Kelly Nelson
Kelly Nelson, graduate student experience coordinator for Student Affairs and the Rossier School of Education, helps graduate students find jobs in the division. She coordinates the application, interview and placement process and organizes the on-campus Preview Day each spring where more than 50 candidates come to campus to interview for positions and learn more about USC and the Division of Student Affairs.
Nelson also spearheads the Graduate Student Experience Committee, which coordinates brown bag lunches; the Student Affairs Mentoring Program and the annual Graduate Student Professional Development Day. She organizes the annual Student Affairs Professional Development conference as well.
“Kelly does an excellent job leading the Graduate Student Experience Committee,” says Patrick Bailey, associate dean of students, Student Life and Involvement. “In addition to leading the Preview Day and the selection process, she and her committee also provide training and development programs for our graduate students.”
Nelson earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sports management from the University of Miami, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in college student affairs from the University of South Florida, and is currently working on her Ed.D. in educational leadership with a concentration in higher education. She plans to graduate in May 2009 and is currently working on her dissertation, which examines how leadership is taught to graduate students in the PASA program.
When she’s not working or writing her dissertation, Nelson enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband, Matt Nelson, area director of the Parkside Area for Residential Education, have two daughters--Charlie (3) and Annabelle (10 months). The family lives on campus in Parkside International College.
“We love living here,” says Nelson. “The girls have other kids-in-residence to play with and we have easy access to babysitters! However, Annabelle does get dragged to an occasional meeting when I can't find one.”
After she graduates, Nelson hopes to find a job that allows her to continue the type of work she does for Student Affairs. “I really love working with graduate students who want to work in university administration and I have a serious passion for teaching.”