Kelly joined HACC in 1996 as dean of Student Services after a long stint at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD.
At Howard Community College, she was director of Student Development, vice president for Quality Management, interim vice president and dean of Students, assistant dean of Students, and director of Records and Registration.
Kelly holds a master's degree in Administrative Science from The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, and a bachelor's degree in Education from Montclair State College, Upper Montclair, NJ.
She also is a Ph.D. candidate in Education Administration, Community College Leadership Program, The University of Texas at Austin, having completed all but her dissertation.
Kelly served on the Middle States Evaluation Team, Community College of Southern MD and Delaware Community College, Wilmington, in 2004 and 2003.
She has presented at numerous national and region conferences, including the Leadership 2000 National Conference, Washington, DC, for the League for Innovation, University of Texas, Kellogg Foundation.
She served as president of the Maryland College Personnel Association and in affirmative action and publications committee chair roles for various organizations.
Kelly is a member of the National Council on Student Development, PA Deans Association, and American Association of Women in Community and Junior Colleges.
She has received numerous awards including that of master teacher, National Institute of Staff Development, in 1990, and was a Kellogg Fellow, University of Texas in 1990-1991.