Kathryn Appenzeller Knowles joins UTSA as director of faculty development
UTSA is pleased to welcome Kathryn “Kate” Appenzeller Knowles as the new director of faculty development within the Faculty Success team. In this role, she will lead initiatives that foster faculty growth and advancement, collaborating with faculty and academic leaders to create new opportunities and enhance existing programs that support faculty at every stage of their careers.
A passionate advocate for innovative pedagogy and faculty support, Appenzeller Knowles brings extensive experience designing faculty development initiatives that promote professional growth and enhance student academic success.
Most recently, she served as both a faculty member and director of faculty development at UT Austin, where she led several major initiatives to support faculty success, including faculty onboarding, mentorship, leadership training and research development programs.
Prior to that, she spent more than three years at Texas A&M-San Antonio, first as director of quantitative reasoning, overseeing the implementation of the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). She later became executive director for the Center for Academic Innovation, where she spearheaded faculty development efforts to enhance student success. In this role, she worked closely with the faculty senate, first-year experience program and student success offices to promote innovative teaching strategies and strengthen faculty engagement.
She began her career in education as a middle and high school math teacher in Wisconsin.
"We are thrilled to welcome Kate to the Faculty Success team," said Kelly Nash, UTSA vice provost for faculty success. "Her experience working with faculty and creating meaningful, effective opportunities for professional growth will be a tremendous asset to UTSA. I look forward to seeing how her leadership will help advance faculty success across our institution and further enhance our efforts to cultivate a supportive and thriving faculty community."
Appenzeller Knowles earned her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from Michigan State University, where she was recognized for her innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
Her scholarly work has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Organization Management Journal, International Journal of Educational Research and Numeracy. She has also presented at more than a dozen academic conferences and has shared her faculty development expertise by leading workshops and serving on panels at various professional meetings.
In addition to her administrative role, Appenzeller Knowles is an assistant professor of instruction in the UTSA Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching.
After growing up in Wisconsin, Appenzeller Knowles and her husband, Tyler, enjoy the warmer temperatures of San Antonio. In her free time, she plays with her cat, Meowington, creates personalized cards, practices yoga and seeks out gluten-free restaurants.
"I am delighted to be part of an innovative and growing university and excited to collaborate with and support its dynamic faculty," she said.
Connect with Appenzeller Knowles on LinkedIn and feel free to reach out to her directly via email.
UTSA Faculty Success works closely with partners across the university to support all faculty through various stages of their career. Visit the Faculty Success website to learn more about the opportunities and resources available to faculty at UTSA.
