Higher Education: Past, Present, & Future

Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson
President, Kutztown University

President Kenneth Hawkinson will be providing a historical account of the development of higher education in the United States, highlighting its emphasis on the development of young people with regard to their values, role as citizens in a democratic society, development of knowledge and skills leading to the development of our country and a rewarding vocation.  He will discuss the challenges facing higher education today, and will make predictions on what the role of higher education will be in the future.

Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson began his tenure as the 12th president of Kutztown University on July 1, 2015.Since his arrival at KU, Hawkinson has established 53 initiatives for the institution focusing on areas such as academic excellence, enrollment management and student success, and expanding educational opportunity and access.

Before coming to KU, Hawkinson was provost and academic vice president at Western Illinois University from 2012-15. Hawkinson began his academic career at Western Illinois as an assistant professor of communication, and later was promoted to associate, then full professor. He also was an adjunct professor in African American Studies and an instructor in the Honors Program. He has published numerous articles and dozens of professional papers. His research interests and creative pursuits include storytelling, oral tradition and performance of literature.

Hawkinson earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Western Illinois University. He also has a Master of Arts in speech communication from the institution and holds a doctorate in speech communication/performance studies from Southern Illinois University. He served as a Peace Corp volunteer in Mali, West Africa, from 1986 to 1988. He was a Fulbright Scholar from 1990-91, during which he taught American studies at the University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa, and conducted research in African folklore and oral tradition. A native of Carpentersville, Ill., Hawkinson is married to the former Ann Marie Hayes.