Kristen Elmore delivers a lesson during the PRYDE Youth Investigators Summit. (Photo by Heather Ainsworth)
Kristen Elmore has been named the new director of the Program for Research on Youth Development (PRYDE). A program in the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research (BCTR), PRYDE prepares undergraduate students on research translation in partnership with the New York State 4-H program and other community organizations. Elmore steps into the director role on July 1, 2025, taking over for Anthony Burrow.
Elmore is associate director of the BCTR and has served as PRYDE assistant director since 2018. She administered and enhanced the PRYDE Scholars program, a two-year translational research experience for Cornell Human Ecology (CHE) juniors and seniors. She also launched the Youth Investigators project, which introduces young people to youth participatory action research methodology. This year, PRYDE partnered with New Roots Charter School in Ithaca to have the school’s class of 2027 take part in the program, which will be facilitated by PRYDE Scholars. Elmore also integrated PRYDE’s annual Youth Development Research Update into Cornell Human Ecology’s in-service for extension educators.
“Kristen’s strong collaborative relationships with key partners at New York State 4-H and other community organizations throughout the state demonstrate her deep and creative understanding of PRYDE’s mission,” said Burrow, director of the BCTR. “She is the perfect person to lead PRYDE into its next phase of growth and impact.”
Elmore will continue her role as BCTR’s associate director.
Looking to the future, Elmore hopes to extend PRYDE’s success in training new generations of community-engaged researchers.
“PRYDE’s strength is in our partnerships, and our undergraduate PRYDE Scholars are the center of gravity that allows PRYDE to connect with faculty, practitioners and youth,” Elmore said. “As we continue that work, I see a need to share our approach as a potential blueprint for others to explore student programs as connections between researchers and community, which feels critical in this moment.”
Burrow will continue to stay close to PRYDE in his role as BCTR director. The former 4-H’er said PRYDE’s mission has shaped his work.
“What began as an early career leap of faith nearly a decade ago transformed into the realization that this was an essential part of a career I had always aspired to build,” said Burrow. “PRYDE has not just been a program I’ve directed; it has been the work that endeared me to this college and its extraordinary community of students, faculty, staff and alumni. I look forward to watching and supporting what PRYDE will accomplish under Kristen’s visionary leadership.”
