Kathy Kitto to assume leadership role in Academic Affairs

Western Washington University Professor Kathy Kitto will be assuming a part-time leadership role to assist with Academic Affairs’ priorities within Western’s comprehensive campaign and with opportunities to advance the university’s new trans-collegiate initiatives, Provost Catherine Riordan announced today.

Kitto, associate dean of the College of Sciences and Technology, will continue some responsibilities there in the short term because of her commitment to a successful transition within the dean’s office. She also will continue to teach 50 percent in Engineering Technology.

"I am delighted Professor Kitto will be working more closely with us on these trans-collegiate initiatives. Her track record in building sustainable, collaborative efforts is very widely acknowledged at Western,” Riordan said. “Vice President Stephanie Bowers and I also appreciate her deep understanding of some of the initiatives likely to be pursued within the campaign, as well as her experience with development efforts, both of which we hope will lead to many successes."

Riordan noted that Kitto’s strengths include bringing good ideas to fruition, a role she will have in Academic Affairs. She also is a strong grant writer, well-regarded in the community and made important contributions to successful legislative decision packages and other efforts that supported creation and success of the interdisciplinary Advanced Materials Science and Engineering Center and Behavorial Neuroscience Program.

“In Professor Kitto’s new role, her strength in interdisciplinary efforts and knowledge of the campus and community will be critical to Academic Affairs and to the entire university,” Riordan said.

Kitto, associate dean of CST since its inception in 2003, is a professor of Engineering Technology and served as chair of that department for seven years. She is the lead principal investigator on a National Science Foundation  project to advance the careers of women within the sciences, engineering and mathematics. She is active in her discipline and is the lead PI on a second NSF project designed to enhance materials engineering educational outcomes through innovative applications built for smart devices. In 2010, she received Western’s Diversity Achievement Award. She received Western’s Team Recognition awards in 2010 and 2009.

"I am thrilled to be assuming a new leadership role within academic affairs where I will have the opportunity to facilitate the development of Western’s new trans collegial initiatives by working closely with Provost Riordan, Vice President Bowers and many other campus leaders, our faculty, students, staff, development team members, and community leaders," Kitto said. "I am especially energized by the wide range of possibilities achievable through the campaign and other pathways, and I am eager to begin my new role."