Meet Kevin Cline! Kevin is a two-time graduate of our Teachers’ College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Education in 2005 and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education in 2011. Kevin is a History and Government teacher at Frankton Jr/Sr High School and serves on the boards of several national organizations, including the National Constitution Center, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the National Council for History Education. Kevin was named the 2016 National History Teacher of the Year and serves on the Alumni Council for the BSU Department of History. Chirp Chirp to this dedicated alum!

 

What led you to your graduate program at BSU? 

I was a classroom teacher, and at that point, having a master’s degree was really important. I was at a point in my professional career where I felt comfortable pursuing a master’s.

What was your proudest memory as a BSU grad student? 

I’m very proud of my degree and the institution. I was a little bit nervous when I started my graduate program because I had a new baby, but Ball State’s program was extremely accessible and accommodating for someone in my situation. It was definitely rigorous, but it’s possible for someone who isn’t living off-campus and not a traditional student.

How have you been able to use your graduate degree from BSU? 

As a teacher, it allowed me to get a pay bump. Having a master’s degree allowed me to pursue programs at our school that otherwise would not have been possible (e.g., teaching dual credit classes). It’s such a huge deal for students to have dual credit. I wouldn’t have been able to lead that initiative without my degree from Ball State.

What advice or wisdom do you have to share with current BSU grad students? 

Being honest. I’d encourage current grad students to ask themselves if they are studying a field that values their graduate degree. If you’re working in a field that doesn’t value that degree, I’d encourage them to think about the investment in pursuing it. I say this as someone who never questioned whether I would get my master’s. Things have changed. If you’re going to do the program, make sure you have a good advisor whom you can go to for questions when you need help.