Albany State University (ASU) is proud to announce that Dr. Kristene Kelly has been named the Director of Athletics.

"Dr. Kelly presents notable expertise, vision, and passion for athletics and student success which makes her an excellent fit for the university," said President Marion Ross Fedrick. "With the upcoming athletic season, I look forward to her strategic initiatives that will showcase the excellence at ASU both on the field and in the classroom."

Originally from St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, Kelly brings a wealth of experience in collegiate sports spanning over 20 years. Most recently, she has served as the Deputy Athletic Director for Internal Affairs/Senior Woman Administrator at Vanderbilt University, a Power 5 institution in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC). In this role, she effectively managed various internal divisions, including sports performance (applied sports science, sports medicine, strength & conditioning, nutrition, mental health), academics, compliance, human resources, and the recreation center.

Dr. Kelly boasts one of the most diverse resumes in all of college athletics having worked at all three NCAA divisions. In addition to her time at Vanderbilt, she worked at Dartmouth College as the Senior Associate AD/SWA before being promoted to Executive Associate AD/SWA (2018-2020), Keene State College as Director of Athletics and Recreation (2016-2018), Saint Augustine's University as Associate AD/SWA as well as Assistant Professor and Department Chair (2009-2016), and Johnson C. Smith University as Sports Information Director (2002-2009).

Kelly twice earned the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Senior Woman Administrator of the Year award (2011, 2013) and at the time was just the second female to be named the CIAA John Holley SID of the Year in 2005. During her two seasons, Keene State had six teams advance to the NCAA postseason, including the 2016-17 men's basketball team that advanced to the Elite Eight. Nearly 200 student-athletes were recognized as Little East Conference All-Academic performers during her tenure as well. While at Dartmouth College, Kelly was responsible for oversight of all of Dartmouth's 35 varsity sports at the NCAA Division I level.

A 2000 graduate of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, with two bachelor's degrees in physical education and communication arts, Kelly began her career in collegiate athletics as an academic counselor and graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee in the 2001-02 school year. She completed her degree the following year while starting a job at her alma mater as SID. In 2014, she earned her doctoral degree of Education in Sport Management from the United States Sports Academy.

Kelly has significant expertise in NCAA compliance, Title IX, athletic fundraising, and managing budgets exceeding $2 million. Notably, she also oversaw a program that achieved a national championship, demonstrating her expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence.

"I am thrilled and honored to be named the new Director of Athletics at Albany State University," remarked Dr. Kristene Kelly. "Returning to the vibrant atmosphere of Historically Black Colleges and Universities fills me with an exhilarating sense of joy and purpose. I am immensely grateful to President Fedrick and the Search Committee for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Coach Skinner for his invaluable services as the Interim AD and I am grateful for his contributions to the program. I am excited to contribute my passion, expertise and dedication to further empower our student-athletes and foster a thriving athletic program that represents the rich legacy of HBCUs."

Kelly is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and is happily married to Jonathan Kelly Sr. Together they have one son, Jonathan Jr., who will attend Albany State University this fall.