Northeast District Counselors
Dr. Christopher Lukasik (2024-Present)What Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college?
I was initiated into the Delta Delta chapter at UMass Amherst in December 2011. What was your major? I graduated from UMass Amherst in December 2015 with a BA in Legal Studies and a BS in Public Health. I then stayed at UMass Amherst and graduated in 2018 with a Master of Public Health in Health Policy & Management. In 2024, I earned a Doctor of Education, concentrating in Leadership & Learning in Organizations, from Northeastern University. Did you hold any Chapter Positions? I was Delta Delta’s Corresponding Secretary (2012-2013), Recording Secretary (2013-2014), and President (2014-2015). Did you hold any District Positions? I served as Alumni Secretary & Historian (2013-2014), Vice President for Membership (2014-2015), and Northeast District President (2015-2016). What are you up to now? I currently live in Northampton, MA and work for the State of Vermont as a Victim Advocate. I help victims of crime navigate criminal and juvenile court systems when an offense is perpetrated against them. I recently defended my doctoral dissertation which was an organization development project looking at how and why advocates for survivors of gender-based violence get involved in public policy change. For fun, I play pick-up dodgeball, pick-up volleyball, collect Pokemon cards, and play my Nintendo Switch. |
Indya Hairston (2023-Present)What Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college?
I am from the Theta Phi chapter from Hampton University in Hampton, Va. I obtained my Master’s in Teaching from Hampton University as well. What was your major? I was a music education major. Did you hold any Chapter Positions? I held the Alumni Liason position in 2016-2017. I served as chapter president from 2017-2019. Did you hold any District Positions? I held the position of District Vice President of Membership from 2019-2020. What are you up to now? Currently, I am a band director in Baltimore City at my Alma Mater Western High School. I am working to attain my Doctorate in Education with an emphasis on Supervision and Administration. I serve as drum major for my mother’s community band in Baltimore City named Epic Attraction Marching Unit. Most times you can find me walking my dog and listening to music just relaxing. |
Dr. Ted McCadden (2018-2024)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? I am a Life Member of the Eta Sigma Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma and Iota Delta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, both at Towson University.
What was your major? Originally, I majored in Music and Theatre. I ended up as a Psychology major, and went to graduate school for Counseling as well. After finishing my doctoral degree in Adult Education and an additional year of post-graduate coursework, I've officially retired from being a student. Did you hold any Chapter positions? Vice President of Membership, Service Chairperson. Did you hold any District positions? No Why did you want to be a NED Counselor? This has been my "dream job" since I was initiated into TBSigma! Mentoring is important to me, and I hope that I can offer the District Council and students of the NED the support and guidance that will help them be successful. What are you up to now? I am a Licensed Counselor, and a Professor of Behavioral Sciences at a college in Baltimore. I also still try to stay active in research and writing as well. |
Dr. Bridgette Bell (2021-2023)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? I was initiated into the Epsilon Omega Chapter (Morgan State University) of Tau Beta Sigma on November 8, 1997.
What was your major? Bachelor of Arts (1999) and Masters of Art degrees (2005) in Music Education/Conducting both from Morgan State University. I also have a passion for leadership and obtained a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. What are you up to now? I am currently a teacher specialist for school performance and achievement in Harford County. I also teach graduate courses and serve as a curriculum writer for the Maryland State Department of Education. I am a trusted professional consultant for the National Teacher Board Certification for music standards and a contributing author for the Amazon Best Selling Book “The HBCU Experience: The HBCU Band Alumni Edition.” |
Kat Howell (2021-2023)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? I am a Life Member of the Theta Theta Chapter from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR.
What was your major? Bachelor of General Studies. I also have a Master’s Degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX, as well as a Master's of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts- Boston. Did you hold any Chapter positions? Parliamentarian/Alumni Secretary/Corresponding Secretary (all one position!) Did you hold any District positions? Southwest District President from 2011-2013 What are you up to now? I currently work as an Associate Director for Training and Development, Undergraduate Residential Life at MIT in Cambridge, MA. I love watching movies and I am very invested in the Marvel Cinematic Universe! I have one perfect dog named Katie, and I'm originally from Texas. I enjoy traveling throughout the NED, the US, and to new international locations. I'm an extrovert, so feel free to say hi anytime! |
Allison Leemann (2015 - 2021)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? I am a Life Member of the Eta Gamma at Boston University. I was Active from 2009-2012.
