Meet the Hendricks Chapel Team
The Rev. Brian E. Konkol, Ph.D.
Vice President and Dean of Hendricks Chapel
Phone: 315.443.2902
Email: bkonkol@syr.edu
The Rev. Brian Konkol serves as Vice President and Dean of Hendricks Chapel and Professor of Practice at Syracuse University.
An ordained Lutheran minister, Konkol is responsible for guiding, nurturing, and enhancing religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical life at the University and across its extended community. As a member of Chancellor Kent Syverud’s Executive Team, Chancellor’s Council, and University Leadership Team, Konkol provides support and input for university-wide strategic initiatives and overall operations.
Since arriving to Syracuse University in 2017, Konkol has collaborated alongside students, chaplains, faculty, staff, board members, and alumni to steward Hendricks Chapel through a period of transformational change and expanded impact. A strategic plan initiated by Konkol has reaffirmed Hendricks Chapel as a central component of campus life, focused on increasing student involvement by understanding and addressing student aspirations, clarifying the chapel mission, pursuing organizational innovation and excellence, inspiring philanthropic support, and cultivating a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Bianca Caiella Breed
Operations Specialist/Assistant to the Dean
Phone: 315.443.2902
Email: bcaiella@syr.edu
Bianca is responsible for overseeing Hendricks Chapel’s many administrative actions while serving as the primary point-person for the Dean, aligning the Chapel’s mission with campus and community partners. She joined Syracuse University in 2001 in Human Resources and continued within multiple areas of Advancement. Bianca earned a B.A. in Human Resource Management from SUNY Oswego. She is currently working toward her Master’s Degree in Project Management from Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her family, collecting antiques, and sharing family traditions with her children.
José “Peppie” Calvar, DMA
Director of Choral Activities & Hendricks Chapel Choir, Artistic Director
Phone: 315.443.2191
Email: jcalvar@syr.edu
José “Peppie” Calvar, D.M.A. is Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Syracuse University where he directs the Hendricks Chapel Choir and serves as Artistic Director of Holidays at Hendricks. Calvar also directs the University Tenor-Bass Ensemble called Setnor Sonority, and teaches conducting, graduate and upper-class choral literature and choral arranging. He was honored to receive the 2020-2021 Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award from VPA. Calvar serves as Chair of Applied Music and Performance in the Setnor School of Music, and as music director for Syracuse University’s Catholic Campus Ministry.
Nadine Haines
Events Coordinator
Phone: 315.443.3235
Email: nehaines@syr.edu
Nadine assists with planning and producing events hosted at Hendricks Chapel. Nadine comes to the team with an extensive background in planning a variety of events and has produced events across the country. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, and Economics from SUNY Empire State College. She is currently working toward her Master’s Degree in Project Management from Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her son, husband, Jarvis her dog, or reading a good book.
Dara Harper
Communications Manager
Phone: 315.443.5044
Email: dmharper@syr.edu
Dara wears many hats at the Chapel, including writing, promotional support, designing and connecting with our many staff, student, and professor friends. She has spent years working in Communications for area nonprofits and enjoys doing work for the greater good. Dara has taught yoga for 27 years from California to New York and everywhere in between. Currently, she is pursuing her Communications Management master’s degree at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication.
Please contact Dara with any media requests for our staff or chaplains!
Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz
Associate Dean
Phone: 315.443.5127
Email: rrkantro@syr.edu
Rebecca supports the work of our chaplaincies, religious and spiritual life groups, and the Student Assembly of Interfaith Leaders (SAIL). She also oversees the Student Opportunity Fund and the University Food Pantries. Rebecca currently serves on the University Senate as an elected staff representative and on the Board of Directors for Interfaith Works of Central New York.
Rebecca’s work in student life has spanned three decades and five institutions, including Allegheny College, Niagara University, UC Berkeley, and Hamilton College. She launched her career as a residence hall director at SU in the 1980s and returned in 2002. When not at the Chapel, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family and reading the New York Times.
