Lexington, Va. (July 27, 2021) – Ryan L. Upshaw, chief diversity officer of Jackson Preparatory School in Jackson, Mississippi, was recently elected to the Board of Trustees for the Omicron Delta Kappa Society and Educational Foundation, Inc. His three-year term as one of the Society’s at-large trustees began on July 1, 2021. In the 2022-23 fiscal and academic year, Upshaw will serve as chair of the Society’s Mission Committee.
The announcement of the election was made by Tara S. Singer, president and chief executive officer of O∆K. Singer said, “Through the years, Ryan Upshaw has been one of Omicron Delta Kappa’s most dedicated volunteers. He was an exceptional advisor at the University of Mississippi, and I know he will be a great advocate for the current and former faculty advisors and circle coordinators. I look forward to working with Ryan in this new capacity.”
Upshaw is a 2005 collegiate initiate of the University of Mississippi Circle (chapter) of Omicron Delta Kappa. He served that circle until July 2020, and he is a 2018 recipient of the Society’s Eldridge W. Roark, Jr. Meritorious Service Award. Upshaw was also a four-year member of O∆K’s National Advisory Council.
In addition to his membership in O∆K, Upshaw is an initiate of Lambda Sigma Honor Society and Mortar Board. Currently, he is serving as a member of Lambda Sigma’s National Board of Directors. Upshaw also served as a chapter advisor for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. at the University of Mississippi.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in psychology at Ole Miss, Upshaw earned a master’s degree in higher education and student personnel administration from the school. He is currently working on completing his doctorate in educational administration at Mississippi. His involvement in community activities includes serving as board president for the United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County and as director of alumni relations for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program.
About the appointment, Upshaw said, “It is a distinct honor to be chosen to serve as a faculty/staff trustee of the board among such an accomplished group of leaders. My time as an advisor for the Alphi Phi Circle at the University of Mississippi was a very memorable piece of my experience there, and I look forward to continuing to serve the faculty/staff interests of the society as well as supporting our O∆K student leaders across the country.”
Omicron Delta Kappa Society, the National Leadership Honor Society, was founded in Lexington, Virginia, on December 3, 1914. A group of 15 students and faculty members established the Society to recognize and encourage leadership at the collegiate level. The founders established the O∆K Idea—the concept that individuals representing all phases of collegiate life should collaborate with faculty and others to support the campus and community. O∆K’s mission is to honor and develop leaders; encourage collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and alumni; and promote O∆K’s ideals of collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, scholarship, and service college and university campuses throughout North America. The Society’s national headquarters are located in Lexington, Virginia.
Contact
- Tara S. Singer, president and chief executive officer, Omicron Delta Kappa, (540) 458-5340, tara@odk.org