What was your major? I majored in Philosophy of Ethics with a minor in Public Health. Did you hold any Chapter positions? Social Chair, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer. Did you hold any District positions? Northeast District Vice President of Special Projects (2011-2012) and President (2012-2013). Why did you want to be a NED Counselor? I wanted to support Sisters of Tau Beta Sigma in growing as leaders in their bands, schools, and communities. What are you up to now? After finishing my Master of Public Health degree in 2014 I began my career in healthcare management and oversee medical scribes in New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island. |
Anthony Barbir (2013 - 2018)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? I am a Life Member of the Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). I was an active member from 2007 to 2010.
What was your major? I majored in World Arts and Cultures with a concentration in dance. Did you hold any Chapter positions? Chapter President. Did you hold any District positions? Western District President. Why did you want to be a NED Counselor? I wanted to become the NED Counselor to provide guidance and support to members of Tau Beta Sigma. What are you up to now? I work at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. I also play percussion in a local community band, dance professionally with a few companies part-time, and teach color guard. |
Nicole Kemp (2011 - 2013)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? Zeta Upsilon at West Chester University.
What was your major? B.S. Professional Studies (Psychology and Health Science), M.S. Organization Leadership. Did you hold any Chapter positions? Assistant Vice President of Membership (Nanny), Vice President of Membership. Did you hold any District positions? Vice President of Membership and President. Why did you want to be a NED Counselor? I knew that I wanted to be able to help make a difference in the lives of students. I had acquired a specific skill set and education that I felt should be shared, and I wanted to use those skills to help develop younger leaders. It has proved challenging and rewarding every day. What is your fondest memory of being NED Counselor? My greatest moments were those where I was proud of my students - which makes me cry - and happens basically every day. One moment otherwise that has been particularly special was when my council surprised me and my dear friend Kat by making us district honoraries. That they thought to do something so special was one of the kindest things that has ever happened to me. What is your proudest accomplishment as NED Counselor? At Winter Meeting 2013, our council set the goals for the 2013-2014 term. When ranking their goals, every single member voted for (among other things) the goal of Empowering our Brother Council - it makes me very proud that these students can see beyond this council, beyond this Sorority, and see that it's not about us but rather about the band, and that we need to do it together rather than competing. #onened #howweroll #leadthecharge What are you up to now? I work as the Program Counselor for the College of Visual and Performing Arts at West Chester University - I advise our undergraduates and get to help recruit our prospective students. In my personal time I still travel pretty much as often as I did as the Counselor, which has been really great. I'm also involved with the Global Community for Academic Advising, NACADA, as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters. |
Tom Franklin (2010 - 2011)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? Gamma Kappa, initiated Spring 2000, at the University of Connecticut.
What was your major? Music, Music Education. Did you hold any Chapter positions? Vice President of Membership. Did you hold any District positions? Webmaster, Vice President of Membership. Why did you want to be a NED Counselor? Continuing to serve the district. What is your fondest memory of being NED Counselor? Seeing the councils grow and improve their leadership throughout the year. What are you up to now? Teaching 6-10th grade band in Hartford, CT. |
Dr. Kathryn Garrett Kelly (2007 - 2009)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? Initiated Spring 1998 (April 22nd to be exact) to the Eta Delta Chapter at Howard University. I graduated in May of 2001.
