Alexa Kocur, a junior at Syracuse University’s School of Information Studies, is part of a team that’s working to uncover hidden trends of how misinformation is spread to U.S. voters through social media.
Led by iSchool Professor and Senior Associate Dean Jennifer Stromer-Galley, the team was awarded a $250,000 research grant from Neo4j to identify misinformation trends in the U.S. presidential election and other top 2024 contests.
“This has been the most rewarding part of my college experience thus far,” Kocur said. “In this research grant, I help categorize campaign advertisements and social media messages from both current and past U.S. political candidates, supporting key research initiatives in the field.”
As part of the research team, she helps review and validate advertisement categories to ensure accuracy and consistency in the data analysis.
“This research has been particularly meaningful to me because it’s not only sharpened my analytical skills but has also opened doors for personal growth,” she said. “It’s given me the confidence to tackle complex problems, engage in high-level discussions, develop a deeper understanding of political communication, and contribute to impactful research that sheds light on political behavior in the digital age.”
The research grant isn’t the only thing Kocur is working on. Along with her studies, she holds two jobs on campus – one as a content creator for the iSchool marketing team and the other as a researcher for the iSchool. She plans to graduate in 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in Information Management and Technology with concentrations in Project Management and Information Security Management.
“When I was applying to colleges, I had a clear sense of direction. I’ve always been fascinated by technology, and growing up surrounded by it only deepened my interest. I knew that technology’s role in society would continue to expand, and I wanted to be part of that evolution,” she said. “During my college search, the iSchool stood out as something truly unique. I wanted to be part of a close-knit community within a larger university setting, and that’s exactly what I found at the iSchool.”
Kocur’s heritage as a Ukrainian-American is another important part of her college life. Since her freshman year, she has been an active member of the Syracuse Ukrainian National Home, where she teaches a group of 7- to 9-year-olds about Ukrainian culture through fun, creative activities.
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to pass on the importance of embracing one’s roots to the younger generation, even while being away from home,” she said.
“When I came to Syracuse, I knew staying connected to my culture would be a priority,” she said. “I’m deeply passionate about giving back and volunteering, and I’ve been fortunate to find ways to stay involved with the Ukrainian community here.”
Kocur is also a proud member of Kappa Theta Pi, a professional technology fraternity that she joined her sophomore year. She credits the organization for helping her expand her network and find opportunities for personal and professional growth.
As she approaches her senior year at the iSchool, Kocur is beginning to apply for internships and think about her life after college. Her goal is to find a career that combines her passion for project management and information security.
“I envision myself leading projects to ensure that companies have the highest level of security,” she said. “My dream is to work at the intersection of innovation and protection, make sure that I am challenging myself everyday and helping organizations implement cutting edge technology that help the company grow.”