Meet Kenneth Ender: ‘I Wanted to Pay it Forward’

This is part of a series of profiles about faculty who joined the NC State College of Education in 2019-20.

Why did you choose the NC State College of Education?

I chose the NC State College of Education to work at the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research*.

Why did you choose a career in education?

I chose a career in education to engage students in ways in which they could be successful.

Why did you choose your specific field?

I chose my field because educators made the biggest difference in my life and I wanted to pay it forward.

Why did you pursue a Ph.D.?

I pursued a Ph.D. to learn all I could about leading public institutions of higher education.

What are your research interests? 

My research interests include student engagement and student success in community college.

What is your teaching philosophy? 

To place a focus on student engagement, applied learning and community learning experiences.

What do you hope your students learn from you? 

I want my students to learn how to learn for the rest of their lives.