Annie Laver
University Organist
Phone: 315.443.2901
Email: alaver@syr.edu
As Syracuse University Organist, Anne follows a long line of distinguished organists who have served Hendricks Chapel. In this role, she serves as artistic director for the Malmgren Concert Series and Music & Message Series, accompanies the Hendricks Chapel Choir, and plays for chapel services and university events. She also teaches organ lessons and classes as a faculty member in the Setnor School of Music. Anne’s performance activities have taken her across the United States, Europe, Scandinavia, Central America, and Africa. Her favorite trips are those that allow her to add on a visit to a national park! She enjoys hiking, reading, and coaching Little League baseball. For more info, visit: annelaver.com.
Alison C.J. Murray ’01
Assistant Dean for Student Assistance
Phone: 315.443.9388
Email: acmurray@syr.edu
As assistant dean for student assistance, Alison is responsible for religious and spiritual outreach programs and services that offer assistance for students in need of holistic support. Alison served in the U.S. Army for over 20 years, with management experience in nursing, health administration, patience care technologies, and training. In addition to earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Syracuse University, she holds a Master of Science from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Washington. She lives in Manlius with her husband Dwayne ’97 and they have three sons: Dwayne II, Caleb, and Malachi. In her spare time, she loves reading, dancing, running and giving back to the community.
Kaleya Scott
Engagement Coordinator
Phone: 315.443.1254
Email: khscott@syr.edu
As engagement coordinator, Kaleya will focus on engaging students with opportunities and resources at Hendricks Chapel. She graduated from SU with her B.S. in Social Work in 2019. During that time she served as a Falk College representative and ambassador; she was also a resident advisor. Kaleya is a Syracuse native who serves at God’s Temple of Faith Ministries as an associate youth pastor and recently founded the Selah Young Adult Ministry.
JB Scurlock
Office Coordinator
Phone: 315.443.2901
Email: jbscurlo@syr.edu
As the office coordinator, JB’s top priority is to make the Dean’s office a welcoming and safe environment for all. She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.S. in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in Campus Public Safety. She has over a decade of experience in higher education public safety and compliance. JB is a Texas native and came to Syracuse University to pursue a graduate degree in Medicolegal Death Investigation. In her spare time, JB enjoys discovering new music and creative writing.
Alex Snow
Director of Events
Phone: 315.443.2903
Email: adsnow@syr.edu
As Director of Events, Alex directs the scheduling, planning, and execution of events hosted by and in Hendricks Chapel. A proud Le Moyne College graduate, Alex earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications in 2009 and a master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration at Canisius College in 2012. He is currently working toward his Master’s Degree in Project Management from Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies. Alex joined Syracuse University in 2014 and volunteers on numerous boards throughout the University. In his spare time, he enjoys going on adventures with his family, woodworking, home projects, and hiking in the Adirondacks as much as possible. For more information about hosting your event at Hendricks Chapel, please email Alex at chapelevents@syr.edu.
Leondra Tyler
Student Coordinator
Phone: 315.443.1254
Email: ljtyler@syr.edu
Leondra Tyler is currently attending Syracuse University for two Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Neuroscience. She has an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Syracuse University, of which she graduated cum laude. Leondra’s academic achievements include consistently making Dean’s List nearly every semester of her academic career. She serves as an advocate for student aid funding, specifically for H/EOP programs, directly meeting with Senators, Legislators, and Assemblymen to discuss the importance of government funding for higher education programs in New York state. Most of these programs help fund non-traditional and underprivileged students succeed in higher education. At Hendricks Chapel, she has been involved in managing the campus food pantries. When she is not at Hendricks Chapel, Leondra loves to go hiking, cook and take photographs of nature and architecture.
At Hendricks Chapel, Leondra connects with students and create a safe space for them to be their best selves. As Student Coordinator of Engagement Programs, Leondra helps with managing the food pantry and community service programs.
Maureen Verone
Budget Administrator
Phone: 315.443.5047
Email: mverone@syr.edu
Maureen Verone is a native of East Lansing, Michigan and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Siena Heights University in Drawing & Painting. She has worked for Syracuse University at different administrative levels since 2000 following an administrative track focusing on budget & financials. She joined Hendricks Chapel in 2019 as the Budget Administrator. She enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening, animals and all aspects associated with the process of making art, keeping creativity the focal point in her life. She lives with her husband Al in Michigan.