Alumnus named director of minority affairs

Catherine Kironde knows what it's like to be the new kid in town.

"I was an international student working two jobs, and I wasn't involved my first year at UMKC. It was miserable," said Kironde, who came to Kansas City from Kenya to study.

Kironde is now very involved in the campus. She has been chosen to act as Director of Minority Student Affairs beginning fall semester 2005.

The opening of the position prompted a nationwide search for a new director. The position was advertised in various chronicles of higher education, and Kironde was one of a good number of applicants.

"It hadn't been an open search for a long time," she said.

Kironde completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, receiving a Masters MPA with a not-for-profit emphasis. After graduating, Kironde worked for not-for-profits in the area but managed to stay connected to her alma mater.

"Even when I wasn't working here I came back to volunteer on projects. I've always been involved with the campus in one way or another," she said.

When an opportunity opened up in Minority Student Affairs, Kironde applied immediately.

As the new director of Minority Student Affairs, Kironde plans to improve upon what is already in place as well as implement new programs and activities.

"We're going to build on some of our successes, events like the Freedom Ride to Georgia, the Comedy Series, and the Festival de Culturas," said Kironde. "We also advise about 10 minority student organizations such as TAASU and ALAS, and we want to expand on these organizations as well ... this is the way we reach students, through these organizations."

Another aspect of minority student life that Kironde plans to address is students taking advantage of resources such as the Writing Center and tutoring.

"We want to make sure students have the resources they need, and we want them to connect with student organizations on campus."

Kironde also wants to focus on making more events accessible to everyone on campus.

"We'd really like to bring the faculty and students together, because oftentimes there are events that are more interesting to the staff and then there are ones more interesting to the students. We'd really like to breach those communities."

One way Kironde plans to get both faculty and students interested is through the African-American History and Culture House (AAHCH) at 5245 Rockhill Rd., which is the headquarters for Minority Student Affairs and houses space for art and cultural exhibits.

"A big thing will be the gallery, making it so we have art events and bring in speakers," said Kironde, noting that the AAHCH's mission "is to enhance and enrich the general understanding of and participation in African American intellectual culture."

Kironde pointed out the house's name is not meant to exclude.

"Even though it says it's the African-American house, it's open to anyone. I would love to see this place just full of students," she said.

"It's full of new furniture, and we're still working on enhancing it and making it more welcoming and attractive so that students say, 'That's a really cool place we can hang out.'"

Kironde said she looks forward to working for the interests of all students, and plans to continue working with the Student Life Office to generate interest in minority affairs.

With her cultural background and involvement with the campus, she's certainly fit for the job.

"We want students to not feel marginalized. We want to grow student leaders and encourage them to get involved," Kironde said.

nanheier@unews.com