For most educators, the teaching journey can begin with a clear calling. For Dr. Kimberly McLeod, her journey was one of discovery and was shaped by experience, faith and a deep passion for helping others. With an education career that has spanned decades, she has assumed various roles as a teacher, administrator and school counselor before joining the Wildcat family as a college professor.
Dr. McLeod is a professor in the online Ed.D. in Educational Leadership program, a role that became available to her when she decided to retire from higher education administrative roles and return to research, service and teaching. Her previous leadership roles while rewarding, didn’t offer her much flexibility or the opportunity to deep dive into research. She warmly embraces the support and culture that ACU has given her as she shares that with a greater community.
Dr. McLeod’s professional work and leadership go beyond the classroom, currently serving as the president of the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE). She is also involved in the Texas Alliance of Black School and Educators (TABSE), often working with the Houston-area chapters to advocate for students and educators. However, teaching wasn’t always part of Dr. McLeod’s plan; in fact, she never even considered it at first. However, after taking a few courses, she realized it was a natural fit. After earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and accepting her first teaching job, Dr. McLeod decided to pursue a degree in counseling with her friend, a fellow teacher. This decision led her toward receiving her doctorate from Texas Southern University, by 30 and eventually taking the leap into higher education, ultimately leading her to Abilene Christian University (ACU). “It just happened to be a great fit,” McLeod explained.
Outside of education, Dr. McLeod is a mother and aunt who describes herself as an energetic thinker and creative. “I love to speak and navigate ideas on an intellectual level with others. Speaking and transitioning through thoughts is a way for people to discover themselves,” Dr. McLeod said.
McLeod’s Approach to Teaching
McLeod’s teaching style is deeply relational. She leads a weekly coterie for doctoral students, where the focus extends beyond academics to cultivating meaningful connections and responsive support systems. Within this space, she intentionally develops both the intellectual and interpersonal dimensions of her students. Drawing on her background in leadership and counseling, McLeod emphasizes the power of authenticity and vulnerability in helping students fully engage in their learning. “Be authentic, be genuine, be vulnerable,” Dr. McLeod shared, her voice carrying the weight of lived conviction.
The moment that solidified her commitment to relational, authentic teaching traces back to her early years in the classroom. While teaching first grade, she found herself in a crowded room during a rainy-day recess, co-managing two classes alongside another teacher while grading papers. To occupy the students, they played The Lion King.
When one student approached her with a question, she responded while continuing to multitask, listening but not making eye contact. The student, unwilling to accept divided attention, placed the palms of his hands gently on either side of her face, turned her toward him, and said, “Listen to me with your eyes.”
That moment became a paradigm-shifting moment. Immediately, she recognized that every interaction with a student carries weight and deserves presence. What seemed like a routine exchange revealed something deeper: attention is not just a courtesy, it is a form of respect and connection. While she met the student’s need in that moment, he taught her something lasting: in that space, she was the only thing that mattered to him. Not the papers, not the activity in the room, just her presence and attention. What he needed deserved to come first and she gave it to him and every future version of him she would encounter.
For McLeod, teaching is inherently multi-relational. It requires the ability to offer instruction while remaining open to being shaped in return. “Students shouldn’t have to compete for what they need or for connection,” she explained. In her view, the most effective educators are not only those who deliver lessons well, but those who recognize when the moment itself becomes the lesson.
When asked about her favorite part of teaching or what keeps her motivated as an educator, Dr. McLeod immediately said, “Seeing them succeed.” She loves interacting and sharing ideas with her students face-to-face or online, but their success is what warms her heart the most. “Seeing them with their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees. I love that because it means their dreams have transitioned to reality.
The Future of Online Learning with ACU
Online learning isn’t going anywhere and is continually evolving, and McLeod loves that. Online learning offers access to students who can’t afford to travel for higher education or don’t have time to sit in the classroom. McLeod’s mention of ACU’s ability to create deeply personal online programs inspired her to become a Wildcat.
“ACU is a national exemplar in supporting students online. Through weekly meetings and outreach, it’s creating retention in moving students along,” McLeod said. She continued to express her appreciation for the online learning format ACU has created because it benefits both teachers and students.
The flexibility of each program allows her to accommodate and work with students who have jobs, families to raise or other responsibilities. “Working here has been a new paradigm of understanding. I pray with leaders I work with and students before and after meetings and classes. It’s so refreshing to me to see the support of the community,” McLeod shared.
Creating a Meaningful Experience For Online Students
As online education continues to expand, educators like Dr. Kimberly McLeod are leading the way in redefining what it means to connect in a virtual space. Her work reflects ACU’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality education while maintaining a strong sense of purpose and community.
At ACU, Dr. McLeod has found a place where her passion for relational teaching and faith-based education align. The university’s commitment to fostering community in an online environment allows her to continue doing what she does best: guiding students through both academic and personal development. By creating spaces like her weekly coterie meetings, she ensures that students are not navigating their educational journeys alone.
Dr. McLeod’s journey highlights how meaningful connections and purpose-driven teaching can transform the student experience. From her early days in the classroom to her leadership on a national level, her commitment to supporting every student reflects the values at the heart of ACU. Learn more about how ACU is creating impactful, student-centered online learning experiences by visiting our website.
