Kathryn Maitoza

Administrative Assistant in Admissions

Nominated by: Lilia Tiemann

Nomination: Kathryn helps everyone in the office with technology. She is so very patient and friendly and never seems to mind being asked questions (sometimes more than once). She is happy to mentor and see her colleagues succeed. She is such an asset to our office. Please accept and share this well deserved nomination.

What are your proudest accomplishments? I am proud of the leadership and technical skills I have developed during the pandemic. When Union shifted gears in March 2020 to remote work just ahead of Admissions’ heaviest event-hosting month of the year, we all had to adapt. I spent a lot of time learning about running virtual events and developing best practices to address the new needs that arose in the shift to virtual event planning. I found myself becoming an important resource for my team and I am proud of the quality and quantity of events we have successfully and collaboratively executed, positively influencing enrollment.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about living authentically as my own act of resistance against the patriarchy. I spent plenty of years shrinking and making myself sick worried about measuring up to others’ expectations, and I’m no longer interested in living life that way. This is part of the reason why I have developed such a love for solo hiking and the outdoors over the past handful of years. In nature, I feel free and powerful. I have an IG dedicated to my adventures that brings me a lot joy and has connected me with others who share my passion: @kathyhikes

Who do you look up to? I am constantly in awe of Union students! I admire the extent to which you get involved not only in academic and campus life, but the interest you take in each others’ lives and your commitment to uplifting one another. You give me hope for the future.

What does being a woman at Union mean to you? I am a cisgender, white, and arguably, invisibly queer, woman. I have a complicated relationship with gender norms. With all that being said, I hold a lot of privilege and I try to use that influence in a positive and meaningful way in my everyday interactions at Union. There is no one way to be a woman at Union, and I think that’s our superpower!