Although, you won’t find Dr. Brenda Kihl in a classroom on a daily basis, students are at the heart of everything she does. Early in her career Kihl impacted dozens of students every day as a middle school and high school science teacher. Today, as executive vice president at Collin College her influence has increased exponentially — affecting more than 43,000 credit students annually.
From policy to academic programming, she is part of a team that is designing campuses and creating curriculum that meet both student and industry needs.
“We are excited about our new Wylie Campus, which will serve eastern Collin County,” she said. “Our large population of dual credit students in this area will be able to utilize this new facility. In addition, the campus will provide education and new job possibilities for the workforce. As part of the college’s master plan, we completed an extensive study of industries in the county, focusing on programs which would best serve the businesses in and around Wylie,” she said.
Increasing the Impact
Initially, Kihl planned to go into research after earning a bachelor of science degree in cell biology from the University of Minnesota.
“I enjoyed the lab, but working with students was much more rewarding,” she said.
Kihl went on to earn an M.Ed. in teaching from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in public affairs from The University of Texas at Dallas. After serving as a math and science teacher, she joined Collin College as the curriculum and instructional designer for a National Science Foundation grant targeted to middle school students. She also served as the director of the college’s Alternative Teacher Certification Program and later as vice president and provost at the Frisco campus.
“Collin College was a perfect fit for me,” she said. “I moved from being a teacher to helping teach teachers. Today, I strive to create a college learning environment that supports student success. It is also amazing to be able to design and create new facilities and programs for students.”
The Power of Education is Personal
Though she spends most days in meetings, reviewing policies or developing construction and academic program plans, Kihl is in touch with the power of education. She makes time to serve as a student mentor and eagerly recounts stories of educational transformation, as in the case of one mentee who came from a difficult background, changed her life at Collin College and ultimately became a professor. Kihl is also quick to share stories about her two sons, both of whom took advantage of the college’s dual credit program during high school.
“My oldest son will graduate in four years with a chemical engineering degree because he earned college credit in high school,” Kihl said. “We are helping individuals gain skills to work and simultaneously benefit our economy. Whether they are 15 years old or in their seventies, Collin College provides the opportunity to positively impact students’ education and their future. We are changing people’s lives for the better. That’s what education does.”
For more information about Collin College, including plans for the Wylie Campus, visit www.collin.edu.
Reprinted with permission of The Connection