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Tau Kappa At-Large Chapter welcomes you to your Chapter's website!

Share your news in the TKAL Communicator - email it to Karin Pantel at kbpantel@yahoo.com for inclusion in our newsletter!

If you have pictures to share engaging in your Chapter, sharing your work, etc., please email them to Brian Pervis at pervisb73@gmail.com


Welcome New Members!

Congratulations, 2025 Sigma Inductees. Please enjoy the presentation! 

Aaron Lee Vester Ward Amanda D Whittaker Amber Brownson Amy Aylesworth Ernst
Aquila Mcfarlane Candy Vazquez-Sanchez Nympha Agogo Chloe Grace Ekstein Chloe Grimm
Cristina Holtz Delia S. Burke Elizabeth A. Silverberg Elizabeth Josephine Kazel
Emily Giovinazzi Emma Paul Erika E.Z. Wise Fallon J. Campbell
Hallie Holzwarth Isabella Rose Poniros Jeraine Ellis Jocelyn Salomao
Jonathan Turetsky Juanita Exantus Karen Tenease White Kelly Ann Bambrick
Kendall Amorosi Kiera McNama Laurie Michaels Lisa D. Solimando
Lisa Marie Gonzalez Mackenzie Jade Steves Magaly Ramirez Makayla Alfred
Mckenzie Leigh Miner Megan Camilli Melissa Knapp Mercedes Martinez Santana
Nyla Janae Batista Olivia LoPresti Rebecca Brittney Proctor Sandra Edris
Tracey Lee Amell Traci Michelle Bunce

Welcome to our TKAL community! 

Get Involved in Your Chapter!

Please consider how you can serve as a chapter member of the Tau Kappa at-Large Chapter. Several committee chairs are seeking volunteers to join their committees. Please review the committees below and consider how you can join the committed group of professional nurses who make the Tau Kappa at-Large chapter a vital organization. Contact information is provided for more information.

Community Service and Fundraising Committee

The Community Service and Fundraising Committee works to carry out the mission of Sigma and its commitment to help achieve the UN Millennium Development goals as well as Tau Kappa At-Large Chapter’s strategic plan via projects that address community needs. It does this by working collaboratively with the Board of Directors to identify projects and initiatives. The committee also develops and implements projects and events that raise funds to support strategic initiatives while increasing the visibility of the Chapter. This committee works collaboratively with other committees to maximize membership participation. 

Please email Lovern Shadwick, chair, at l.shadwick@hvcc.edu if you are interested in joining this committee. 


Awards and Recognition Committee

The Awards and Recognition Committee requests and reviews nominations for awards and recognition relative to contributions to the profession of nursing in the following categories: research, education, practice, leadership, and mentorship. Excelsior College and Empire State College Student Scholarship applications and Lifelong Learning Scholarship applications from Chapter members are also reviewed for consideration. Based on established criteria, the committee recommends award recipients to the Board of Directors for approval.

Please email Kylie Ackerman, chair, if you are interested in joining this committee. kackerman@excelsior.edu


Communications Committee

The Communications Committee updates The Circle, produces the chapter newsletter, and maintain communications with the Colleges’ Public Relations/Communications Departments, and in doing so maintain the publication standards put forth by Sigma.

Please email Karin Pantel, chair, if you are interested in joining this committee kbpantel@yahoo.com


Membership and Mentoring (M&M) Committee

The M&M Committee promotes membership renewals and opportunities for dual and transfer membership. It also coordinates new member orientation and facilitates active engagement by all members through a mentoring program.

Please email Dawne Olbrych, Tau Kappa At-Large president at olbrychd@ellismedicine.org if you are interested in joining this committee.
Note that a Chair is needed for this committee. 

Program Committee

The Program Committee plans virtual and in-person events for the Chapter. Chaired by the Vice President, this Committee meets virtually approximately four times per year. 

Please email Nancy Bellucci, chair, at nancybellucciphd@gmail.com if you are interested in joining this committee.

Chapter News

  • 🌟 Tau Kappa at Large Chapter Gives Back! 🌟

    Tau Kappa at Large Chapter members gathered in the kitchen of the Ronald McDonald House of Albany after preparing and serving a community dinner for families on August 8, 2025.

    On August 8, 2025, members of the Tau Kappa at Large Chapter served dinner for the clients of the Ronald McDonald House of Albany. The event was a tremendous success! 💜

    Management and volunteers expressed deep gratitude, emphasizing how vital community service events like this dinner are in supporting families with children facing significant medical challenges.

    Beyond giving back, the evening provided a wonderful opportunity for our members to connect—sharing laughter, conversation, and building stronger bonds. Some members even traveled 1 to 2½ hours to be part of this special effort!

    We are already considering a return visit next year and encourage other chapters to support their local Ronald McDonald House—there is always a need, and the impact is truly meaningful. 💫

    #Service #TauKappaAtLarge #STTI #NursingLeadership #RonaldMcDonaldHouse

  • 🌟 2025 Lifelong Learning Scholarship Recipient: Lavita Payton, MSN, RN, LNC

    The Tau Kappa At-Large Chapter proudly recognizes Lavita Payton as the 2025 recipient of a Lifelong Learning Scholarship. Lavita was a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student at Chamberlain University with a 3.78 GPA and a concentration in Healthcare Systems Leadership. Lavita has since graduated with a 3.85 GPA.  

    A dedicated nurse leader and adjunct professor, Lavita brings over a decade of experience in clinical care and education. Her passion for lifelong learning drives her commitment to health equity, patient advocacy, and system-level change.

    In her own words:

    “My pursuit of knowledge ensures I am prepared to share learning with communities and make meaningful changes in healthcare systems.”

    Lavita exemplifies the mission of Sigma by advancing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. We are honored to support her continued journey.

  • Welcome to the May 2025 Edition of the TKAL Communicator!

    In this issue, we celebrate our newest Sigma Theta Tau inductees and highlight recent leadership transitions within our chapter. You'll find updates on community service initiatives, awards and scholarship opportunities, financial health, and communications outreach. With exciting events ahead—including our Ronald McDonald House service project—and a call for new board members, there's no better time to get involved and grow with Tau Kappa at-Large.
  • An Update from Kylie Ackerman and the TKAL Scholarship and Awards Committee

    2022-2023 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS - Central ...

    Applications and Nominations Now Open and Due 2/14/25. The following opportunities for awards and scholarships are available: Recognition Awards, Student Scholarships, Lifelong Learning Scholarships

    Recognition Awards annually recognize outstanding contributions to nursing and excellence in one or more of the following categories:

    · Research

    · Education

    · Nursing Practice

    · Leadership

    · Mentorship

    · Student Performance

    Nominate a deserving colleague or student, or self-nominate, describing how the nominee contributes to the nursing profession. Please email the completed Recognition Award Nominating Form to kackerman@excelsior.edu by February 14th to be recognized at the Tau Kappa-at-Large annual induction ceremony.

    Student Scholarships for Excelsior University, Siena College, and Empire State University nursing students are now available. Faculty may nominate students or students may self-apply. Please email the Student Scholarship application to kackerman@excelsior.edu by February 14th for a spring award.

    Lifelong Learning Scholarships are now available for Tau Kappa at-large members. Please email the Lifelong Learning Scholarship application to kackerman@excelsior.edu by February 14th for a spring award.

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