Jon KinneyJonathan Kinney has always been drawn to the mechanics behind how things work. As a child, he was not just playing with toys; he was trying to understand them. That curiosity eventually pointed him toward a degree in engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and launched his future career.

After graduating from high school in Gardendale, Alabama, Kinney enrolled at a local community college; but financial uncertainties forced him to step away from his studies after a semester, prompting a period of reflection that led him to reassess his priorities and redefine his long-term goals.

“I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in engineering, but I did not have scholarships and did not want to take out loans,” Kinney said. “So I decided to pause my higher education journey and pursue another route.”

That decision led him to join the United States Air Force — a move that provided financial stability alongside instilled discipline, resilience and a renewed sense of purpose.

Finding his place at UAB

After completing basic training and technical school, Kinney felt it was time to resume his higher education journey, and now he could accomplish this without going into student loan debt since he would receive financial assistance from the military. As he considered his options, he carefully weighed such factors as academic programs, campus environment and proximity to home. UAB emerged as the clear choice — offering a strong engineering curriculum and a personal connection: His mother is a proud alumna.

Balancing the demands of serving in the Air National Guard with the rigors of a full-time engineering program is no small feat — but Kinney credits his success to the faculty in the School of Engineering.

“I had amazing professors who were able to take complex engineering concepts and break them down to where I could easily comprehend and expand on them,” Kinney said. “I found great professors and inspiring mentors who helped ignite my passion for learning.”

While wearing the many hats of student and service member, Kinney added the title of husband when he married his wife, who graduated from UAB in spring 2023, during his junior year.

His ability to manage these major life commitments speaks to his discipline, resilience, and unwavering determination to pursue both personal and professional growth. He leaned on the encouragement of his biggest supporters, his wife and his mother.

“Being in the military changed everything,” Kinney said. “It gave me discipline, perseverance and a whole new mindset. That made a big difference in how I approached school when I got to UAB.”

That mindset helped him push through long nights of studying and countless hours in labs. With a passion for electronics and coding, Kinney says he found fulfillment in finally working toward the future he had imagined years earlier.

At the beginning of August, Kinney closed the chapter on his military career and is now a veteran. On Aug. 16, he will walk across the stage during the undergraduate commencement ceremony to close another chapter, but is looking forward to what lies ahead with his new career at a local technology company.