When Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz came to Syracuse University in the 1980s after earning a master’s degree in education, she served as a residence hall director. It was an experience that launched her career in higher education, a profession that has taken her from Syracuse to the University of California, Berkeley, Hamilton College and back again.
Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz, associate dean, Hendricks Chapel.
Inspired by the dynamic and diverse campus climate, Kantrowitz returned to Syracuse in 2002 as the director of residence life, and she has been proud to call the University home for the last 21 years.
Today, Kantrowitz serves as associate dean of Hendricks Chapel, supporting the work being done by the chaplaincies, religious and spiritual life groups and the Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders, and she also oversees both the Student Opportunity Fund and University Food Pantries.
Her core values of supporting student success and student development perfectly intertwine with the interfaith opportunities Hendricks Chapel offers as the spiritual heart of the University.
“Syracuse University is just a wonderful place. It’s a very dynamic, diverse, ever-changing institution, and I’ve felt that way throughout my life,” Kantrowitz says. “It’s a unique and wonderful community and a great place for students to thrive. On a college campus, you have this ability to help shape a person’s journey and provide them the support they need. That’s especially true with my work with the food pantries and the Student Opportunity Fund, where we’re focused on how we can get students connected to the resources they need so they walk out of the Chapel feeling whole again.”
The Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry has two locations—one on the lower level of Hendricks Chapel and a South Campus location at the Carriage House (161 Farm Acre Rd.). Also included is Pete’s Giving Garden off Skytop Road, a partnership between Sustainability Management and the David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics food studies and nutrition programs.
Since its creation a decade ago, the food pantry has served as an invaluable resource for students facing food insecurity. The number of visitors has climbed from five to 10 per week initially to more than 200 visitors per week this year. On average, Kantrowitz says around 1,000 students utilize the food pantries annually.
“The food pantry is a special and precious resource for so many of our students. Most are upperclass and graduate students and many are international students. We try to make visiting the food pantry a welcoming, friendly, comfortable and easy place to access. If you come to see us and have a need, we’re going to help you with that need, no questions asked.”
“We work hard to make sure it’s not a transactional resource. If you come into Hendricks Chapel and you need the pantry, you’ll get a friendly face and a volunteer who will talk with you. All of our chaplains, if they see students in line for the pantry, will come talk with them and make them feel welcome. Some of our volunteers write encouraging notes and put them into the bags that students will take. This year, we’re producing recipe cards, because some of our students don’t know how to cook or they’ve never had to cook before. We’re trying to make it as easy as possible. People need to realize this could happen to anybody.”
“It’s very life-giving and peaceful to be surrounded by chaplains. I have so much respect for the work they do, the many hats they wear and how dynamic and diverse our chaplain group is. And yet they are really closely connected to one another. Many of them are good friends. Even though they have very differing opinions about their faith, they come together. Being able to spend time with this thoughtful group of people is very enriching. Our small but mighty chapel staff works very hard, goes the extra mile and cares deeply about this campus community.”
