About the Kitto Grad Student Hub
The Kitto Graduate Student Hub opened in Fall 2023 in a newly renovated space inside Western Libraries, generously funded by former Dean of the Graduate School Kathleen Kitto and spouse Dennis Waller. The Hub is named for Kathy's mother, Elizabeth Kitto.
During her time as dean, Kathy saw the need for graduate students to have access to a space of their own and services tailored to their distinct needs and life stage. The Hub builds on this vision as a collaboration between the Graduate School and Western Libraries providing space, services, community, and connection to campus resources for Western's graduate students.
Vision and Goals Statement
The Kitto Graduate Student Hub cultivates a community of support for Western Washington University’s graduate students. Forwarding the university's vision that individuals are prepared and inspired “to explore widely, think critically, communicate clearly, and connect ideas creatively to address our most challenging needs, problems, and questions,” the Kitto Graduate Student Hub is committed to broadening and strengthening Western’s graduate student experience by:
- Fostering a sense of community and belonging that recognizes, welcomes, and celebrates the diversity of graduate students at Western.
- Increasing visibility of university and community resources focused on access, equity, academic excellence, and professional/career development.
- Providing access to a community of peer advisors focused on wellbeing, connection, and navigating university-wide supports.
- Offering access to a community of co-inquirers with expertise in an array of academic literacies and disciplines.
- Facilitating a central and flexible physical space for independent and collaborative endeavors that support student agency.