Staff Spotlight
The spotlight recognizes and celebrates achievements and contributions staff make to the successful operation of the college. This is an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and exemplary performance of individuals that deserve special recognition.
Zack Thatcher was hired in July 2014 as an academic secretary for the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. He is now an academic assistant for the Neuroscience Program. Also, Zack provides administrative support for the Department of Psychology. His responsibilities include assisting students, faculty, and external customers with requests daily. This includes processing major forms, maintaining majors list, program probation, maintaining funds, organizing events, course scheduling, mentoring freshman, and more. Zack has been a member of the Staff Advisory Committee since March 2015 and served on the College of Arts and Sciences Celebration Committee at the request of Dean Duncan.
Tony Buchanan, Program Director of Neuroscience, said, “The first thing that you’ll notice about Zack is his friendliness. He is kind and nonjudgmental to every person—student, staff, faculty—with whom he comes in contact. The next thing you notice about Zack is his relentless pursuit of doing everything better. Any question to Zack from students is met with genuine concern and a persistent search for an answer. He serves staff and faculty with the same level of courtesy, collegiality, and professionalism. To put it simply, neither the Department of Psychology, nor the Neuroscience Program could function without the work of Zack Thatcher.”
Zack earned his B.S. in Political Science and Psychology from SIUE in 2004. He married his wife, Kathleen, in Sedona, AZ in 2005. They lived in Flagstaff, AZ and then Casper, WY before moving back to St. Louis in 2013. Kathleen is the assessment coordinator at SLU. Zack’s hobbies include include listening to podcasts, watching movies, playing Pokemon Go, traveling, and walking their dog, Belle, at the various parks around St. Louis.