Kenneth Kirkland is the new Dean of Health Sciences at Calhoun Community College. He was named to this position in January of 2023.
Kirkland’s career journey began in 2003 where he served as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in Falkville, AL. A year after taking on this position, he enrolled in Calhoun’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program, where he fell in love with the amazing faculty and staff. As he prepared to graduate from Calhoun, Kenneth served as an EMT/Driver, and worked in various roles in the healthcare field such as Paramedic/Driver, Registered Nurse, American Heart Association Training Center Coordinator, as well as an EMS Adjunct faculty member at Calhoun.
Kirkland obtained multiple healthcare licenses, certifications and honors while continuing his education where he obtained an Associate of Nursing degree from Calhoun, a Bachelors in Nursing at Jacksonville State University, as well as a Masters of Nursing Administration from The University of Alabama.
His career returned to Calhoun where he served as a full-time EMS faculty member/clinical coordinator, EMS program director, which led to his assignment at the Alabama Community College System’s (ACCS) Director of Health Programs. Kirkland also served a short time as the Dean of Health Sciences at Gadsden State Community College before his return to Calhoun as the Dean of Health Sciences. “Returning to Calhoun as the Dean of Health has really been more of a homecoming than a job assignment,” commented Kirkland. “I always say, we have a great opportunity to take our collective life experiences and build upon the amazing foundation and contributions of our previous and current faculty and staff who have made Calhoun Community College what it is today: the clear choice for student success. Our goals will be to continue to support students as they pursue their career and educational dreams as I am a living testament of this,” he added.
Kenneth is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Human Capital Development at The University of Southern Mississippi, and is happily married to his wife, Lesli. They have two children, Madelyn Laine (10 years old) and Liam James (5 years old).