National Representative Attends College Honor Society Induction Ceremony

With its largest ever group of inductees, the Clarkson College Sigma Alpha Pi chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) was excited to welcome National Chapter Support Manager Yaritza Corrales to campus for its induction ceremony on April 18. In this role, Corrales provides the necessary training and tools colleges and universities need to implement their own chapter of NSLS.

Sigma Alpha Pi faculty adviser Carla Dirkschneider said Corrales had the intent of visiting the Clarkson College chapter sometime this year. Upon learning the chapter would be inducting 122 new members at its spring ceremony, she contacted Dirkschneider and booked her flight to Omaha.

With the new wave of inductees, Sigma Alpha Pi now boasts 531 inducted members. An additional 381 active members have either partially completed or working toward completing the full list of membership requirements. Dirkschneider attributes the rapid growth of Sigma Alpha Pi to the simple fact that more and more individuals on campus are growing familiar with the chapter via word-of-mouth and internal communications administered by the advisers and executive board. “I think the flexibility of the events has also helped increase membership,” she added. “We offered each event twice this past semester (Tuesdays and Thursdays), and we offer an online option [for distance students].”

The keynote speaker at the event was College Vice President of Operations (VPO) Jina Paul. “She gave a wonderful presentation regarding ‘Her Path to Leadership,’” Dirkschneider said. The key points Paul emphasized in her presentation ranged from the importance of lifelong learning, hard work and a positive attitude to taking time to celebrate and always believing in oneself.

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of honorary awards and memberships by the chapter executive board, which included:

  • Excellence in Teaching Awards, presented to Tracey Ozzello, Assistant Professor of Nursing; Jackie Kussman, Nursing instructor; and Debbie Gardner, General Education instructor.
  • Excellence in Service to Students Award, presented to Julie Brummer, College Counselor.
  • Honorary Memberships, presented to Dr. Andreia Nebel, Vice President of Academic Affairs; and Jina Paul, VPO.

Dirkschneider said one of the most enjoyable parts of being an adviser for Sigma Alpha Pi is the interconnectivity it engenders on campus. “It is a true pleasure to see students from all programs come together and learn from one another.”

It is a true pleasure to see students from all programs come together and learn from one another.  The interdisciplinary approach to the Success Networking Team meetings adds a nice dimension to the organization.

Faculty who are interested in attending the symposium or learning more about becoming a member of Sigma Alpha Pi can contact Faculty Adviser Carla Dirkschneider or Karen Abboud. General information and membership eligibility requirements pertaining to the chapter are available here.