UMSL winners (l to r) Ebony Smith, project coordinator, nursing; Alan Byrd, director of Admissions; and Kristy Tucciarone, assistant teaching professor of media studies are among the "30 in their 30s" recognized as up-and-coming leaders by North County Inc. The regional development organization will present awards at a luncheon Sept. 23 at Norwood Hills Country Club.

Hundreds of people are expected to gather Sept. 23 to salute 30 up-and-coming young North St. Louis County leaders in their 30s. Three of the awardees are already making their mark at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

The annual awards are presented by North County, Inc., a regional development organization, to individuals in their 30s making a significant impact in the community through their profession and/or community involvement. The luncheon and ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Norwood Hills Country Club, 1 Norwood Hills Country Club Dr. in north St Louis County.

UMSL awardees: Alan Byrd, 34, director of admissions ; Ebony Smith, 30, program coordinator in nursing; and Kristy Tucciarone, 39, assistant teaching professor of media studies, will receive “30 in their 30s” leadership awards.

Byrd, a native St. Louisan and UMSL’s first African-American admissions director, came to the university in 2009 from Southeast Missouri State University. He recruited north St. Louis County students for SEMO four years before being named associate director of enrollment management. At UMSL, Byrd provides leadership, direction and planning for all undergraduate recruitment initiatives. He works closely with area high school students in Bridge, UMSL’s college preparatory program and the 24:1 Committee for College and Career Success. Byrd is currently working on a doctorate in higher education management at UMSL.

Smith is project coordinator for the Black Women Breast Cancer Survivors Project, a long-term research project in the College of Nursing. She helps develop Afrocentric breast health educational material for the underserved African American population in St. Louis. She plans and coordinates two major community events for breast cancer survivors: the Sista Survivorship Social and the Black Women and Breast Cancer: Knowledge is Power Conference. Smith is active in numerous professional organizations including the American Public Health Association and the Missouri Office of Minority Health.

Tucciarone teaches UMSL’s advertising curriculum and serves as faculty advisor for Ad Corps, a student chapter of the American Advertising Federation. This has been a bonus summer ofawards for the dynamic teacher. In June she was presented with the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award, which highlights the achievements of teachers who play a vital role in shaping student’s lives. The following week she was given the James S. Fish Aid to Advertising Education Award from the AAF. Tucciarone’s students nominated her for the award given to an educator for outstanding support of an AAF college chapter. And with her help, her students have racked up 15 advertising awards and scholarships in recent years.

More information:
northstlouiscounty.com

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Maureen Zegel

Maureen Zegel

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