Kean University is popularly recognized for its work in the field of education, marking it as one of the top schools for education studies in the state of New Jersey. It is no wonder, then, why Kean's Delta Rho chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society for Education, is doing remarkable things while still embodying the university.

Kappa Delta Pi represents the words knowledge, duty and power. Many of the members of Kappa Delta Pi are inducted as they complete their undergraduate or graduate degrees in education. In its ranks are educators from all over the world.

Leana Malinowsky, the associate counselor for Delta Rho, has been a valued member of Kappa Delta Pi for 12 years. She says that in all her years of being a member, the value of it continues.

"With a membership you receive professional development including free webinars, scholarly publications, leadership training, opportunities for scholarships and classroom teacher grants, as well as networking opportunities at the annual Convocation which is held in a different city every year," Malinowsky said.

Delta Rho is a highly distinguished chapter of Kappa Delta Pi. Additionally, their chapter has received many great awards and achievements. These include a programming award for membership, a distinguished chapter officer award for their membership chair and a gold award for the society’s signature initiative project, Celebration of Teaching.

The ACE award, which stands for Achieving Chapter Excellence, is granted to select chapters worldwide. Earlier this year they won their second ACE award, and received another remarkable recognition: the ACE of the ACE. Malinowsky said this was a surprise award that they had the honor of accepting at the annual Convocation in Virginia.

"The Florence B. Stratemeyer Award for Chapter Excellence, known as the ACE of the ACE, is given to one chapter each year out of all of the chapters that apply for ACE awards," Malinowsky explained. "This year, 16 chapters received the ACE award, being recognized as top chapters in the organization. Out of the 16, our chapter was selected as ACE of the ACE, which means we are the top chapter out of over 650 chapters world wide."

Through Delta Rho, future educators and education students can have the opportunity to network, gain professional development experience and participate in service opportunities.

To be eligible for initiation into the chapter, the following must be met:

• GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Must be a sophomore, junior or senior undergraduate student or a graduate student
• Attend two meetings, at either Kean Union or Kean Ocean
• Complete a service project
• Attend the annual induction dinner (April 2, 2020)

For more information about Kappa Delta Pi and the Delta Rho chapter, call Delta Rho at (908) 737-3866 or email kdp@kean.edu.