Kenneth Ballom: Working to connect UNT students to campus

		Kenneth Ballom, dean of students, works hard to help make UNT students feel connected to the campus where they spend so much of their time. He, too, is a UNT student, seeking a doctoral degree in higher education.

Kenneth Ballom, dean of students, is undoubtedly a man of many talents. He is a skilled communicator, true people person and "great guy and wonderful individual," according to his colleagues. He's also an accomplished woodworker and enjoys photography and graphic design in his spare time.

In addition, Ballom is an athlete who counts sports as one of his many hobbies.

"I enjoy sports in general and I would love to have been a high school basketball coach. I grew up playing competitively and I feel I have a keen sense of how the game of basketball is played," he says.

Sports are one way Ballom connects with his two young sons. It is a way to teach them the importance "of having balance in their lives," he says.

Ballom regards the birth of his two children as a "life-changing event."

"To see your children grow and mature into young adults is the process of having your greatest achievement realized," he says.

Before coming to UNT, Ballom received a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M at Commerce in counseling and a master's degree in college student personnel administration from Western Illinois University. He is currently working toward his doctoral degree in higher education at UNT.

"I know I've succeeded when I'm sure that I've given my best effort and I am able to see the accumulation of a tremendous amount of work," he says.

Ballom's role as dean of students includes listening to students' concerns, explaining university policies and directing students to the appropriate resources to help them. His colleagues have seen his calm demeanor, loyalty and hard-working nature firsthand.

"Dean Ballom is a joy to work with," says Bonita Jacobs, vice president for student development. "He is trusted by students because he is, above all, truthful and honest with them. His role as dean of students is integral to what we are doing at UNT to connect students to campus and ease their transition experience."

Ballom says he looks to the students he works with for a reminder of why he's at UNT.

"They serve as my inspiration on a daily basis," he says.

BY MAGAN HENDON inhouse@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Almost 3,500 people provide input for UNT's branding campaign
• Join contact list to receive updates regarding UNT's proposed law school
• Policy changes designed to make parking at UNT more user friendly
• UNT Spring 2005 enrollment up slightly over Spring 2004 numbers
• Book says UNT broadcasting program is one of the nation's best
• Complete the Dream program gains $50,000
• UNT departments move to different places on campus
• Tax law changes may mean more refund money in your pocket this year
• Operation Eagle 2004 deadline extended
• Student serving in Iraq completes his course work with help from UNT professors
• Counselor offers suggestions to support co-workers in crisis

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