Grad student honored

UD master's degree student Vitelli receives Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship

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8:05 a.m., Feb. 9, 2016--The University of Delaware’s Rebecca Louise Vitelli of Monroe, New York, has been awarded a fellowship worth $5,000 by The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Vitelli received a bachelor's degree in early childhood education from the University in fall 2014. 

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As a Phi Kappa Phi Fellow, she is pursuing a master's degree through the autism/severe disabilities concentration in the exceptional children and youth 4+1 program in UD’s School of Education.

Vitelli is among 57 students nationwide to receive a Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship. The selection process is based on applicants’ evidence of graduate potential, undergraduate academic achievement, service and leadership experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement of educational perspective and career goals, and acceptance at an approved graduate or professional program.

"Being awarded a graduate fellowship from the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi for my first year of graduate study was such an honor,” Vitelli said. “The financial award has allowed me to pursue my passion of becoming an inclusive pre-K teacher through UD’s 4+1 M.Ed. program for exceptional children and youth with a concentration in autism/severe disabilities. This grad track has enhanced my knowledge and skills working with young children with special needs through field placements and courses which explore ways to adapt curriculum, develop communication strategies, employ behavioral interventions, and incorporate assistive technology that are directly applicable in fieldwork.”

Vitelli added, “While building my ‘tool box’ of professional strategies and learning approaches, I see myself as a driving force in creating personalized, inclusive learning communities where all children feel capable, successful, and valued. The graduate fellowship from the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is truly an incredible prospect for students; this award has given me the opportunity to turn my dreams into a reality."

Fellowship applications welcomed

The national PKP Fellowship Committee is offering 57 fellowships ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to graduating seniors planning to begin full-time graduate or professional school study in the 2016-2017 academic year. 

The UD chapter also offers a graduate award of up to $1000 to the chapter runner-up.

The chapter deadline for this year’s application is March 1. To apply, students may download the application form from the Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship page and submit a paper copy of the application to the UD Office of Service Learning.

The fellowship application may be submitted before official admission to Phi Kappa Phi, but eligible students must register for membership before April 15, when the chapter submits its finalist to the national office. 

About Phi Kappa Phi

Founded in 1897 at the University of Maine, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most selective all-discipline honor society.

The University of Delaware chapter was chartered in 1905 and this year will celebrate its 111th anniversary at its induction ceremony on May 6. More information is available at Phi Kappa Phi and UD PKP chapter sites.

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