Mary Ellison (Ellie) Hart Candidate for student Board Member

Initiation September 2019, Alpha Omicron Nu Chapter Auburn University

Program of Study Human and Child Development, Gerontology, Social Work

Degree sought, and expected graduation date Human Development and Family Studies, May 2021

KON Activities I was inducted into Kappa Omicron Nu in September of 2019. Although I hoped to serve my chapter in a leadership position, this process was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, I was able to serve both my local chapter of KON and Auburn University as a whole as a result of the tools that Kappa Omicron Nu provided me. From September 2019 – March 2020, I was fully committed to the duties expected of me as a Kappa Omicron Nu member and was fully engaged in KON meetings and activities. I hope to pursue a leadership position at my chapter level as well for the 2020-2021 academic term.

Other Relevant Activities and Honors • Auburn University, College of Human Sciences, Major: Human Development and Family Sciences; Middle Childhood/Adolescence; Minor: Counseling. Cumulative GPA: 3.89/4.00 • Honors: Deans List (Fall 2017, Spring 2018 – present), Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, Rho Lambda Honor Society • Student Government Association, Director of Freshman Forum: March 2019 – May 2020 • Led an organization of Auburn’s top 46 freshmen, selected to represent the freshman class of more than 5,900 in the Student Government Association. • Managed and conducted the interview-selection process from an applicant pool of more than 300 students. • Supervised 3 assistant directors through weekly supervision and strategic planning meetings. • Designed a curriculum in line with overall mission and developed weekly activities and programming. • Strategically assessed the talents of individual members and successfully matched them to SGA programs and mentors according to their strengths. • Facilitated planning of annual project, and equipped students to gather freshman feedback in creative and strategic ways.

Describe your Scholarship, Leadership, and Research Interests Scholarship has been a value that is instilled in me since I was a little girl. From when I was younger, I have always considered my studies to hold extreme importance. However, my pursuit of excellence in academics has taken on a whole new meaning throughout my time at Auburn University. When applying to Auburn, I wanted to ensure that I was choosing a field of study that allowed me to explore my passions while challenging me to learn something new every day. Thankfully, I have found that not only within my major and minor, but also in the extra-curricular activities that I have been fortunate to have been involved with. I’ve learned that scholarship extends far beyond just the classroom (or in 2020, the Zoom room)! Throughout my involvement in Kappa Omicron Nu, Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society, Mortar Board, and Rho Lambda Honor Society, I have been equipped with skills that allow me to excel in my individual academics and aide those around me as I hope to mentor and learn from them as well. Additionally, I am thankful to have formed professional relationships with the faculty within the College of Human Sciences and learn from their leadership within academia. I am also very passionate about leadership. In Fall 2018, I enrolled in an elective class titled “Foundations of Leadership.” Through this course, I studied research-based theories of leadership and developed a thorough understanding of leadership. While I developed a great amount of knowledge through this course, I feel as if my experience in leadership has given me a greater basis for what I believe leadership to truly be, notably my experience as the Director of Freshman Forum through Auburn University’s Student Government Association. In this role, I led an organization of the university’s top 46 freshmen who were chosen to represent their class of over 5,900. I planned a curriculum that was in line with our overall mission of “serving and promoting the individual student and unifying all that is Auburn.” As the leader of this organization, I wanted to teach leadership as a collective unit as well as leadership as individuals, which I believe can be carried into any role. I learned first-hand what it looks like to be a leader among leaders and how to effectively mentor and train people to be leaders within their own circles and communities, which is something that I hope to take with me into a leadership role within Kappa Omicron Nu. Finally, when considering my experience with research, I have Auburn University to thank for much of my experience. In the College of Human Sciences, our faculty believes that students who complete a degree in any of their programs should be prepared to serve in the workforce through their academics, leadership, and research. Auburn University as a whole, prides itself on being a research-based institution and thus has given students a variety of opportunities to research both in the classroom and on their own terms. In almost all of my classes within Human Development and Family Sciences, we have focused on research. My favorite project that I researched was my study of how family stress related to the development of an eating disorder among adolescent females during my Adolescent Development in the Family course. I found this research to be particularly interesting, especially as someone hoping to one day work in school counseling for adolescents. This semester, I hope to partake in research as well within the Counseling department.

Statement of Goals for Office I am excited to hopefully serve on the national board for Kappa Omicron Nu. Throughout my membership in the Alpha Omicron Nu chapter of KON, I have developed a strong appreciation for this organization on both the chapter and national level. My first goal is to bring unification among chapters across the nation. I hope to do this through sending a bi-monthly national newsletter that highlights chapters across the country. I believe this would be especially helpful during the current pandemic, as I hope that chapters can learn from peers about how we can creatively come together to “enhance quality of living through excellence in scholarship, leadership and research.” I also hope to increase the collaboration between groups, perhaps through hosting Zoom collaboration meetings once a semester. Finally, I hope to host events for all members of KON that prepares them in professional development, leadership, research, and experience.