This semester marks the first full semester that Kathy Schwaig, the sixth president of Kennesaw State University, will spend in the role after her March 15 promotion.
Taking the role over from former President Pamela Whitten, Schwaig first assumed the role of interim president in July 2021. An investiture ceremony will be held to celebrate Schwaig’s new chapter at KSU on Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. in the KSU Convocation Center.
Schwaig said she never originally planned on becoming a member of KSU administration when she first joined the university in 2002 as a professor of information systems. However, she has filled the roles of KSU’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs as well as Dean of the Michael J. Coles College of Business before accepting her current position.
“This is an exceptional university. A very special place. There is a lot of momentum here, and our focus is on how we can serve our student-focused mission more intentionally,” Schwaig said, “It’s an exciting time to be at KSU.”
This extensive and varied history in the field of educational administration has given Schwaig plenty of experience and understanding about what she can do to best serve the school. In particular, her tenure as a dean and provost has provided her insight into the needs of the school’s different departments.
“Each role has been very important in my development,” Schwaig said, “Serving as a faculty member for years prior to being an administrator helped me understand the centrality and importance of the work faculty do. Our faculty serve the core mission of the university: teaching, research and service.”
Schwaig serves as the chief executive of 12 cabinet members that report directly to her. Her responsibilities as KSU’s president include: providing leadership in expanding KSU’s academic experience, decision-making over the university’s budget and the recruitment and graduation of students. Schwaig is also responsible for operations of KSU’s Marietta and Kennesaw campuses, Atlanta sites in Sandy Springs, Cobb Galleria and KSU’s campus in Italy.
Upon first taking up the role of president, Dr. Schwaig knew above all else that she wanted to change the school’s community for the better. When asked about how she would bring this about, her answer revolved entirely around the students and their connection to KSU. She said she wants to build a strong community of students and will set herself apart from previous presidents by making KSU known for “the student experience.”
Schwaig advises rising and current students to invest in themselves both academically and socially while attending the university.
“These are special years. You want to do great academically, but you also want to meet new people and share new experiences,” Schwaig said, “That is what college should be about!”
Schwaig said that her favorite spot on campus is the Kennesaw Campus Green. She enjoys seeing students interact and have fun together in the open space. She has a daughter in eighth grade that she describes as her greatest joy. Schwaig also said she is an avid walker as a hobby.
More information about Dr. Schwaig can be found on the website for the Office of the President.
