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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD, is focused on listening, learning and asking questions such as, “How can we more effectively serve students?” 

Leonard assumed his role on July 1. He most recently served as professor and chair in the Department of History at Middle Tennessee State University since 2017. Prior to that, he served as chair of the Department of History at Western Washington University from 2011-17. Leonard’s administrative experience includes strategic planning, recruitment, hiring, mentoring and evaluation of faculty, program assessment and budget management. 

As an educator, Leonard is an innovator and risk taker. 

“Historians are not necessarily known for their risk taking in teaching,” he said. “But when I was at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, the classes were small. I used a discussion-based model. Then when I went to Western Washington University (Bellingham), I was not willing to go back to standing in front of a class and talking at students. The best way for students to learn is for them to actively engage with the material. 

“There are wonderful lecturers who tell great stories and students hang on their every word, but that’s not me or my style. I would use documents, music, video clips and discussions to involve students, and not have them be passive note takers.”   

As a dean and an administrator, Leonard says he’s all ears. 

“I want to listen carefully and get to know the College well. I don’t want to impose my ideas,” he explained. “What I can do is get people to ask, among other things, ‘Why are we doing it this way?’” 

Leonard prefers a team approach to administration. “One of the tremendous rewards of coming to SIUE was being part of an already established team that included Associate Deans Jennifer Rehg, PhD, and Bill Retzlaff, PhD, and Director of Business Affairs Shavonda Mitchom. We have a collaborative, team-focused approach.” 

Personally, Leonard said he is cautious in his approach to administration. “I’m extremely data driven,” he acknowledged. “There is nothing more frustrating to me than being asked to make a decision with incomplete information. I need to see as much information as possible. Then, I will consult with my leadership team, and we will figure out the best response.” 

When it comes to assisting faculty, Leonard believes being an excellent role model goes a long way. 

“If I set the tone that I want people to be the best they can be, it helps foster an even better environment,” shared Leonard. “I also see my job as finding those places where people want to improve, whether it’s in their teaching or research, and locating avenues where I can support that.” 

In turning his attention back to the essential purpose of any college or university – its students – Leonard offers two bits of wisdom. 

“You have to meet students where they are. You can’t jump to conclusions about a student’s ability or commitment based on what might readily be apparent,” he offered. “Also, always be ready to change to better reach students and meet their needs.” 

The Coronavirus pandemic has offered an excellent opportunity to do just that, noted Leonard. 

“COVID-19 has encouraged us to think about how we might do what we have done differently and better,” he continued. “There are already structures, like team taught courses, within SIUE that are useful and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration.  

“What is new is the synchronous interaction online. Face-to-face instruction will not go away, but we may see a significant shift. We need to decide what courses work better being taught online. This creates more flexibility than what we previously had.” 

Leonard continues to reflect on the University as a whole, and how he and CAS can assist in making it better. One way, according to the dean, is CAS’s strategic plan. 

“The highest priority in our strategic plan has to do with improving recruitment and retention of diverse faculty, staff and students,” he said. “It is extremely critical and is my highest priority. I arrived here in a pandemic summer, that has been marked by the resurgence of a movement for racial justice in the United States. There is a remarkable opportunity for us to make tremendous progress as a society in terms of increasing justice.” 

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SIUE College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD.