Welcome back to Shenandoah’s Friday Faculty Spotlight, where we all get to know our faculty better. This week, the spotlight is on Director for Transformative Teaching & Learning (TTL) and Professor of Curriculum & Instruction Karrin Lukacs, Ph.D.

As TTL director, Dr. Lukacs is the educators’ educator. Additionally, she’s received the university’s Exemplary Teaching Award and been named an Apple Distinguished Educator, a Google Certified Innovator & Trainer and a Kappa Delta Pi Master Teacher of Honor. Now, it’s time to gain some insight into the person who has earned all those accolades and maybe learn a few fun facts, too!

When did you join Shenandoah, and what appealed to you about the university?

I started at Shenandoah in the fall of 2011. As a teacher educator, I loved the emphasis on teaching and the opportunities I would have to make meaningful relationships with students. 

What inspired you to become an educator? 

Actually, I never planned on being a professor! In fact, I downright avoided it since I grew up in an academic household; my parents both taught at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. I thought I’d retire after teaching elementary school for 20 years or so, but when I had my daughter, Matilda (who is now 21 and a college senior), I realized I needed a career that allowed for more flexibility. So, I went back to school, earned my doctorate, and the rest – as they say – is history. 

What do you do in your role as the director of Transformative Teaching & Learning? 

In a nutshell: I work with a team of amazing people, all of whom are dedicated to helping instructors grow in the areas of teaching, scholarship, and service in ways that transform their students’ lives.

What are your areas of research and why have you decided to study them? 

I have been and always will be interested in change – how it happens, who best leads it, etc. For my dissertation, I created a scale designed to determine which K-12 teachers were most likely to pursue school reform. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how creativity and play can enhance and inform faculty development.

Your nominator said that you’re a supportive leader, kind, generous with your knowledge and interested in the gifts of others. That’s quite a combination! How have your leadership and teaching styles evolved over the years? 

What a lovely thing for someone to say! When I first came to Shenandoah, I never imagined myself in a leadership position, so I can honestly say that any skills I have are ones that have been graciously shared with/taught to me by the many fantastic colleagues and mentors I have had here. 

What keeps you engaged as an educator? 

Easy – it’s never the same day twice. I get paid to be creative and curious, which is (part of) what makes being director of TTL my dream job!

How do you spend your free time? 

I love reading, thrift shopping, and trying to get to Queen Bee status on Spelling Bee (a puzzle from the NYT).

What’s a little-known fact about you?

My first car was a 1976 baby blue Ford Torino. (Or, alternatively, I know all of the words to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”)

If there’s a faculty member you feel the university community needs to get to know better, just fill out the Friday Faculty Spotlight submission form. If you have any questions, please contact omc@su.edu

Photo note from Karrin: Visiting Stonehenge has always been a dream of mine, and I was able to fulfill it while being a (small) part of Staci Strobl’s Global Challenges Teaching Award  from the US-UK Fulbright Commission in collaboration with the American Council on Education (ACE). Another example of how I have been SO fortunate to have SO many amazing opportunities at Shenandoah!