Joyce Kaser
May 27, 1939 ~ July 25, 2021 (age 82)
Obituary
Joyce Kaser was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, art collector, leader in many arenas; well-respected educator, author, and program evaluation expert especially for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs; supreme professional, and devoted, loyal friend to many. She passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, her home state for more than 25 years.
Dr. Kaser served as the leader on many projects and was an expert on evaluation, systems change, professional development, and equity. One of her major accomplishments was the development of numerous training materials and workshops for schools, colleges, and universities to implement Title IX in the years following its passage in 1972. Her numerous clients included WestEd, National Science Foundation, National Assessment of Educational Progress, National Urban League, District of Columbia Public Schools, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, National Center for Improving Science Education, Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh, New Mexico Public Education Department, and the Federal Government's Senior Executive Service. For 15 years, Dr. Kaser conducted training to prepare others to become qualified users of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator.
Dr. Kaser served as the Director of The NETWORK's Washington, DC office, a research and development organization; Associate Director and then Director of the Mid-Atlantic Center for Sex Equity, a federally-funded desegregation assistance center; Director, Institute for Vocational Equity designed to open higher paying vocations to women; co-founder, Family Building Associates, Inc., providing workshops, information, and counseling for families seeking to adopt and/or confronting issues related to adopted children. She authored many publications, including as senior author on Leading Every Day, 3rd edition (2013).
Dr. Kaser felt an intimate connection with art and collected 60 original works of Adam and Eve, displayed at the National Hispanic Cultural Center's exhibit "Southwest of Eden," in Albuquerque. She and Jim Hill created magic from rocks at a lapidary studio, Meltdown; producing cabochons and conducting classes to teach others to produce beautiful stones and jewelry.
She was grateful for living at a key time in history. She saw society go from a party telephone line to an iPhone, from a model T to a driverless car, from a handwritten letter to e¬mail, Facebook, and Twitter. What she was most proud of was influencing the increase of girls and women in athletics and sports.
With a B.A. degree in English, cum laude, from Miami University (OH), Dr. Kaser then earned a M.A. in English from the University of Dayton, and an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from the American University in Washington, DC.
She is survived by her son, Chris Cruz; her daughter, Patricia Vizcaino-Draugelat; her granddaughter, Olivia Stansen; her great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Wesley; and her devoted significant other, James Hill.
Joyce Kaser's impact was widespread. She has been a voice of reason, unique, stylish, loving, and creative. Her loss will be significant for her family, her many friends, her Unitarian church family, the students whose lives she impacted, and the fields of education and art. Services will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021, 10:00 a.m. at First Unitarian Church,3701 Carlisle Blvd Ne 87110, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Services will also be available to view online via zoom a link will be made available on this page at a later time.
In lieu of flowers contributions in Joyce's memory can be made to Unitarian Church- 3701 Carlisle Blvd Ne 87110, Albuquerque, NM, https://uuabq.com/pledging-and-contributions/giving-page/ NMPBS, https://www.newmexicopbs.org/support/donate/ , New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation, PO Box 25446 Albuquerque, NM 87104, and the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. Please visit our online guestbook for Joyce at www.FrenchFunerals.com
To send sympathy gifts to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joyce Kaser, please visit our tribute store.
Services
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Saturday
October 9, 2021
10:00 AM
First Unitarian Church,3701 Carlisle Blvd Ne (Albuquerque)