Dr. Tony Kline named executive vice president at Trine

Trine University has appointed Tony Kline, Ph.D., to the new role of executive vice president, where he will serve as the principal aide to university President Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D.

“Dr. Kline has provided outstanding leadership to numerous university-wide initiatives while guiding the growth, development and continued success of our academic programs,” said Earl D. Brooks II, Ph.D., Trine University president. “He is a collaborative leader who is always thinking ahead to what we can do to better meet the needs of our students, and I’m confident he will continue to excel and help lead the university to new heights in this new role.”

As executive vice president, Dr. Kline will oversee a wide range of matters of institutional importance, including management of staff, budgets, administrative policies and procedures.

He also will serve as the president’s primary strategic liaison with the Board of Trustees on matters not directly handled by the president, as well as with university and community constituencies on strategic and operational matters.

“I am honored and very appreciative to be able to serve the university in this new capacity,” Dr. Kline said. “Thanks to the visionary leadership of Dr. Brooks and the Board of Trustees, Trine University has been and continues to be an amazing institution of higher learning that equips students to succeed in their lives and careers. I look forward to the opportunity to positively impact even more students in my new position.”

Strong academic leadership

Dr. Kline became vice president for academic affairs (VPAA) in 2023.

Since that time, the university has launched new industry-aligned programs across all academic schools, streamlined and enhanced academic processes and faculty resources, increased support for department chairs, and supported artificial intelligence initiatives for faculty.

Collaborative partnerships across campus have worked to help increase enrollment in academic schools.

Dr. Kline has supported the development of 3+1 bachelor’s plus master’s degree pathways, collaborated with academic schools to increase summer camps for high school students, and supported retention efforts through the enhancement of academic coaching and summer bridge programming for Trine students.

Prior to becoming VPAA, he served as dean of the university’s Franks School of Education.

Under Dr. Kline’s leadership, the Franks School of Education more than tripled in size, from 82 students in fall 2016 to 296 in fall 2023. This comes despite national trends showing fewer students enrolling in teacher education programs.

The school also continued its record of 100% employment for its graduates seeking teaching positions.

Dr. Kline oversaw earned grants and gifts of about $1.7 million that supported faculty in the transformation of classrooms in Shambaugh Hall to incorporate the latest technology, initiate new programs and training, and apply evidence-based teaching methods.

He joined Trine University as an assistant professor in 2013. Prior to working at Trine, he was a faculty instructor and later assistant professor in the Department of Elementary Education at Ball State University, and an elementary teacher at The Orchard School in Indianapolis.

He holds a Ph.D. in education leadership and research, a Master of Arts in special education and a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, all from Ball State University.