Senior Affiliate Faculty, Department of Information Sciences & Technologies (IST)

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (616) 331-3504
Office: MAK C-2-313

As a Senior Affiliate Faculty member, Cheryl Kautz is known for her student-centered approach to teaching and her commitment to accessibility and inclusive learning. She designs courses that empower students of all backgrounds to grow, succeed, and thrive in today’s tech-driven world. Her current research interests include inclusive pedagogy in computing education, accessible course design, and the development of scalable instructional practices that foster deep, engaged learning. 

Professor Kautz's dedication to excellence has been recognized with the Exemplary Course Award on six occasions, a first-place award for the Most Inclusive Classroom in the United States, and the Excellence in Education Award—a testament to her skill in developing engaging, effective, and inclusive online, hybrid, and in-person learning experiences. 

Whether introducing students to their first lines of code or teaching them how to build fully responsive websites using only a plain text editor, Professor Kautz's mission is to spark curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning. 

Outside the classroom, Professor Kautz brings the same adventurous spirit to her personal life. She is a certified SCUBA diver and avid traveler who explores underwater landscapes around the world. At home, she enjoys slalom skiing and paddleboarding on Lake Placid and plays pickleball at least twice a week.