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KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 14, 2017

The Coles College of Business lost one of its most powerful voices this week with the passing of Dr. Kathryn Epps, Associate Dean and Director of the School of Accountancy. Whether for her accounting expertise, her dedication to student success, or her passion for minority empowerment, Kathryn鈥檚 loss will be felt across the University.

Kathryn joined Kennesaw State University in 2004 as an assistant professor of accounting. She quickly made a name for herself and, in 2006, received the Coles College of Business鈥檚 Distinguished Teaching Award. Kathryn became the School of Accountancy鈥檚 Director in 2009 before earning the title of Associate Dean of Coles College five years later.

鈥淜athryn made such an incredible impact at KSU and beyond in a very short period of time,鈥� said Dr. Kathy Schwaig, Dean of Coles College. 鈥淲hen she assumed the SOA director role, she immediately engaged in the life of not only the SOA, but also of the college and KSU, leading many key strategic initiatives across the University.鈥�

As the School of Accountancy鈥檚 Director, Kathryn worked tirelessly to prepare students for successful futures in accounting.

鈥淔or Kathryn it was about more than just helping students earn degrees. It was about creating qualified accounting professionals,鈥� said Dr. Richard Clune, current Acting Director of the School of Accountancy who served alongside Kathryn as Associate Director for three years. 鈥淪he loved the School of Accountancy. That shined through in everything she did.鈥�

One of Kathryn鈥檚 major accomplishments was the expansion of Kennesaw State鈥檚 Master of Accounting degree from a part-time program into a full-time cohort. The change allowed students to complete the program in just one year with the skills necessary to thrive in real-world accounting jobs.

While Kathryn was dedicated to helping all students succeed, she was especially passionate about offering guidance to underrepresented minorities. She supported programs at Kennesaw State and on the national level to encourage women and minorities to pursue careers in accounting. In 2010 she published a report on curriculum and scholarship diversity in Academy of Educational Leadership Journal, and, in 2013, she presented at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants Women鈥檚 Global Leadership Summit.

Kathryn earned several awards during her career with Kennesaw State, including the Gary Roberts Faculty Advisor of the Year Award and the National Association of Black Accountants Student Chapter of the Year Award, which she received twice. Her work has been published in multiple journals such as Auditing: A Journal of Practice and Theory, Research in Accounting Regulation, and The CPA Journal.

She was also Vice-Chair of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business鈥檚 Accounting Accreditation Committee and served as Secretary/Treasurer of the American Accounting Association鈥檚 Accounting Program Leadership Group.

鈥淭he fact that Kathryn was engaged at so many levels inside and outside the University gave her a perspective and insight that few people have,鈥� Schwaig said. 鈥淚 sought Kathryn鈥檚 guidance and advice on many topics and was never disappointed.鈥�

With all of her achievements, Kathryn鈥檚 most important career goal was the continued success of her students in the School of Accountancy.

鈥淪he loved our KSU accounting students and wanted them to be successful not only academically, but also in life,鈥� Schwaig said. 鈥淪tudents were always front and center for her.鈥�

Schwaig described Kathryn as a natural leader who truly saw the value in her work as an educator.

鈥淪he wanted to make our world a better, more equitable place and she knew that education was a great platform from which to do so.  She will always be a part of us.鈥�

Kathryn earned a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University before earning her Master of Professional Accountancy and her Ph.D. in Business Administration from Georgia State University. She leaves behind her husband Adrian and her three children, Kathryn, Malik, and Summer.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 色色啦. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.