TowerFall2021

4 TOWER | FALL 2021 In January, Dr. Anne Zayaitz stepped down after 36 years of service to the university; first as a faculty member in the Department of Biology, then as associate dean (2009) and dean (2011) for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and most recently as provost and vice president for academic affairs (2016). While Zayaitz was provost, KU secured two new accreditations, added four bachelor’s and two master’s programs, 18 minors, eight certifications and announced its first two doctoral programs. Her work with President Kenneth S. Hawkinson led to higher retention of KU students and signi- ficant improvement in the four-year graduation rate. She hired all four current academic deans and assisted with the hiring of several cabinet and administrative positions. “I have had the honor and privilege of serving the Kutztown University community and working with so many dedicated and caring individuals,” Zayaitz said. “Students have always been my focus and the center of my decision-making and actions; their stories are inspiring. I look forward to learning about and celebrating KU’s future successes.” Dr. Lorin Basden Arnold began her tenure as KU’s provost and vice president on June 28. She serves as the university’s chief academic officer and as a member of the president’s cabinet, overseeing all educational, scholarly, service and research initiatives throughout the division of Academic Affairs, as well as all technology efforts. “The selection of Dr. Basden Arnold is an ideal match for Kutztown University and our many outstanding students, faculty, staff and administrators,” said university president Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson . “Her solid mix of experience, including nine years as a dean, three years as a provost, and impressive credentials as a teacher, scholar and provider of service, will be highly beneficial to our campus.” Before arriving at Kutztown, Basden Arnold’s varied experience stems from SUNY New Paltz, N.Y., and Rowan University, N.J. She is a three-time graduate of Purdue University, Ind. “As a first-generation college student who attended a state school and spent decades of service at state-supported schools, I have a real appreciation for the work that KU does to support diverse student populations as they work to reach their potential,” she said. NEWS NOTES academics Basden Arnold Named Provost and VP for Academic Affairs Zayaitz Retires After 36 Years at KU KU’s undergraduate Computer Science and Information Tech- nology programs have been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. “ABET accreditation provides prospective students confidence in the quality of these two programs,” said Dr. Lisa Frye ’90, M’93 , department chair. “The accreditation was achieved through the dedication and hard work of all members of the department, which they bring to their jobs every day in helping students be successful in their courses and programs of study.” KU is the only university in the region to offer an accredited Bachelor of Science in Infor- mation Technology degree. Computer Science, Information Technology Earn Accreditation Earn a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education in 12 Months Kutztown University has accelerated its Master of Education in secondary education with initial certification to a 12-month program (originally 15 months). The program is a hybrid, social justice-oriented teacher preparation program and is designed for individuals with undergraduate degrees interested in becoming teachers of diverse student populations in U.S. urban public schools. Students can earn a teaching certification in biology, general science, earth and space science, chemistry, physics, English, mathematics, social studies, Spanish or German.