Meet Nicole New York – Carrying on the Legacy of Emma Empire

The New York State Association of Educational Office Professionals is proud to introduce our new mascot: Nicole New York, the spirited cousin of our former mascot, Emma Empire. Nicole is ready to continue Emma’s tradition of highlighting the important work of educational office professionals across our great state.

Nicole’s name is a playful nod to New York itself, and just like our state, she is full of energy, diversity, and pride. From the soaring Adirondacks to the rolling hills of the Southern Tier, Nicole has been traveling across New York, visiting schools, colleges, and districts where office professionals keep education running smoothly. She believes that the heartbeat of every school lies not only in classrooms, but also in the offices where records are kept, communication flows, and students and families find support.

Her travels take her from Albany, our capital, where she helps at district offices, to Buffalo, cheering for hard-working staff while braving the snow. She’s seen the bright lights of New York City, where schools serve more than a million students, and she’s enjoyed the calm of the Finger Lakes, meeting dedicated professionals who balance school schedules as easily as wineries balance grapes. In Watertown, she’s marveled at the strength of teams who work alongside military families near Fort Drum, and in Long Island, she’s joined office professionals ensuring that busy districts keep everything on track.

Nicole knows that New York isn’t just one place—it’s a blend of regions, cultures, and communities. Her journey reminds us that whether you’re in the North Country, the Capital Region, Western New York, or anywhere in between, office professionals share the same dedication: supporting students, staff, and schools.

With her New York spirit, Nicole brings enthusiasm to every stop, reminding us of the strength we have when we work together as a statewide team. She looks forward to meeting you on her adventures and celebrating the vital role you play in education.

So, keep an eye out—Nicole New York may be visiting your corner of the state next!

During the 2^nd Annual Conference of the New York State Association of Educational Secretaries (NYSAES) held in Syracuse, NY on September 24-25, 1954, the idea of the Association having a "doll" to represent it at various gatherings of the group was discussed.

Many of the states had such dolls named appropriately for the state they represented and considered "cousins" to Nancy National, the doll which represented the National Association of Educational Secretaries (NAES). It was voted at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting that such a doll should be created. The name EMMA EMPIRE was decided upon - Emma, after Emma Castner of Washington, New Jersey, who was president of the NAES and who had been such help in forming this association and Empire after our own state.

In July 1955, EMMA EMPIRE made her debut at the annual convention of the NAES in Chicago, Illinois. She was presented by Barbara Klumpp who was the New York State delegate. Barbara's mother was responsible for dressing Emma in her authentic Native American costume that she still wears today.

In August 1955 she first appeared in Albany at the Secretaries' Institute and then that October she traveled to Buffalo to be present at the Annual Meeting and Conference of this Association. In 2009 she traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota for the 75^th Anniversary celebration of the National Association of Educational Office Professionals where she "met" her counterparts from across the United States.

Since the 2014 Conference, Emma has been traveling the state, attending dinner meetings for the Broome-Tioga Association of Educational Office Professionals, the Chautauqua County Association of Educational Office Professionals, and the Erie County Association of Educational Office Professionals. In 2015 She visited Buffalo, New York for the 2015 NAEOP Conference, and traveled to St. Louis, Missouri for the 2016 NAEOP Conference.

Emma continues to travel to NYSAEOP Annual Meetings and Conferences each year!