If you ask any faculty member who has worked with the CITL on a project, grant, or learning community, odds are they know Lisa Kurz. When I started at the CITL, Lisa mentored me; we met weekly to discuss my work and progress in instructional consulting. She invited me to observe her consultations and her programs, and she offered to co-facilitate events with me. She even edited my first blog post. Now, I have the honor of highlighting her career as she retires from this line of work and pursues the finer things in life—family, crafts, and Italy (fingers crossed).
Armed with a neuroscience PhD, Lisa arrived at the CITL by way of the Campus Writing Program. While she admitted had “never even been in a writing center,” the hiring committee saw Lisa’s thoughtfulness and determination and hired her to direct Writing Tutorial Services. Here, she oversaw tutors and consulted with faculty about using writing in their courses. After moving through the ranks, she joined Campus Instructional Consulting (CIC) a precursor to the CITL. Lisa has seen the CITL mature, through name changes, the inclusion of technology consultants and other specialized offices, and physical moves.
Throughout those changes, Lisa has been central to many of the CITL’s major programs, including the New Faculty Orientation to Teaching, Course Development Institute, DEIJ Institute, and many workshops and webinars. She also created and co-created several signature events: the Peer Review Faculty Learning Community, Teaching Faculty Symposium and Career Development Days, and New Faculty Academy. She took a leadership role in a program that worked with all departments in the College to develop program goals for their undergraduate majors, map their curricula, and start to assess student learning outcomes. Her work on peer review of teaching with Kelley Consultant Eric Metzler is nationally recognized and changed how faculty peer review is perceived and fulfilled at IU. Not to mention, she mentored incoming consultants, ensuring they had necessary information to succeed and a lunch buddy.
While Lisa’s wealth of knowledge about learning science has been a boon to CITL and its programs, she has equally impacted the lives of our staff, faculty, and students through her generosity, compassion, and open-mindedness. Lisa is always willing to spearhead a new project (like the recently established Crimson Course Transformation Initiative) or review her colleagues’ work. She serves on our office Care Committee, which focuses on celebrating and supporting colleagues. She extends the same care to faculty members; when I asked what she was most proud of during her tenure at the CITL, she pointed to her programming supporting teaching faculty and increasing awareness about the issues they face. Just this morning, I witnessed an instructor thanking Lisa for helping her feel acknowledged and empowered as she completes her first semester teaching.
Because of her unwavering dedication to creating positive teaching experiences, it is hard to imagine the CITL without Lisa Kurz. I think I speak for innumerable colleagues and faculty when I write a sincere thank you to Lisa. However, we are also excited to hear all about her next chapter! Lisa plans on spending more time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren, and engaged in activities she loves: knitting, cooking, and yoga. A lifelong learner, Lisa started Italian lessons and hopes to travel to Italy with her family. We wish you all the picturesque views and delicious pasta, Lisa!
Lisa–I was hoping this link was invitation to a party for you, because I would have cleared my calendar to attend! Congratulations on your “graduation” from CITL. Enjoy the life that is about to commence.
All my interactions with Lisa over the years have been lovely. From our NTT Teaching Toolbox brown bag lunches to our Peer Observation training program, Lisa’s presence has mattered for my professional development. Thank you, Lisa! Cheers to new adventures!
Dear Lisa,
Many congratulations on your upcoming retirement. I hope you enjoy every minute with family, friends, and your many hobbies and side hustles. 😉
It was a pleasure working with you over the years – I always learned something new from you.
May you enjoy good health and the warmth of your family in this time to come!
With many kind regards,
Cordah
Not so fast there, Lisa. I’m just getting started on this stuff. You can’t leave me now.
Lisa! Congrats on this new stage. Your expertise, kindness, generosity, and down-to-earthness are truly rare. Thank you for being a beacon of light and wisdom in what can, at times, feel like a dark and overwhelming landscape. Your impact on teaching, learning, and all of us lucky enough to work alongside you is immeasurable. You’ve made higher education a better place, and your legacy will continue to inspire us. Wishing you endless joy, relaxation, and exciting new adventures in retirement—you’ve earned it!
Dear Lisa,
In my teaching I always use the methods you taught me at the teaching workshop many years ago. You also helped me with writing my teaching statement. I am always thankful when I think of the times I learned from you. Many, many thanks to you, and I wish the best in your next journey.