careers. Please feel free to contact myself or any of the other board members if you have any ideas or questions. Thank you!
Co-Leader of the Communications and Outreach Team: Nicole Blitzer
Hello everyone! My name is Nicole Blitzer from Weston, CT. I am currently a senior with a major in HDFS and a minor in Communication and Rhetorical Studies. It is my second year on the KON executive board, and I am co-leader of the communications and outreach team. In this position, I hope to expand our outreach on the Syracuse campus and the greater Syracuse area, and having KON become more of a known organization around Falk, as well as Syracuse University. I look forward to helping my fellow students in trying to navigate this year, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for KON! If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact any of the board members!
Co-Leader of the Communications and Outreach Team: Kirsten Waldron
Hi everyone! My name is Kirsten Waldron and I’m from Lebanon, PA, but my family will actually be moving to Hawaii in June. I’m currently a junior majoring in HDFS with a minor in Psychology. This is my first year as a member of KON and I’m excited to be on the executive board as co-leader of the communications and outreach team. We’re experiencing an unusual academic year, and the executive board is working to find ways we can reach out to students and help them navigate this new college environment in a way that creates a greater sense of community. If you have questions or ideas, please feel free to reach out to any of the board members!
Communications and Outreach: Ashlyn Friedberg
Hi everyone! My name is Ashlyn Friedberg and I’m from Brooklyn, New York. I am currently a senior majoring in Human Development and Family Science. I plan on pursuing a law degree focusing in mediation or education law. I was inducted into KON two years ago and served as our secretary. This year, I am part of our communications team! I am looking forward to working with my peers to find ways to make this year run as smooth as possible. We have lots of ideas coming and I hope to see you there (most likely Zoom)! If you have any questions feel free to contact me or any of the board members!
Member: Ashley Homer
Hi everyone! My name is Ashley Homer and I’m from Syracuse, NY. I am currently a senior majoring in Human Development and Family Science. I was inducted into KON last spring and I’m excited to be a part of this society. As a member of KON, my objective is to provide students with the resources needed to navigate these uncertain times and make their college experience greater. I look forward to creating a community amongst Falk students and collaborating with other organizations within Syracuse University
Catalina Mac Laughlin
Hi everyone! My name is Catalina Mac Laughlin and I’m from Chicago, IL. I am currently a sophomore double majoring in Human Development and Family Science and Citizenship and Civic Engagement. I am hoping to continue on the Child Life Specialist track and incorporate my interests from HDFS into my senior year project for CCE. This is my first semester as part of KON so I am very new to all of this but I am excited to learn from other members and help create a community within Falk College.
The Human Development and Family Science Graduate Student Group
The Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) Graduate Student group is a new group with an aim to build community among the graduate students, offer support in various areas of need, plan events to enrich our experience, and give us a voice within the department. As the group continues to grow, we hope to eventually regularly offer a number support groups, events, and various communications that will keep us connected with each other, faculty and staff, and alumni. All HDFS graduate students are invited to become involved and help us create a productive and sustaining community.
Leadership
President: Corinne Blake
Hi Everyone! My name is Corinne Blake and I am originally from Gardner, Massachusetts. I am a third year Ph.D. Student in Human Development and Family Science. I am very excited to serve as President during this groups first year! I look forward to fostering community and opportunity for the graduate students. I look forward to working with my fellow officers and fellow graduate students to make this a great year for the graduate department.
Secretary: Qingyang Liu
Hi everyone! My name is Qingyang Liu and I am from Guangzhou, China. I am currently a first-year doctoral student in Human Development and Family Science. I am elected to serve as secretary of the Human Development and Family Science Graduate Student Group from 2020-2021. I look forward to working with our leadership team and department together to plan new initiatives to build our graduate student community stronger. I am excited about this fruitful and productive year!
Faculty Liaison: Staceyann Reid – sbreid@syr.edu
Hi Everyone! My name is Staceyann Reid, and I am originally from Queens, N.Y. I am currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Human Development and Family Science. As Faculty Liaison, I look forward to keeping my fellow graduate students and our department connected. Our leadership team is excited to create a supportive environment for all of our graduate students.