Laura Kuizin

My journey into higher education was unexpected. I started as a mental health therapist in California, working in chemical dependency treatment, juvenile hall, and various nonprofit organizations focused on healthcare. When we moved from California, my license didn't transfer, which forced me to expand my search criteria. I applied for a position with the McNair Achievement Program at Arkansas State University, and during the interview, they immediately pointed out that I had no background in higher education. I highlighted the transferable skills I had and how many aspects of the job overlapped with my therapeutic background, and I was hired. I realized I absolutely love higher education. This transition motivated me to go back to school and continue my education. Throughout my career in higher education since 2009, I've done pretty much everything you can name - academic advising, program development, assessments, enrollment, curriculum design and development. I've worked in both student affairs and academic affairs, and I've taught courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels in psychology and interdisciplinary studies. I've launched three programs specifically. In my current role with the Master of Applied Professional Studies program, which I was hired to develop in 2022 and launched in 2023, I work on creating a rigorous interdisciplinary degree program with a strong workforce preparation component. I oversee all graduate courses, supervise a teaching assistant professor and seven adjunct instructors, and manage a certificate program for students who aren't ready for the full 30-credit master's. I've been working extensively on how AI is impacting the student experience and workforce preparation, and I designed and launched the 'AI in the Workplace' course this spring, which received exceptional feedback from students. My role involves many different aspects, which makes it challenging but also exciting.