Alumna Dr. Kathleen (Kathy) Sanz accepted an honorary Doctor of the Arts from USF鈥檚 College of Design, Art & Performance, and delivered remarks at the college鈥檚 celebration. She earned her B.A. and M.A. in music education from the 最新天美传媒 and her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her career spans from classroom teaching to leading global initiatives as President of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Through her leadership, Florida has been positioned as a national leader in music education.
Dr. Kathleen Sanz
Her unwavering commitment to equitable access to arts education defined her 37 years in Pasco County Schools. Beginning as an elementary school teacher and progressing to an arts administrator role supervising countywide music instruction, she influenced hundreds of teachers and thousands of K-12 students. She considered arts education to be fundamental to student identity, belonging, and lifelong success.
As a tireless advocate for students, Sanz is recognized by her peers as someone who helped define the profession鈥檚 direction by setting agendas, guiding national standards, and stabilizing organizations through periods of change.
She held the highest leadership roles in music education, including President of the Florida Elementary Music Educators Association, the Florida Music Supervision Association, the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), the Southern Division of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and NAfME at the national level.
From 2011 until her retirement, she served as President and CEO of the June M. Hinckley Center for Fine Arts Education and Executive Director of FMEA and the Florida School Music Association, while continuing national advocacy work through numerous arts and education organizations.
Dr. Sanz was nominated by multiple supporters, including Dr. David Williams, Professor and Director of the college鈥檚 School of Music, who each highlighted her transformational leadership at national and global levels, her advocacy for arts education, and her commitment to mentoring those who build others' capacity.
Robert Stackhouse, Blue 5606, 2006. Off-set lithograph. 24-1/2" x 31-3/4"
We extend a warm welcome back to USF and congratulate Dr. Sanz, our distinguished alumni speaker and Honorary Doctor of Arts, for her amazing contributions to the field of music!
Sanz shared that she skipped her University of Colorado, Boulder graduation to celebrate with her teenagers (at the time) in Estes Park! Now she鈥檚 excited about this phenomenal opportunity to be honored by her alma mater, USF.
In recognition of the occasion, the college gifted Dr. Sanz a Robert Stackhouse off-set lithograph, Blue 5606 (2006). Stackhouse is a nationally and internationally known artist and a member of the first graduating class of USF's Art Department.