Kathryn Sowinski

Kathryn Sowinski is an art and design education doctoral student from Milwaukee, WI

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

High School: Pius XI Catholic High School

Year: Expected graduation: 2026

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
I have always loved art. In my first grade “All About Me” poster, I declared that I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I’ve always been drawn to both learning and teaching, often playing “school” with my younger sisters and doing arts and crafts with children I babysat. As an art educator, I get to combine these passions, sharing my love of art while helping others discover their own creative potential.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am a Ph.D. student in art and design education with 12 years of experience as an elementary and middle school art teacher. Mentoring student teachers and teaching art education courses as an adjunct faculty member inspired me to pursue a Ph.D., allowing me to make a broader impact on the field and further explore the ways art education shapes both teachers and students.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I greatly value the diverse community of students and scholars at NIU. In graduate school, I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with students from various departments, including kinesiology and educational testing and measurement, all of whom have broadened my knowledge and enriched my learning experience.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
The faculty at NIU actively foster student connections through in-class activities, small group work and collaborative projects. In the art education program, faculty go above and beyond by organizing community-building events like student gatherings and field trips. I’ve developed a particularly strong bond with my fellow doctoral students in art education. After taking classes together, we collaborated on conference proposals, all of which were accepted for presentation at the Illinois Art Education Association’s annual conference!

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am excited to work with the student chapter of the National Art Education Association this year. The chapter hosts a juried art exhibition, volunteers at STEM Fest and engages in various community-building activities.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
University Libraries has been an incredible resource! The staff are always ready to help track down articles for my research and even visit classes to teach research skills. I also appreciate the convenience of being able to pick up books from various locations. One of my classmates in the Rockford area benefits from having books delivered there, while I often use the Music Library for its convenient location.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
The art education faculty at NIU are exceptional. Dr. Boughton brings a wealth of knowledge to the field, making it engaging with his personal stories and anecdotes. Dr. Freedman has significantly strengthened my ability to theorize and construct compelling arguments. Dr. Staikidis has greatly improved my writing skills while consistently challenging me to prioritize ethics in research. Dr. Gross has been an inspiring role model as I develop my teaching practice with undergraduates.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
Attending class regularly helps me connect with and learn from my classmates and professors.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
I love Jack Arends Hall, aka the art building. There is always something new to see in the hallways and gallery!

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
I would advise students to look closely at the faculty they will be working with, including their research interests, service to the field, ability to mentor students and connections with other scholars.

Why is a college education important to you?
My college education, particularly my graduate studies, have deepened my understanding and appreciation of the world I live in and my place in it.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I use the strategy of dividing big projects into smaller, more manageable tasks and listing those tasks on a spreadsheet. I include family responsibilities, such as volunteering with my twin daughters' Girl Scout troop and meal planning.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I skim through NIU's daily emails and follow the School of Art and Design on Instagram and Facebook to stay informed about events and services.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I like to jog to both clear my mind and allow ideas to formulate. I also like to play cards and board games with my family and do art projects with my daughters.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I enjoy playing cards and board games with my family, cooking plant-based meals and doing art projects with my daughters. We were recently gifted a vintage sewing machine from our local "Buy Nothing" group, and we are having fun sewing bean bags, stuffed animals and scrunchies.