Bringing a Love of Language to Life

Little did Kevin Edgell, CAS ’20, know that a high school course would ignite a love of language that would shape his career path. “I took Spanish for the first time in 10th grade and fell in love with it,” Edgell says. “My teacher was very inspirational and spoke to our class about studying abroad, so that’s when the seed was planted in my mind.”

Having always excelled in math and science, Edgell planned to follow in his brother’s footsteps and major in engineering at OU when he transferred from Macomb Community College. But his special interest in Spanish only intensified after he spent two weeks in Madrid taking a summer course. “When I found myself spending all my free time studying Spanish, I knew that’s what I wanted to pursue,” he says.

At Oakland, Edgell declared his major in Spanish language and literature with a minor in linguistics. After sharing with OU faculty that he wanted to explore possibilities for grad school and work in education, he was further motivated by their encouragement and support. “My OU professors said, ‘We’ve done it and we can help you,’” Edgell says. “I didn’t plan to be as involved on campus as I was, but they were adamant that I be involved.”

Edgell immersed himself in countless campus activities. He served as president of the Spanish and Linguistics clubs; was treasurer for Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society; served as student chair of the Multicultural and Hispanic Heritage Month Planning committees; and published work in Nuestras Voces, OU’s Spanish-language journal. “These experiences gave me a strong passion to pursue language, research and leadership opportunities beyond the classroom, and ultimately helped to shape my decision to become an educator,” he explains.

As a senior at OU, Edgell took the next step toward fulfilling his dream to teach abroad. He applied and was accepted into a teaching program in Spain and moved there after graduation. “I began my time in Madrid as an English language assistant and used what I learned at OU to help students strengthen their language skills,” he says.

Edgell went on to earn a master’s in teaching and later obtained his Michigan teaching license while living in Madrid. “That journey opened the door for me to work at an international American school, where I now teach middle and high school math in a completely bilingual, multicultural environment,” he says. “I’m fortunate to work with incredible groups of students from Spain and all over the world.”

Edgell shares the profound impact of his OU education and faculty mentorship with his own students by providing meaningful learning experiences that inspire their curiosity and personal growth. “I was fortunate to have incredible professors at OU who inspired me to take the leap and move abroad after graduation,” Edgell says. “I see a bit of each of them in the way I teach, connect with students and approach challenges every day.”