Morehead State alum Dr. Kim Clevenger named associate provost
A two-time MSU graduate and impactful instructor and administrator in the Department of Nursing is taking on a new role to help Eagles soar higher in their educational goals.
Dr. Kim Clevenger (Class of 1995) is the associate provost for undergraduate education and student success. She is succeeding Dr. Chris Schroeder, provost and vice president for academic affairs.
Originally from Sandy Hook, Clevenger said Morehead State was the only college she ever considered. Her mother, Brenda Stone Thornberry Bradford (Class of 1985, 1995), was a first-generation college graduate. As a child, she witnessed firsthand the impact faculty members can have on students. On occasion, when childcare arrangements fell through or school was out, professors permitted Clevenger's mother to bring her to class.
"MSU became woven into our lives as she worked toward her teaching degree," Clevenger recalls. "I would sit in the back with my own bag of books, pretending I was in college too. Those same professors consistently went above and beyond to support her as she balanced being a wife, raising a family, working full-time, and pursuing her education. Some of her professors became lifelong family friends."
Clevenger initially chose to major in psychology and minor in corrections, to attend graduate school and become a psychologist or a criminal investigative analyst. However, her initial career plan changed in the spring of 1993 after a hospital stay with her grandmother.
"In health care, patients and families often encounter both outstanding and poor care. Unfortunately, the nurse caring for my grandmother that day fell into the latter category, and the experience left a lasting impression on me," she said. "In that moment, something clicked. I realized I wanted to pursue nursing so I could provide the kind of care every patient deserves, regardless of their background, age, or diagnosis.”
The very next day, Clevenger went to the Department of Nursing and, by the fall of 1993, was admitted to the associate degree in nursing program while continuing to complete her psychology degree. She said that while it delayed her graduating from MSU in four years, it set her on a career path centered on compassion, service and caring for others.
After having an incredible MSU experience and making connections with nursing program faculty, Dr. Janet Gross, former coordinator of the ADN, bachelor of science in nursing, and RN-BSN programs, told her upon graduation, "If you ever have a desire to come back and teach, give me a call." She held on to those words.
After practicing in the health care field and completing her Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education from Bellarmine University in 2004, she did just that. Almost a decade after graduating from MSU, she returned as an assistant professor of nursing.
"Dr. Gross not only shaped me as a nurse during my undergraduate years, but also mentored me as a novice educator, and guided my development in teaching and leadership," Clevenger said.
Gross also prepared Clevenger to serve as the RN-BSN online program coordinator upon her retirement in 2007, while Dr. Erla Mowbray, former chair of the Department of Nursing, mentored her so she could eventually serve as the pre-licensure BSN program coordinator (2010-2025) and interim department chair (2011 and 2024). During her time at MSU, she also earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Teacher Leadership from Walden University in 2011.
Working as an educator and administrator was not how she saw her career going. She thought she would make an immediate impact in direct patient care. Instead, she has realized her various roles in the Department of Nursing allowed her to make a similar or even greater impact in a unique way.
"I recognized that my influence extended beyond a single patient encounter. It became a ripple effect. I held high standards and expectations in the courses I taught, often reminding students that here at MSU, we do not graduate mediocre nurses; we graduate exceptional nurses," Clevenger said. "Over the years, as students moved through MSU's nursing programs, I realized I had a role in shaping not only their clinical practice, but also their values and professional identity. Each graduate carries a small part of what I instilled in them, as they provide quality care in our rural communities and beyond."
On July 1, 2025, Clevenger stepped into the role of interim associate provost before becoming associate provost this past December. She said, in addition to making sure she supports a culture that fosters strong, engaged faculty and staff, she will gauge success by the extent to which students and faculty are supported and how academic programs are positioned for continued success here at MSU.
"Student success is central to everything we do here at MSU, so seeing improvements in retention, progression, completion, and post-graduation outcomes will be key indicators," Clevenger said. "Just as important is knowing that students feel supported through accessible services, clear pathways to degree completion, and intentional advising."
Clevenger said she looks forward to working alongside Schroeder as they examine how well MSU's academic programs continue to evolve through assessment, accreditation, and continuous quality improvement measures.
"Dr. Schroeder is an effective leader and a strong advocate for the success and well-being of our entire campus community. I consider it a privilege and a blessing to work alongside him as we work toward meeting MSU's goals together," Clevenger said. "I am excited for what the future holds for academic affairs. Together, through collaboration with our internal and external stakeholders, we are going to accomplish great things."
Dr. Kim Clevenger can be reached at k.clevenger@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2003.
For more information about the Division of Academic Affairs, contact Dr. Chris Schroeder at c.schroeder@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2002.
