Kayla Reed Fitzke, assistant professor in couple and family therapy at the University of Iowa College of
Education, was honored with the James N. Murray Award from the Office of the Dean of Students.
The James N. Murray Award was established by the Beta Iota Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa in 1985 in honor of the late James N. Murray, UI professor and past chair of the Department of Political Science.
The Murray Award honors an untenured faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding rapport with students and who creates an exemplary classroom atmosphere.
“Dr. Fitzke centers her role around the needs of her students. By keeping students at the center of her teaching and advising she is able to meet them where they are and encourage them on their journey of the future paths,” says couple and family therapy doctoral student, Mary Ball.
In addition to her role in couple and family therapy, Fitzke is also an affiliated faculty member with the Scanlan Center for School Mental Health, a supervisor in the LGBTQ+ Counseling Clinic, and is an active member of four professional organizations.
“I am extremely humbled to have been nominated by my students for the James N. Murray Faculty Award. My students are one of the top reasons I love my job,” says Fitzke. “Getting to hear about their positive experiences in class with me and knowing that I was able to make the tiniest of differences in their lives is enough to make me feel like a winner.”
Read a related Iowa Now story to learn about all the honorees.