School of Education Ambassador Kelly Ocampo G’08 (Inclusive Special Education, Grades 1-6) is the 2026 recipient of the Exceptional Woman of the Year award, presented by New York State Assemblymember Pamela J. Hunter (D-128), which celebrates women who have made outstanding contributions to their communities, often in roles as educators, volunteers, trailblazers, and changemakers.
Ocampo is Executive Director of Syracuse-based HOPE for Bereaved Inc., a not for profit organization that provides support and resources for grieving children, adults, and families, as well as training, consultation and resources for those who wish to help the bereaved.
Past: What memory from your time at Syracuse do you most cherish?
I remember my first class as a graduate student with Professor Julie Causton. One of the first lessons she taught us about inclusivity. Curb cuts—those dips in sidewalks for accessibility—became required as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 for people in wheelchairs. Once curb cuts were available, however, people used them for all different reasons: baby strollers, shopping carts, delivery dollies, etc. The lesson is that by including someone, we include everyone.
Present: What in your career or personal time are you working on now that you’d like to share with fellow alums?
Grief is a universal human experience. By talking about grief, and the impact of it on our mental and physical health, we can begin to heal ourselves and each other. Every day I work to change the conversation about death, dying, and grief.
Future: What is your hope for the future of education and learning?
My hope is that humans, both young and old, never tire of learning something new. I hope we are always striving to do better and be better because we are capable of it.