McNeese Graduate Changes Lives of Next Generation of Researchers

Dr. Kevin Clark, a DeQuincy native, holds three degrees from McNeese State University in radiologic sciences (2001), instructional technology (2006) and a Master of Arts in Teaching (2009) degree. Throughout each of his career paths, Clark credits McNeese with preparing him for success.

“After graduating from the radiologic sciences program, I had the opportunity to see several parts of the nation as a travel radiologic technologist,” he explains. “I returned home to Southwest Louisiana to transition into teaching. I taught math at both Hyatt High School and DeQuincy High School and began working on my Doctor of Education degree in leadership and management from Cappela University.”

However, Clark never lost his interest in radiologic sciences, which led him to take his teaching experience to a classroom in higher education.

“When I completed my doctorate, I initially looked for a mathematics professorship,” Clark says. “However, it so happened that Midwestern State University in Texas had an opening for an assistant professor in the radiologic sciences program.”

During his nearly five-year stint at the university, Clark published several research articles as well as served on local, state, national and international professional organizational boards.

His hard work and dedication to the field ultimately culminated in a faculty position offer from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

“I am currently an assistant professor and the associate graduate program director for the school of health professions,” says Clark. “I enjoy working side-by-side with our graduate students as they submit their own clinical research for publication. It’s exciting to watch these students create their own professional network and become the next generation of researchers.”

Clark continues to publish his own research focused on innovative instructional strategies to help medical imaging professionals make the transition from the clinical environment to the classroom setting as well as participate in clinical research specific to cancer care.

He was recently recognized as the 2021 Distinguished Person of the Year by the DeQuincy Chamber of Commerce and was the 2020 recipient of the Jean I. Widger Distinguished Author Award from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.

“I’m thankful for the professors at McNeese who encouraged me throughout my studies and were true role models for the dedication and mentorship that I strive to give my students,” he says.

For more information on McNeese’s radiologic sciences program, visit https://www.mcneese.edu/academics/undergraduate/radiologic-sciences.