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HONORING THE LEGACY OF DR. ROGER KAUFMAN
Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Roger Kaufman
By Kevin Derryberry
Dr. Roger Kaufman, professor emeritus of Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies (ISLT), passed away on September 23, 2020. While Florida State University is no stranger to excellence, Kaufman held the unique distinction of being a founding figure of an entire field of research and practice. He didn’t simply establish the FSU ISLT program as one of the best in the world; he helped shape educational technology and learning improvement into what they are today.
Over the course of his career, Kaufman published 41 books and more than 300 articles on the subjects related to performance improvement, planning, management and needs assessment. He held many titles throughout his life, working with non-governmental organizations, universities, governments and more. He believed in mega-planning that would provide a practical approach for businesses, schools and non-profit organizations to develop the kind of world that would benefit the future. In fact, much of his work was dedicated to the admirable goal of making the world a better place.
A common theme in his work considered the concept of “needs” both as a noun and a verb. He often wrote about how needs describe the gap between results and consequences. In that respect, his passing leaves a gap not just in the field but in the lives of friends, family and the community he helped build.
It was only fitting that the College of Education paid tribute to Kaufman, who cared about sharing knowledge and improving performance, by creating an event to do just that. On April 2, 2021, the Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies program hosted the Roger Kaufman Memorial – Alumni Student Knowledge Exchange to honor his life and legacy.
As ISLT alumna Cathy Tencza (M.S. ’85) points out, “I think Roger showed up for every alumni event I attended in the past 30 years.” While participants missed his presence, his influence was undeniable, as he had affected the lives of every single presenter and attendee.
LOCAL IMPACT
Kaufman’s research and publications established an international interest in the field of human performance, but his local community also directly benefited from his generosity and dedication. Even during his life, he found ways to help individuals and organizations in Tallahassee. In 2016, in honor of his impact on the Tallahassee community, the College of Education partnered with the local non-profit organization, 21st Century Council, to begin offering the Roger Kaufman Exemplary Community Agency Award. This award recognizes local non-profits that apply Kaufman’s strategy of needs assessment to improve our community.
Presented each spring at the United Partners for Human Services conference in Tallahassee, the Roger Kaufman Exemplary Community Agency Award has helped to support food insecure seniors in Leon County, children with physical and mental disabilities, crime reduction programs, trauma informed interventions for at-risk youth, and crisis counseling and suicide prevention programs.
As Ryan Watkins, professor of educational leadership at George Washington University and former doctoral student of Kaufman’s shared, “[Roger taught] the notion that doing societal good could be, and should be, integrated into our professional work.”
During his tenure at Florida State University, Kaufman directed the Center for Needs Assessment and Planning and earned the moniker of “the father of needs assessment.” He was also a past president and honorary life member of the International Society for Performance Improvement, which created the Roger Kaufman Award for Societal Impact in his honor.
He was a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the American Educational Research Association and Distinguished Research Professor at the Sonora Institute of Technology (Mexico). In 2020, the Kaufman Center think tank was created within the Performance Improvement Institute to recognize the social impact of programs around the world.
LASTING LEGACY
This year, in the memory of our friend and colleague, the College of Education along with Jan Kaufman and the Kaufman family, have created the newest student award program in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies, the Roger Kaufman Endowment for Excellence.
The Roger Kaufman Endowment for Excellence will support students in the Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies program who exemplify his commitment to research that has a positive impact on society. Award recipients shall be selected from the pool of eligible applicants with preference going to students with proven academic excellence and a demonstrated financial need. Fund uses may include, but are not limited to, expenses related to student research, travel expenses or materials directly related to the student’s course of study.
Through this endowment, Kaufman and his family continue his legacy of helping those who wish to do the most good for society at large. The field he helped create has wide-reaching implications on ways to make the world a better place, and this endowment will help ensure that the next generation of scholars continue that work. To support the Roger Kaufman Endowment for Excellence please visit give.fsu.edu/kaufman.
2020 & 2019
Elder Care Services – Providing community based, compassionate care for a broad spectrum of Leon County and Big Bend area seniors including Meals on Wheels, In-home services, and various senior volunteer and outreach services
2018
Rotary Youth Camp – Providing support to the free summer camp program for individuals with various physical and mental disabilities
2018
Delta Kappa Omega Foundation – Supporting the work Tallahassee’s Providence Neighborhood promise zone project to reduce crime, clean up the neighborhood, improve homeownership and create a neighborhood center
2017
PACE Center for Girls – Providing a holistic, gender-specific, and trauma informed approach to keeping middle and high school aged girls from entering the juvenile justice system
2016
2-1-1 Big Bend – Providing 24-hour emotional support, crisis counseling, suicide prevention, and information & referrals for community resources for those in need
