Joleen Kindhart had been in healthcare for over 25 years, with her passion for emergency medicine. When she was offered the unexpected opportunity to teach Health Sciences at the career center, she decided to accept the role even though she hadn’t previously had any goals to teach, and it ended up being a fantastic decision. “Being part of shaping the future of healthcare workers has become just as meaningful to me as being on the front lines,” she says. “It’s been an unexpected but incredibly rewarding chapter in my career.”

During Joleen’s time as a student at Ball State, she has received a lot of support from the staff. One particularly memorable experience was working with Dr. Lazaros, who acted as both professor and advisor. “Dr. Lazaros was always incredibly helpful, supportive, and encouraging throughout my time at Ball State,” Joleen says. “His guidance has made a lasting impact on my academic journey, and he has helped me see potential in myself that I hadn’t fully recognized.”

“Dr. Lazaros was always incredibly helpful, supportive, and encouraging throughout my time at Ball State. His guidance has made a lasting impact on my academic journey, and he has helped me see potential in myself that I hadn’t fully recognized.”

Additionally, while Joleen was a student, she felt that her education was extremely relevant, sharing that “every assignment [she] completed played a role in shaping [her] career.” She explains that “each [assignment] added to my toolbox of knowledge, giving me skills and insights that I continue to use in the field. Whether it was research, presentation, or hands-on activities, those experiences helped me grow as a healthcare professional and educator.” She credits her classes at Ball State for giving her a stronger foundation to draw on in real-world situations.

“Each [assignment] added to my toolbox of knowledge, giving me skills and insights that I continue to use in the field. Whether it was research, presentation, or hands-on activities, those experiences helped me grow as a healthcare professional and educator.”

Joleen, who is currently finishing up her Master’s in Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Ball State, believes that her time in the program has made her a stronger educator. In 2024, she earned Teacher of the Year in her building and it was both an incredible honor and a meaningful recognition of the hard work she has put into supporting and inspiring her students. Ball State has helped her reach these milestones. “The program has given me valuable tools, strategies, and confidence that I use every day in the classroom. It continues to challenge me and help me grow—not just for my own development, but for the benefit of my students and their future in healthcare.”

“The program has given me valuable tools, strategies, and confidence that I use every day in the classroom. It continues to challenge me and help me grow—not just for my own development, but for the benefit of my students and their future in healthcare.”