Amanda Kraus, Ph. D.
Dr. Amanda Kraus currently serves as the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and ADA/504 Compliance Officer at the University of Arizona, where she has worked for over twenty years. Dr. Kraus serves as the university's senior leader for extracurricular student experiences and oversees departments responsible for student safety, disability access, health, wellness, career development, involvement, and housing.
Dr. Kraus is also Associate Professor of Practice in Higher Education where she has instructed courses on student services, student development, and disability in higher education. Her research has focused on universal design in student services, student veterans, and disability dynamics in higher education.
Prior to her current appointment, Dr. Kraus was Assistant Vice President for Campus Life and Executive Director of the Disability Resource Center. Considered an international model of progressive service delivery, it is one of the largest in the nation, uniquely positioned to address campus access systemically. Dr. Kraus is Immediate Past President for the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) and previously chaired its committee on diversity and inclusion.
Dr. Kraus has had the privilege of working with institutions and organizations such as Singapore Management University, Duke, Wake Forest, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) to promote inclusion and equity in higher education. Dr. Kraus was invited to join two delegations convened by the US Department of State to engage in dialogue on disability access in education and employment in Beijing, China and again in Washington, D.C. and has consulted internationally on universal design at Temasek Polytechnic University in Singapore and United States International University of Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.
Outside of work, Dr. Kraus plays wheelchair tennis and served on the Board of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Southwest Section for many years to increase the visibility of wheelchair tennis. Currently, she serves on the Board of Visit Tucson to promote inclusive tourism and was appointed to Southwest Airlines’ inaugural Customer Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Dr. Kraus earned her M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Arizona in Higher Education, and her B.A. in Social History at Carnegie Mellon University.
What do you love most about your work at U of A?
I love our dynamic and vibrant campus. There is always something happening!
What is your favorite thing about Tucson?
Tucson has great weather and so many delicious, diverse food options.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
I love the Women's Plaza of Honor.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy trying new restaurants, reading, and playing tennis.
Share one piece of advice for current or prospective U of A students.
My advice is to try whatever interests you! College is a time to discover what you love and what you're good at. If you have an interest, U of A is the place to explore it.