Spotlight
Amanda Kraus
Coordinator for Graduate and International Student Housing, Residence Life
Background & Education
With two years experience as a Graduate Assistant Hall Director at Coronado Hall and two years as full-time Hall Director at Colonia de la Paz Hall, Amanda was attracted by the opportunity to shape the multicultural, international community of graduate and professional students at La Aldea when the University and Residence Life began operating the apartment complex in 2005. Amanda’s vision and leadership has helped create programs and policies for this more independent student community. Amanda does understand the needs of graduate students—having been one for the past seven years. Amanda earned her Masters Degree in Higher Education and will complete her Ph.D. in May 2008 at The University of Arizona.
Amanda was raised in Rockland County, New York, and from the early age of six had plans to become a vocal performer—and in particular, a jazz vocalist. This led her to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where she had a major in Social History and two minors in Music at their Conservatory. She performed in the University’s Jazz Choir for four years. While her love for music continues today, her career plans have shifted under the positive influence of several Student Affairs mentors. Amanda was an RA for two years and an Undergraduate Hall Director at Carnegie Mellon. Through the Carnegie Mellon Fifth Year Scholars Program, Amanda was awarded an additional year of study in which she had the opportunity to develop an interdisciplinary training module for students and staff on sensitivity to disability issues. This experience reshaped her interest in social justice issues.
Amanda’s Awards
Recently awarded the 2006-07 Peter W. Likins Inclusive Excellence Award, Amanda was honored for her outstanding commitment to issues of diversity and social justice. She is a member of the UA Diversity Coalition, and Co-Chair of the President’s Advisory Council on Disability. She is involved in the Tucson community providing training and workshops such as “Journey to a Hate-Free Millennium” through the YWCA. Amanda has served for several years as the Co-Chair of the Residence Life elMundo Diversity Initiatives program that was also a recipient of the Inclusive Excellence Award.
Amanda has made presentations at national professional organizations including NASPA, ACPA, and she received the AIMHO (Association of Inter-Mountain Housing Officers) Commitment to Diversity Award in 2006.
More about Amanda
Amanda’s key goals right now are finishing her Ph.D. and managing a full house at La Aldea. Her dissertation is titled “Social and political influences on identity development: disabled students’ self concepts”. However, Amanda is willing to pursue her musical passions too—as she headed off to see the Broadway musical, Avenue Q…for the third time!
