Seven named Women of Influence at Syracuse University

Seven named Women of Influence at Syracuse University April 10, 2008SU News ServicesSUnews@syr.edu

The Diversity Committee of Syracuse University’s Office of Residence Life honored seven women during the eighth annual Francis McMillan Parks Women of Influence Awards ceremony on March 27.

One undergraduate student, one graduate student, two faculty members, two staff members and one community member comprise the 2008 cohort of recipients. Women of Influence Awards are presented to distinguished women who have demonstrated sincere efforts in advancing the issues of women and who have worked to enhance the quality of life and educational opportunities for University students, faculty and staff.

Pamela Peter, assistant director of SU’s Office of Residence Life, was the keynote speaker for the awards ceremony. She received a Women of Influence Award in 2003.

This year’s recipients are Kayleigh Minicozzi of Rome, N.Y., a senior triple major in newspaper journalism in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and in religion and women’s studies in The College of Arts and Sciences; Jade Anderson of Sedro-Woolley, Wash., a graduate student in higher education in the School of Education; Judy Hamilton of Fayetteville, a research project coordinator of the Intergroup Dialogue Program (IGD) in the Division of Student Affairs; Kari Segraves of Manlius, assistant professor of biology in The College of Arts and Sciences; Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz of DeWitt, director of SU’s Office of Residence Life; Meredith Hyde, associate director of SU London; and Jodie Schafran of Syracuse, administrative director of Ophelia’s Place.

Kayleigh Minicozzi — Undergraduate Award Minicozzi has been a resident advisor, orientation leader, LCAB president, features editor for The Student Voice and a Teach for America campus campaign coordinator.

Jade Anderson — Graduate AwardFor the past two years, Anderson has worked for the Office of Residence Life on South Campus, first as a programming assistant and now as an assistant residence director. Areas of keen interest to her include sustainability, international education and access to education.

Judy Hamilton — Faculty Award Hamilton is currently completing a Multiversity Research Project involving a group of 11 schools and universities across the country that are focusing on how students engage in social change through dialogue to become more active, aware citizens. She tirelessly works to increase awareness about issues of social justice, inequality and diversity through her efforts to build and maintain the IGD program.

Kari Segraves — Faculty AwardSegraves considers herself a researcher, educator and mentor. She was recently awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to conduct research at the Archbold Biological Station in Florida on the interaction between yucca plants and their pollinator moths. With the help of a colleague, she will develop an education module for third- to fifth-grade students aimed at enhancing their knowledge on evolution. As an educator, Segraves firmly believes that students can only learn a concept if they can personalize it.

Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz — Staff AwardReed Kantrowitz is the director of SU’s Office of Residence Life. She has had significant experience in developing, implementing and evaluating comprehensive residential life programs within a variety of environments over the past 25 years. Her successful track record of collaborative and innovative program development includes the creation of the CARE (Conversations About Race and Ethnicity) intergroup dialogue program at SU. She maintains a strong commitment to developing positive residential communities where students can excel personally, socially and academically, and where appreciating difference is a prevailing value.

Meredith Hyde — Staff Award Hyde oversees faculty, curriculum and academic program development for SU London. Her research concentrates on metacognition. She has published a wide range of articles on academic issues and American study abroad students. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and master’s and doctoral degrees from Oxford University, and was made a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts in 2007.

Jodie Schafran — Community AwardSchafran has dedicated the past six years of her life to helping people who suffer from eating disorders. Ophelia’s Place is a nonprofit organization based in Liverpool committed to empowering those impacted by eating disorders by providing resources through education, outreach, advocacy and support services. Schafran has listened to and comforted thousands of sufferers, families and friends, and has educated them on how they can make peace with where they are today in their recovery and how they can begin to move forward. Schafran has advocated for mental health services on local and national levels, and went back to school to become a licensed social worker.