Kathryn Zawisza has been named the new director of academic technology and innovation with Information Technology Services at the University of Arkansas.

Zawisza started the position Monday, April 2, and is already eager to bridge the gap between faculty and IT Services. As she settles into her new role, she will focus on building relationships with faculty across campus.  

"I have an open-door policy," Zawisza said. "I want faculty members to come to me if they have ideas or concerns with technology on campus, or if they need support for projects they're working on. I am here to help faculty excel in their research and teaching."

Zawisza's main goal is to create an open collaborative space where innovative practices are supported. By working closely with faculty, listening to their specific technology needs, and standardizing classrooms, she is confident that IT Services can help improve teaching and research experiences.  

"Classrooms are front and center among our priorities. Over the past year, we've begun addressing classroom support levels and technology inconsistencies but those are only a foundation. Kathryn will be engaging faculty in conversations to develop a plan for what a classroom should look like at the University of Arkansas," said Page Francis, associate chief information officer, adding, "If anyone can do this, I have faith that person is Kathryn."

Zawisza is familiar with many technologies used by our faculty having previously served as a faculty support specialist for Global Campus. She has held several teaching roles at the university-level since 2003. Zawisza has taught in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Arkansas since 2009, served as one of the first graduate assistants for University Perspectives, was an editorial assistant for Philosophical Topics, an academic philosophy journal housed by the university, and she is currently teaching a class examining human nature and the meaning of life.

Zawisza was born in Pennsylvania but attended high school in Greenwood, Arkansas. She earned a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in liberal arts from Henderson State University. At the University of Arkansas, Zawisza earned another master's degree in philosophy. She recently completed her doctorate in philosophy after finishing her dissertation on John Stuart Mills' "On Liberty," which she said is her favorite and most-read book. In her free time, she enjoys reading and researching in the field of philosophy.

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