Kathleen A. MacKay

Kathy MacKay is currently the Dean of Students at Elmhurst College near Chicago. She has served higher education and the Student Affairs profession for 25 years and has positively influenced the lives of students on seven different campuses. Throughout her career, her roles as administrator, teacher, author, workshop presenter, and consultant have elicited the respect of colleagues across the nation. Kathy’s peers describe her as inspirational, student-focused and as a pioneer in the field of student affairs. Her mentees refer to her as a pillar of strength, a difference-maker in the lives of students and as a constant source of strength and courage.

ACPA has benefited from Kathy’s leadership as a convention planner for several national conventions, as an Executive Council member and as President of the Iowa state division. Kathy’s contributions to ACPA and to our profession are aptly described by a colleague through these words: “I have met no one more dedicated to student learning”; and by a mentee: “I always leave Kathy having learned something from her.” We are privileged to recognize Kathy MacKay as a 2005 Diamond Honoree.