College of Education and Health Professions Celebrates the Career of Beloved Faculty Member Kit Kacirek

The College of Education and Health Professions is remembering the many contributions associate professor emerita Kit Kacirek made during her 25-year career.

Kacirek first arrived on the U of A campus in 1999 as a visiting professor. She moved to an assistant professor role within a year and remained in the college until her retirement in January 2025. She passed away after a short illness in February 2026.

Throughout Kacirek's long and successful career at the U of A, she was recognized with numerous awards, including the college's Faculty Career Award the year before she retired, the Golden Tusk Award, a WE CARE Round of Applause and several advising and mentoring departmental awards.

"I learned so much from Kit," said Michael Hevel, associate dean for research, strategy and outreach, who served as Kacireck's department head for five years. He noted that she launched an innovative doctoral program in the college's Adult and Lifelong Learning (ADLL) program in 2012, blending the flexibility of online courses with the community-building of in-person meetings. Kacirek served as the doctoral program coordinator for over a decade and taught multiple courses in both the Human Resource Development and Adult and Lifelong Learning content areas. In ADLL, Kacirek was instrumental in developing most M.S. and Ed.D.-level courses. She fully developed and taught 13 new courses in the ADLL program.

Kacirek's research and scholarship were also strong suits. She published 26 peer-reviewed journal articles and 10 book chapters. In addition, she delivered 44 presentations worldwide.

Kacirek was active in service across campus at the program, departmental, college and university level. She served as an organizational development consultant for various external clients and multiple units at the U of A and was also active in her professional field, serving as a conference and manuscript reviewer, participating in professional organizations and consistently contributing to conferences and workshops.

Kacirek especially excelled at connecting with students. She consistently received positive comments on student evaluations, where she was praised for her teaching style, ability to explain difficult concepts and overall care and support. During her tenure as a faculty member, she chaired 56 dissertations and, at times, had as many as 18 at once. Kacirek served as the advisory chair for every doctoral-level student in the ADLL program from 2012 to her retirement and as a member of numerous dissertation committees.

"She was always excited to spend time with students, even though this usually occurred on Saturdays," Hevel recalled. "That so many asked her to chair their dissertations reflected the support and encouragement she provided throughout their coursework."

Associate professor Kenda Grover, who worked alongside Kacirek in ADLL for 23 years, also mentioned student mentorship as one of Kacirek's most admirable strengths. "Students were drawn to her in ways that words cannot capture," Grover said. "She had a gift for making them feel that they belonged in the program and that she genuinely respected them as people and not just as students. She made an effort to get to know them. When students, or anyone for that matter, spent time with her, she was completely present and gave them her undivided attention. I believe students saw Kit as an advocate who would do whatever it took to help them earn their degree. She often used her coaching skills to help them reimagine their professional lives, and, after graduating from the program, many students acknowledged that she instilled in them the confidence to achieve more than they ever thought possible."

Several colleagues noted that Kacirek was similarly available as a faculty collaborator and mentor. "Her commitment to the program and to her colleagues was evidenced by her postponing her retirement more than once to help guide the program through periods of transition," Grover said.

Hevel said if a colleague was going through a difficult time, Kacirek provided support and "a little tough love."

"And she did this all with a positive attitude, great laugh, and in an office that looked like an elegant antique store," he said. "She was one of the world's best colleagues. I was lucky to work with her and have her as a friend."

Grover also mentioned Kacirek's colorful office, which she once painted purple. "Everyone who encountered her quickly realized that she had a unique style all her own. She colored outside the lines," Grover said. "Kit had a wonderful way of being in the world. She lived in the moment. She was fun, unconventional, curious about so many things, and she was witty. She didn't take herself too seriously. All these character traits made it hard not to like her."

Overall, Grover said, "She brought out the best in all of us."

College of Education and Health Professions Dean Kate Mamiseishvili also remembered Kacirek as a close colleague, but most importantly, as her friend.

"She was the first person who put a bug in my ear about taking on the leadership role, and she was always there for me during the most significant professional and personal moments of my life, from celebrating my appointment as dean to wedding dress shopping," Mamiseishvili said. "I have a scarf from Kit, which she got me on her last trip to Ireland, with the Jonathan Swift quote, 'May you live all the days of your life.' That's how Kit lived her life, and I will do my best to make every day count in her memory."

Kristin Higgins, department head for the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods, where Kacirek taught, also spoke of Kacirek's supportive and adventurous spirit.

"Kit was the kind of person that, after meeting her for the first time, you felt at home and were extremely grateful to have her in your life," Higgins said. "She was the best listener, the most giving, and had a huge heart. She was also the one who always reminded you to live life — take the risk, wear the dress, go on the trip and live life to the fullest."