Kevin Lein, Ed.D.

Dr. Kevin Lein is an education professor at Wayne State College. His experience includes 15 years as a K-12 administrator and coach at every level and function; 25 years serving in higher education as an instructor, coach, and administrator; six years as a K-12 teacher; and various levels of involvement in educational government and leadership, including school board member.

Dr. Lein has been focused on innovative practices, in particular system reform that will match individualized learning, complete engagement, and mastery. Dr. Lein initiated the evolution of customized learning (Personalized Competency-Based Education) in South Dakota while a principal at Hanson (6-12) and Harrisburg High Schools, and Camelot Elementary in Brookings, S.D. Dr. Lein is also connected to restorative practice and hybrid learning platforms integrating technology ubiquitously to enhance student/teacher relationships, which now include AI influences and opportunities.  He is currently studying school hierarchy and complete deletion of alternative, SPED, and ELL programs as they are currently constructed. He has advocated for "An IEP for Every Student" and presented locally, regionally, and nationally. He is the sole remaining member from grant to implementation of the Reimagine Education Model (REM-2021) in South Dakota, a 7.2-million dollar federal grant to recognize and cultivate education innovation in the state, and is a founding member of the Principal Recovery Network that assists schools that have endured shooting tragedies. Dr. Lein was named Alumnus of the Year at Mount Marty in October 2025 and selected as a WSC Faculty Spotlight subject in December 2025.

Dr. Lein was an All-American basketball player and still holds every assist record at Mount Marty College (records now that have lasted for 46 years) and was inducted into his hometown (Hampton, Iowa) and Mount Marty's Hall of Fame. Dr. Lein was twice named South Dakota College Coach of the Year during his tenure as a college basketball coach. Dr. Lein was also named as a Hochsprung Memorial Hero in 2017 as a victim of a school shooting in 2015. He is currently a founding member of the Principal Recovery Network of school principals who assist schools and personnel in the event of school shootings and tragedies and now support legislation for safe U.S. schools. He was Principal of the Year in South Dakota in 2016 and Innovator of the Year in 2018 and honored as a lifetime member of the NASSP in 2022. Dr. Lein was a featured speaker at the White House in February 2024 during sessions related to gun violence prevention.

Education
Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction, College of Saint Mary
M.S. Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, University of South Dakota
B.S. Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, South Dakota State University
B.S. Elementary Education, University of South Dakota
B.A. Journalism/English/Business, Mount Marty College