Andi Witczak
Director, Center for Service Learning
Educated in Graphic Design, Andi received both a BFA (1985) and a MFA (1989) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has taught at the University of South Carolina, Eastern Michigan University, University of Missouri at Columbia, and is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Design at the University of Kansas. Student work produced in her courses has been published in international and national publications such as the Graphis New Talent Annual, HOW Magazine, and CMYK Magazine. She teaches all levels within the curriculum and is the principal instructor for the Senior Graphic Design Studio (Visual Identity Design and Branding Strategy). She is known for her innovations in teaching brand identity design, which include an emphasis on writing organizational narratives or "myths," a focused methodology and the importance of visual storytelling.
Andi has worked as a Design Studio Manager in the Greetings Studio at Hallmark (Kansas City), while on leave from the University of Kansas, where she managed 22 designers on two Product Creation Teams. She also worked as Senior Graphic Designer for the Christie Healthcare Companies (Champaign, IL) and was responsible for design and implementation of a new corporate visual identification program. She has worked in independent practice since 1989 and has designed a wide range of projects including visual identity, print collateral and signage/wayfinding. Clients have included HOK Sports Facilities Group, Ellerbe Becket Architects, Beckett and Raeder Landscape Architects and the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. She has lectured on visual identity systems, design strategy, design management and the history of design for organizations such as the U.S. Army Public Affairs Officers and the Graphic Design Advisory Program of Design Michigan. Her current research interest is the use of narrative, storytelling and archetypes in brand identity design.
Email: awitczak@ku.edu
Phone: 785-864-0965
Amanda Schwegler
Assistant Director, Center for Service Learning
Amanda comes to the Center for Service Learning with a background in psychology and visual communications. Her first undergraduate stint, served at Northwestern University and culminating in a B.A. in Psychology, was immediately succeeded by a move to Washington D.C. There, she spent several years working with nonprofit conservation organizations, including American Rivers and The World Conservation Union. She then returned to her home state of Kansas—where she finally became a Jayhawk like the rest of her family—and received a B.F.A. in Visual Communications with a focus on graphic design. Staying at the university after graduation, she took a position as the graphic designer and creative coordinator at KU's Spencer Museum of Art. Two years later, she joined the staff of the Center for Service Learning, eager to direct her creativity and experience with nonprofits into mutually beneficial relationships between the university and community.
During her years in Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Lawrence, Amanda has been involved in many volunteer experiences, from wildlife surveys and homeless shelter gardening programs to crisis line counseling and teaching art in an orphanage abroad. She has also been involved in service-learning from many perspectives—as a student in service-learning courses, as an instructor of service-learning, and as the liaison representing a nonprofit in a service-learning partnership. Amanda brings her experiences from all these aspects of service-learning, plus her extensive personal history of volunteering, to her position at the Center.
Email: aschwegs@ku.edu
Phone: 785-864-0960
Linda Dixon
Program Assistant for Engaged Learning, Center for Service Learning
Linda is a native of a southern Missouri, graduating high school from her hometown of Willow Springs (Go Bears!). She received a B.S. in Education from Missouri State University (again ... Go Bears!) in Springfield, Missouri and a M.S. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!).
Linda began her career in higher education as an academic advisor in the University Advising Center. She transitioned to the Learning Communities office and is now continuing work in engaged learning at the Center for Service Learning. Prior to her career in higher education, she worked in public schools as a band director and teaching physical education.
Email: ldixon@ku.edu
Phone: 785-864-0963
Michael Knight
AmeriCorps*VISTA Member
Hello all! My name is Michael Knight and I am one of two AmeriCorps Vistas (Volunteer in Service to America) in the Center for Service Learning this year. I’m a proud graduate of KCK public schools and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. I still reside in KCK with my lovely wife, Angela, who plans to complete her degree in education next year. In my spare time I enjoy reading, traveling and spending time with family. Anything else you want to know send me an email. GO HAWKS!!
Email: mknight@ku.edu
Phone: 785-864-0964
Michael Chavez
AmeriCorps*VISTA Member
Michael Chavez, a Topeka native, comes to the center as one of the AmeriCorps*VISTAs (Volunteer in Service to America). He recently graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelors in Communication Studies and a minor concentration in Leadership Studies. As an undergraduate, Michael was a Peer Advisor for the University Advising Center and participated in many events and organizations on campus such as the Colors of KU Leadership Diversity Retreat, the LeaderShape Institute, Blue Prints Leadership Conference, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, and the first annual Dance Marathon. He has been a part of the Kansas Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Organization helping high school sophomores realize their leadership potential and the importance of service to their communities. Michael currently is a co-facilitator of the first Topeka Latino Empowerment and Development Program that educates Latino high school students about the importance of college, develops leadership skills, and realizes the significance of service in the Latino community.
Email: chavez77@ku.edu
Phone: 785-864-0964
