J.K. Campbell has been named associate professor of education, and division chair for education at Southwestern College. Campbell will join a committed team of faculty dedicated to the preparation and support of great teachers and school administrators.

Campbell has served USD 465 as superintendent for over six years and prior to that worked as assistant superintendent, overseeing business and operations for USD 470 in Arkansas City for six years. Campbell has also served as an elementary principal and lead teacher. He began his career in education instructing fourth graders. After working with students as a classroom teacher for 12 years, he became an administrator.

“Now more than ever we need high quality educators working in our schools,” said Brad Andrews, president of Southwestern College. “Dr. Campbell is uniquely equipped to help lead the education division at Southwestern College, developing students who will graduate and take positions of leadership in classrooms across the country.”

During his time with the district, Campbell worked closely with the Board of Education to lead and shape strategy for an organization with over 2,200 students and more than 700 employees. He has accumulated an extensive background in instructional leadership as well as school finance and business operations. Under the leadership of Campbell, USD 465 has accomplished many projects and initiatives including fundraising to build the STEM Center at Winfield High School, organizing the Cowley County Early Childhood Coalition, implementing district-wide Multi-Tiered System of Support for Math, Reading, and Behavior, and facilitating the USD 465 Strategic Plan. Campbell is looking forward to carrying his experience into a position where he will prepare future educators for similar work.

“It has been a privilege to work with an incredibly talented and dedicated team at USD 465,” said Campbell. “As I’ve been considering retirement, I’ve known that I wasn’t ready to end my work in the field of education.  The position at Southwestern will allow me the opportunity to help develop teachers and the profession in a community that my wife and I are fortunate to call home.”

Andrews shared that in a time when fewer students in the United States are choosing teaching as a career, Southwestern College is strategically aiming to build the education program and recruit more service-minded students to become teachers. The college offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the Education Division.

“As it has been for 132 years, our education program continues to be a central and direct expression of the mission of Southwestern College,” said Andrews. “The college remains focused on supporting the needs of communities across the nation by doing our part in preparing knowledgeable and caring educators. Having had a parallel focus throughout his career, we look forward to the ways in which Dr. Campbell will engage and inspire students as they prepare for and begin their teaching careers.”

The Education Division at Southwestern offers classes to prepare educators for English Language Learners, early childhood, elementary, secondary, special education, as well as positions in administration. In the early childhood program, the Education Division includes the Southwestern College Learning Center, servicing children ages two-and-a-half through fourth grade and providing valuable firsthand experience to students in the early childhood program.

“Southwestern College is a vital part of the Winfield community and surrounding area,” said Campbell in the announcement of his departure to USD 465 staff.  “Working with faculty and students at Southwestern will allow me to stay connected to those things which remain exceedingly important to me including public education, early childhood development, community health and wellness initiatives, and the growth of teachers and leaders.”

Campbell is working with the District Board of Education to coordinate a smooth transition of leadership. He will begin his position at Southwestern College on July 1, 2018.