James July-August 2025 web - Flipbook - Page 33
r. Kathy “Kat”
Schwaig, who became interim president in July 2021
before being named
president in March
2022, has been working at Kennesaw
State University (KSU) for over two
decades. Before that, the Texas native earned a BBA in Accounting and
an MBA in Information Systems from
Baylor University and a Ph.D. in Information Systems from the University
of South Carolina. Now, she reflects,
it has been quite a journey from
becoming a KSU faculty member to
the university’s top leader. And it is
defined, she says, by a deep belief
in the power of education and the
potential of KSU’s students.
Many who know her say that
when she was appointed by the
University System Board of Regents
as president, she brought with her
a vision rooted in growth, excellence and transformation. Now, as
the Cobb County institution marks
record-breaking milestones and expands its national profile, it appears
that her vision is becoming reality.
“We’re proud of the momentum,”
Schwaig told me in an interview. “It
gives us the ability to invest in our
students, faculty and new programs
that will shape the future.”
That momentum is evident
not only in enrollment numbers
but also in graduation rates, with
a record-breaking 9,000 students
earning degrees last year. Just this
spring, the university celebrated
4,700 graduates crossing the commencement stage.
bachelor’s degree in data science
and analytics, a master’s degree in
artificial intelligence, and the nation’s first MBA concentration in rural management. This program will
begin in the fall of 2025. Additionally,
KSU has doubled the size of its nursing program through a partnership
with Wellstar Health System. This, of
course, will help address Georgia’s
A Vision & Plan
KSU has developed an ambitious
five-year strategic plan— “Taking
Flight”— which outlines the institution’s mission to become nationally
prominent— known not just for its
size, but for the quality of its academics, research and student experience. “I define prominence as
being known,” Schwaig explained.
“We want the work of our students,
faculty, and staff to be recognized far
beyond Georgia.”
The president says the plan
focuses on five core pillars: academic excellence, student experience,
research expansion, operational
Historic Growth
excellence and national recognition.
Consider the unprecedented
Schwaig is quick to emphasize the
growth typified by a transformed
synergy between these goals. “Stucampus. The university welcomed
dents will stay and succeed if they’re
its largest-ever freshman class in fall
academically supported and person2024 and now ranks third in size with- ally engaged,” she emphasized.
in the University System and is 30th
nationally. In fact, research reveals
Academic Innovation
that KSU is the seventh-fastest growSeveral initiatives have recently
ing university in the United States.
been launched that include a new
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