Keith T. Kowalka serves as the Executive Director of the University Center and Associated Facilities. Prior to his work with the University of Houston, he held positions at Eastern Michigan University, Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and the University of Toledo.
In his role, Keith functions as the senior administrator for the leadership, management, operations and oversight of the facilities, operations, services and programs for the University Center (UC) and Associated Facilities (which include the University Center, the Child Care Center, the UC Satellite, the Student Program Board and the Cat's Back Weeks of Welcome initiative). Specifically, Keith provides innovative leadership and direction in areas of research, development, contracting, marketing and operations for the UC and Associated Facilities; develops and maintains a high degree of confidence and trust with the University Center Policy Board (UCPB), the Child Care Center Advisory Board (CCCAB), the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Student Fees Advisory Committee (SFAC); in conjunction with the UCPB, CCCAB, SGA and other appropriate governing entities, develops and facilitates approval of all fee structures, facility renovation plans, and policies and procedures related to the delivery of programs and services; and collaborates with colleagues in the Divisions of Student Affairs, Administration and Finance and Academic Affairs to provide opportunities for students to expand their involvement in leadership, social, cultural and leisure activities and create a greater sense of community.
What Keith most likes about working at the University of Houston, and in particular the UC and Associated Facilities, is the depth and breadth of diversity as he points out that "when UH talks about diversity it is about differences in color, ability, religion, socioeconomic background, and most importantly thought while as a community we are respectful of each person's own views and backgrounds."
Keith has a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling with a specialization in College Student Personnel Administration from Eastern Michigan University. In addition he holds two Bachelors degrees from the University of Toledo: one with a major in Communication and a minor in Marketing; the other with a major in Political Science and a minor in Management. He is also very active with the Association of College Unions International (ACUI), currently serving as a member of the Regional Leadership Team for Region 12 (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mexico and Texas), as a member of the 2009 ACUI Annual Conference Program Team, and as a member of the ACUI Education and Research Fund Program Team. In his free time Keith enjoys sports, theatre, reading, movies, traveling and loves music (everything from pop, dance and Broadway to rock and roll and country). |
