Cedarville Magazine, Spring 2021

To describe Cedarville University’s new School of Education Dean, Kevin Jones, as an academic leader seems a little, how do you put it — understated. Jones has the passion of a preacher, the energy of a college football coach, the vision of a Fortune 500 entrepreneur, and the heart of a missionary. More than anything, Jones loves the Lord, and he loves students. And he wants to see Cedarville teachers span the country and the globe as Great Commission educators. “My hope is we would send out graduates every single year who will teach students the ABCs and math computations — good pedagogical content — and who will also proclaim God’s truth and bring Him glory as they have the opportunity,” said Jones, soon after assuming the role of dean this past summer. In his first 16 weeks on the job, Jones has been busy building relationships with faculty colleagues, infusing them with his contagious enthusiasm and energy, and reaching out to high school leaders throughout the Miami Valley. His plan is to provide a compelling vision of a Cedarville education that will inspire students, faculty, and educational leaders. “Dr. Jones has brought an energy and new life to our school in very short order,” said Lori (Brown) Ferguson ’98, whom Jones appointed assistant dean in the weeks shortly after he assumed the reins of the program. “Although the fall semester was a challenge because of COVID-19, I am encouraged to see all of the faculty from our school moving in the same direction. That is a direct result of Dr. Jones’ visionary and approachable leadership.” UNEXPECTED DESTINATION Jones never thought he would be leading a university education program. In fact, he started teaching at the opposite end of the education spectrum, working with first-graders at Clays Mill Elementary School in Lexington, Kentucky, after he earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Kentucky State University. Four years later, Jones shifted to physical education for fifth-grade students at Watterson Elementary School in Louisville. But when he entered the University of Kentucky in 2005 to pursue a master’s degree in education, Jones had several options to consider. He could pursue a master’s degree that would guide him toward K–12 school administration, which, most invariably, would take him down the path of becoming a high school principal or school district superintendent. Another option was to choose to focus on education policy and work for his native homeland of Kentucky at the state level, or he could pursue a postsecondary education degree. All of his training and experience to that point would have suggested a continued career in the elementary classroom, with an option for an expanded leadership role. Instead, Jones chose to pursue the postsecondary program, and Cedarville University is the current benefactor from this decision. In 2016, he earned his doctoral degree in education from Spalding University. As a result of his choice to pursue postsecondary education, Jones parlayed his master’s degree into teaching positions at Kentucky State University and an academic leadership role at Boyce College in Louisville, Kentucky. Earning his doctorate was the final academic stamp needed for Jones to take his new leadership role at Cedarville University. Through all of his experiences and education, Jones has refined his mission for the future educators that he teaches. He wants the faculty at Cedarville to teach students from Scripture but, specifically, with a Matthew 28 perspective. “What separates Cedarville’s education program from other universities is that we have a theological approach to the way we teach,” said Jones. “Without question, our pedagogical and sociological approach to teaching is solid, but from what I’ve discerned from my time at Cedarville is that our faculty bring a Christlike love for our students that demands excellence in classroom instruction and through personal discipleship.” DYNAMIC DUO But, the new dean knew coming into his role at Cedarville that he couldn’t do his work by himself. He needed a colleague to join him at the leadership level to share ideas and dreams so the School of Education could continue to excel. “One of the first items of business when I came this past summer was to talk with each faculty member in the School of Education to learn from them who they thought would make a great assistant dean,” said Jones. “100% of the faculty listed More than anything, Jones loves the Lord, and he loves students. And he wants to see Cedarville teachers span the country and the globe as Great Commission educators. 10 | Cedarville Magazine