Katie Treadwell named assistant vice provost in Student Affairs

LAWRENCE – Katie Treadwell has worked at the University of Kansas for nine years and has helped many students navigate difficult situations. Now, Treadwell has moved into a larger role as an assistant vice provost in Student Affairs with a focus on student life efforts. She transitioned to the position Dec. 27.

“Katie is a great addition to our Student Affairs leadership team,” said Tammara Durham, vice provost for Student Affairs. “She is an expert in dealing with crises and has a great deal of experience being an advocate for our students, making her uniquely qualified for this role.”

In her new role, Treadwell serves as a senior member on the Student Affairs leadership team and provides overall leadership and direction for the Sexual Assault Prevention & Education Center, Sorority and Fraternity Life, Student Conduct and Community Standards, and Student Involvement & Leadership Center.

Additionally, Treadwell coordinates the KU Parent Association efforts and the campus engagement protocol.

“Serving as assistant vice provost for Student Affairs is an incredible honor," Treadwell said. "I am eager to continue making learning possible by supporting the leaders in Student Affairs and seeking support, resources and opportunities to enhance our students’ academic and co-curricular experience."

Treadwell has worked with countless KU students to maintain the community standards of the university. Her expertise in dealing with crises is evident in her doctoral research, which focuses on learning through tragedy and investigates how universities respond to worst-case scenario situations. It includes in-depth investigations of intentional violence, terrorism, natural disasters and accidents that forever change a community. Her work has appeared in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Encyclopedia of Strategic Leadership and Management, Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, About Campus and other higher education publications.

“This is incredibly difficult work,” Treadwell said. “It also highlights the deep resilience people bring to their work every day.”

Treadwell co-wrote the book “Crisis, Compassion and Resiliency in Student Affairs” with Marijo Russell O’Grady.

Treadwell came to KU in 2013 as associate director for first-year experience before moving to lead Student Conduct and Community Standards as its director in 2019. Treadwell will temporarily remain as the director of Student Conduct and Community Standards (SCCS) until a national search for the new director is completed in the spring.

“When I came to KU nine years ago, I never dreamed I’d fall in love with the KU community in the way I have,” Treadwell said. “I’ve built incredible professional and personal relationships.”

Treadwell has over 15 years of experience in higher education administration, including significant roles in crisis response, residential life, sexual assault prevention, suicide prevention and mental health outreach. Her efforts in Student Conduct and Community Standards have provided opportunities for her to engage with students who took part in nonacademic misconduct or who had been harmed by someone in the KU community.

That sort of intimate work is not something Treadwell takes lightly, noting that it’s an honor being with someone who is “navigating an incredibly difficult experience.”

“I approach these encounters with compassionate leadership, focusing on the people involved before the details of the situation, and the ability to help them develop a path forward,” Treadwell said. “I’ll bring these same skills to my work as assistant vice provost. My focus is ensuring staff has the resources and support they need to create dynamic programs for our students and working across the university to reduce barriers to students learning and engagement with the KU experience.”

Treadwell received her bachelor of arts and master’s degree from Baylor University and her doctor of education degree from Teacher College, Columbia University.