Having been a dynamic classroom presence and leader of the Business Program for 24 years, Prof Fitzsimmons retired from active teaching in 2022.听 She was awarded the title of Professor Emerita by the Board upon retirement and continues to be an active member of the AUR Community..听 In her current part-time role as Alumni Liaison, Kathleen leads efforts to keep AUR Alumni connected to one another and to AUR, managing the three AURAlumni social media groups and supporting initiatives such as the organization of Reunion events and the creation of local chapters. In addition, she created the Alumni Lecture Series, now going into its 5th听edition.听 These prestigious events bring accomplished Alumni back to share their experience and life lessons with current students. 听
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Kathleen is also active in the Girl Scout Movement, having served in a variety of high-profile volunteers roles over the last 25 years.听 Most recently, she was elected to the Council of Advisors of USA Girl Scouts Overseas, as Governance Officer.听 In addition, she is putting her organizational, mentoring and team-building skills to work as Coordinator of the USAGSO Delegation to the GSUSA National Council.
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The Fitzsimmons Scholarship for Women in Leadership
Professor Fitzsimmons is universally celebrated for her focus on student success, which never stopped at the classroom door but extended through the wealth of extra-curricular and social activities she instigated to provide opportunities for development and networking.听
In Professor Fitzsimmons's own words, 鈥淢y happiest AUR memories are traveling with students on the Business Field Trips and working with the Business Club. Then, of course, there's staying connected with hundreds of AUR alums and sharing news about their promotions, weddings, vacations, babies, and accomplishments on the Alumni FB page.鈥�
Professor Fitzsimmons epitomizes AUR鈥檚 core values of teamwork & leadership; she has been a role model and inspiration throughout her time in the classroom. To honor her enormous and enduring contribution to AUR, and to the impact she has had on the students she came into contact with, in the summer of 2021, the university (with Professor Fitzsimmons' enthusiastic support) launched a campaign to establish The Fitzsimmons Scholarship for Women in Leadership.