Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Health & Society
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • Videos
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Library
    • Research
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Health & Society

Falk Professor Named NSCS National Advisor of the Year

Monday, July 9, 2018, By Michele Barrett
Share
facultyFalk College of Sport and Human Dynamics
head shot

Karen Kirkhart

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), the nation’s preeminent honors organization for first- and second-year students, named Karen Kirkhart the Laura Taddeucci Downs National Advisor of the Year. Kirkhart, a professor at the School of Social Work in Falk College and director of its baccalaureate program in social work, has been a Syracuse University chapter advisor for NSCS since 2008.

Laura Taddeucci Downs was the first NSCS advisor at the organization’s inaugural chapter founded in 1994 on the campus of the George Washington University.

“Laura believed in the vision of NSCS to make a positive difference for students, even when it was simply just an idea,” says NSCS Founder Stephen Loflin. “A leading advocate for supporting first- and second-year students, Laura knows firsthand what it takes to meaningfully impact the student experience and embodies a student-first philosophy, for which Dr. Kirkhart has emulated for more than a decade with NSCS members.”

The selection process was quite rigorous, starting from a pool of more than 300 higher education professionals nationwide, including the 2018 NSCS Regional Advisor of the Year candidates. In the end, however, Kirkhart’s unwavering support and dedication to the NSCS Chapter at Syracuse University for the past 10 years put her ahead of the leading finalists.

“NSCS advisors are often responsible for the unglamorous tasks that in the end are vital to the success of the chapter. They’re the backbone of NSCS,” says Laura Taddeucci Downs. “My husband and I have followed Steve Loflin and NSCS for years, and thought it would be nice to endow the award. Our hope is that the $1,000 professional stipend may help compensate the advisors in some small way for the countless hours they have dedicated to NSCS over the years.”

“I have been privileged to advise the wonderful Syracuse University Chapter of NSCS since 2008, when one of my honors students invited me to serve,” says Kirkhart. “NSCS stands for integrity, a core value for all citizens. I especially value the diversity of our officers and members and how well they respect one another and work together. Their commitment to community service—both individually and collectively—is inspiring, and we continue to build partnerships with other recognized student organizations on campus.”

The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) is an honors organization that recognizes and elevates high-achieving freshmen and sophomores. With its three pillars of scholarship, leadership and service, NSCS is proud to provide career and graduate school connections, leadership and service opportunities and gives out a million dollars in scholarships, awards and chapter funds annually. NSCS has more than 320 chapters nation-wide with more than 1.5 million lifetime members globally.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience. The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.

  • Author

Michele Barrett

  • Recent
  • Drama Department to Virtually Present New Theatrical Work Inspired by University’s 150th Anniversary
    Saturday, January 23, 2021, By Erica Blust
  • Professor Rahman Awarded Google Grant to Engage Underrepresented Students in Computing Research
    Saturday, January 23, 2021, By Alex Dunbar
  • Special Collections Research Center Launches Latin American 45s Digital Collection
    Saturday, January 23, 2021, By Cristina Hatem
  • VPA Faculty to Present World Premieres at Society for New Music Concert Jan. 31
    Saturday, January 23, 2021, By News Staff
  • ‘Democracy on Trial: Can We Save It?’
    Friday, January 22, 2021, By News Staff

More In Health & Society

‘Trust the Process’ with COVID Vaccine, Emergency Management Director Says

Trust the process. As a 16-year member of the United States Air Force Reserve and now in his job as director of emergency management and business continuity at the University, Joseph Hernon has always followed that philosophy. And that’s why…

Ph.D. Student in Clinical Psychology Works with Non-Profit to Fill Unmet Need in Asian Community

Jin Zhao is a fourth year Ph.D. student working toward his career goal of becoming a practicing psychologist. His qualifying exam project is researching Asian college students and how their experiences of microaggression are related to their attitudes about going…

‘2020 Was Broken and Beautiful. 2021 Needs Grace and Grit.’

The Reverend Brian E. Konkol, Ph.D., dean of Hendricks Chapel, wrote an op-ed for Syracuse.com titled “2020 was broken and beautiful. 2021 needs grace and grit.” The Rev. Konkol leads religious and spiritual life both at the University and across…

Student Gets Dose of ‘Hope, Optimism and Relief’ with COVID-19 Vaccine

Louis Smith was thrilled when he was named valedictorian of his class at Mynderse Academy in Seneca Falls, about 50 miles west of Syracuse. A lifelong Syracuse University sports fan, Smith was ecstatic when he received his acceptance letter from…

Participants Sought for Survey on Information, Preventive Behavior and Disparities in Pandemic Circumstances 

A research team in the School of Information Studies, in collaboration with the University of Texas at Austin and University of Washington, is seeking participants for a survey about information behaviors, risk perceptions and health disparities relating to COVID-19. Participants…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2021 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.