What was your major? Double Major- BS-Biology, BA-Anthropology Chemistry Minor. I returned to Howard for Medical school from 2003-2007 and received by MD. I did my Residency at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC in Internal Medicine. Did you hold any Chapter positions? Chapter President, Chapter Parliamentarian, Chapter Vice President of Membership. Did you hold any District positions? District Treasurer (1999-2000), District President (2000-2001). I also served as the TBS Vice President for the NEDAA from 2001-2006. Why did you want to be a NED Counselor? I had an awesome Counselor (Melanie LeBlanc Meehan) and she made a huge difference in my life and my experience in TBS and in my leadership skills. I wanted to be able to do the same for those coming after me. What is your fondest memory of being NED Counselor? Being a part of donating to a school in honor of the fallen Band Student at Virginia Tech. What is your proudest accomplishment as NED Counselor? Seeing one of my council members become a Counselor. Nicole was an awesome VPM and President and overall a wonderful person and I can only hope that I had something to do with that. What are you up to now? I am currently an Internal Medicine Physician in Albany, GA, but I will be moving back to the Washington, DC area to join a practice in Rockville in September. I think that the NED is in fact the NATION'S ELITE DISTRICT and the leadership and dedication in our district is unparalleled. I am proud to be from the NED and even prouder of you all and the example you all set for TBS nationally. |
Cathy Miles (2005 - 2006, 2003 - 2004, 1991-1997)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? I was initiated in the Spring of 1978 and graduated in good standing in Spring of 1981, and became a Life Member.
What was your major? Music Education. Did you hold any Chapter positions? Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President. Did you hold any District positions? No. Why did you want to be a NED Counselor? I love mentoring. I love TBS. I love Wava. I love NED. I loved the Counselors who went before me; Kathy Rodeffer, Sue Carr, and Suzanne Venit Sturgis. What is your fondest memory of being NED Counselor? Oh my. I love Winter Meeting. We used to do a June Retreat at my house when I was counselor; I loved that, too. But most of all, I loved being at National Leadership with all the National Officers and Board members... what an honor! What is your proudest accomplishment as NED Counselor? Building a collaborative team who worked on Harmony. I always felt that at the end of the service year, the District Council loved each other; not because everyone was perfect, but more because we forgave each other's challenges and supported our strengths. What are you up to now? I am a public elementary school Principal in Baltimore City; and of COURSE, still am a chapter sponsor of Epsilon Omega (go bears!) at Morgan State University. Tau Beta Sigma is a remarkable, sustaining organization. We practice and hone our leadership skills. We always look back to the sisters who went before, to the side to sisters working side by side, and forward to train new sisters to work for our bands. What a great thing Wava did! |
Maisha Davis (2001 - 2003)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? Fall 94 thru Spr 97. Became a life member in the summer of 97. Morgan State Unv. in Baltimore. Epsilon Omega.
What was your major? Psychology. Did you hold any Chapter positions? Yes. I was chapter President 95-96. Advisor for Bowie State Charter line (around 1996); Advisor for Virginia State Charter Line (around 2000). Did you hold any District positions? No. Why did you want to be a NED Counselor? Cathy Miles was the NED Counselor for many years. She is Epsilon Omega's chapter sponsor. She was my role model and inspiration. I wanted to stay connected to the organization and this was an excellent way to continue to serve. What is your fondest memory of being NED Counselor? Judging the Counselor's Awards...I thoroughly enjoyed learning about our chapters and all of the great work they did. Being caught in a snow storm during a northern precinct mtg in New Hampshire. Sleeping in random apartments and campus housing with my district officers at various precinct meetings. What is your proudest accomplishment as NED Counselor? Participating in 3rd degree has always been the most meaningful experience for me during my active participation in the sorority. What are you up to now? Associate VP/Program Administrator for a child welfare provider in MD. Married with 3 children. I still support the MSU band program and TBS chapter as much as I can. |
Melanie LeBlanc Meehan (1998 - 2000)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? Delta Delta (UMass Amherst).
