It came as no surprise to the Executive Board members of the Kappa Eta Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi when
Dean Charisse Willis was honored with the
Lucinda Rose Award this year at the biennial
Convocation in Indianapolis. The Lucinda Rose Award is granted only
to the best counselors in Kappa Delta Pi who have served as
counselor or associate counselor for more than ten years. This
honor places Dean Willis on the forefront of top counselors across
the globe. For over a decade now, Dean Willis has served as the
chapter counselor of the Kappa Eta Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi at St.
John’s University. During her time with Kappa Delta Pi, Dean
Willis has been diligent in encouraging the development of each
member as well as initiating a large percentage of St. John’s
University School of Education students into the organization.
The recipient of the Lucinda
Rose Award is selected from a wide range of criterion
including: past participation in Convocations on an individual and
chapter basis and implementing programs within the chapter in which
the counselor leads. This includes developing chapter
leaders, aiding individual and chapter growth, and bringing them
all together to create an intensive program. Also, the
counselor must encourage and inspire members of the chapter to
attend events of service and merit offered throughout their
individual campus. In addition, the recipient of this
distinguished award must report to Kappa Delta Pi headquarters
regularly, along with submission of necessary forms and reports
within the deadlines. Needless to say, Dean Charisse Willis
has fulfilled these requirements to an outstanding extent.
To receive this award, candidates are directly nominated from
each territory and the finalist is chosen by the Selection
Committee. Alexandra Foukalas, Associate
Counselor of Kappa Eta, stated, “Dean Willis is beyond an
extraordinary leader for Kappa Delta Pi and
The School of Education. She exemplifies
qualities that only a few possess. She is an inspiration to
us and we are truly lucky to be a part of her family.” Dean
Willis embodies The Lucinda Rose Award and pushes herself and the
Kappa Delta Pi- Kappa Eta Chapter family to excellence each and
every day. We congratulate and commemorate Dean Charisse
Willis for all she has done for the chapter and the St. John’s
School of Education as a whole.