What was your major? Political Science. Did you hold any Chapter positions? Yes: Historian ’92-’93, Corresponding Secretary ’93-’94, Joint Brotherhood/Sisterhood Day Co-Chair Spring ‘92. Did you hold any District positions? Yes: Northeast District Secretary ’94-’95, Northeast District President ’95-’96 & ’96-‘97. Why did you want to be a NED Counselor? My love for, and desire to, promote and advance the mission of Tau Beta Sigma, while providing our members with positive leadership experiences. What is your fondest memory of being NED Counselor? It’s difficult to pick one, as I enjoyed it all from making new friends to working with students. A touching moment for me was when the Northeast District Council wished me well at the NED Convention banquet prior to my moving overseas to London, England. They gave me a sweet American Eagle stuffed toy to remember them by, which I still have today. What is your proudest accomplishment as NED Counselor? Again, this is a difficult one to narrow the field down on. I’ll keep it high level & say that I’m proud of having been able to work with, and help, many talented leaders (on the district & chapter levels) grow their skills and move the Sorority forward on the local, district & national levels. What are you up to now? I currently reside in sunny and warm Oak Park, California (12 miles east of Malibu) with my husband, 9 year old son, 2 dogs and 2 cats. I work as a Business Change Manager for the Medicaid Business at WellPoint (a Fortune 50 company). I’m also serving in a volunteer position as the Chief of Staff for WOW (Women of WellPoint), which is an Associate Resource Group with nearly 1,000 members. In my “spare” time, I am studying for Master’s in Public Administration with a Specialization in Non-Profit Management and Leadership at Walden University. I’m also on the Board of Directors for Learning Through Doing Adventures, a local non-profit organization. |
Sue Robash Carr (1981 - 1989)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? Delta Delta at the University of Massachusetts.
What was your major? History, although there are days that it seemed like Marching Band! Did you hold any Chapter positions? Chapter President for 2 years - District IX Convention Coordinator 1977. Did you hold any District positions? No. Why did you want to be a NED Counselor? At the time, I was appointed and previous to the appointment I was serving as the Delta Delta Chapter Sponsor. What is your fondest memory of being NED Counselor? I have to say that my fondest memory of being the IX/NED counselor was receiving the Wava Award at the Kansas University in 1985 and thus beginning the most wonderful friendship in my TBS life with Wava! What is your proudest accomplishment as NED Counselor? During my tenure as the District IX/NED Counselor, our District experienced its' major growth. The first chapter that I installed as counselor was the Zeta Upsilon Chapter at West Chester University and the last chapter that I installed was Eta Chi at the University of Rhode Island. Later as a member of the Board of Trustees I also installed the Iota Alpha Chapter at Marist College. What are you up to now? After serving as the District IX/NED Counselor from 1981-1989, I served on the Tau Beta Sigma Board of Trustees for 16 years from 1989-1997, 1999-2007, serving in the latter years at the liaison to both the National Alumni Association of Tau Beta Sigma/Kappa Kappa Psi and was a part of the chartering of the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association where I currently serve as the Chair. I am proud to say that I have been serving Tau Beta Sigma for almost 40 years and consider myself one of the luckiest Sisters of Tau Beta Sigma. Many of my lifelong friends are Sisters and Brothers in our bond as well as many lifelong Brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi. I have seen the country through our sorority and am proud to have served with or been a part of 17 National Councils! "...with my Sisters, I am best!" |
Kathy Rodeffer (1980 - 1981)
Which Chapter do you belong to and where did you attend college? Beta Eta - University of MD.
What was your major? Music Education. Did you hold any Chapter positions? Yes - Historian. Did you hold any District positions? Yes - Vice President. Why did you want to be a NED Counselor? I was asked to do it by the National Council. I thought it would be a good way to continue my involvement and support of TBS. What is your fondest memory of being NED Counselor? The Cincinnati National Convention. What is your proudest accomplishment as NED Counselor? I was only District Counselor for 5 or 6 months. I was elected to National Office at the 1981 National convention in Cincinnati. What are you up to now? I retired in June, 2012 after 34 years as an instrumental music educator in Prince George's County Public Schools. I taught band and orchestra for 20 years and was the Instructional Supervisor of Instrumental Music the last 14 years of my career overseeing the band and orchestra curriculum and programs/teachers in over 200 schools. Currently, I am doing some consulting work in a couple of school systems, still assisting the gentleman that followed me in the supervisor position, am adjudicating for band and orchestra festivals and honor bands in the area, am involved in a dog rescue organization (Best Dawg Rescue), and am happily spending more time with my two daughters ages 12 and almost 9 and being more active in their school (including directing their advanced wind kids). |