Dr. Diane Kelley

UWF degree and year of graduation:
B.A., English -1978; Masters, .Ed. Leadership – 1991; Specialist, Curriculum & Instruction – Ed. Leadership- 1994 and Ed.D., Ed. Leadership – 1997

Why did you choose to attend UWF?
There were several reasons for my choice of attending UWF; I have undergrad degrees or certifications from Troy and FSU, as well as UWF. UWF is very accommodating, local and offered what I needed to fulfill my personal career goals.

What were your goals as a student?
I wanted to do many things, but I understood that there were building blocks towards my education and career goals. For instance, I always wanted to teach and the end goal was to become a master teacher to increase my knowledge and become better at that craft. I received my master’s degree which allowed me to move into an administrative role. After my specialist’s degree, I moved into a district position with the Technology and Media department. After that, I worked with Dr. Olson and Dr. Berry on my doctorate in education and am proud of the fact that I am one of the first five students to graduate from UWF in the Ed.D. program.

What is your best memory from your days at UWF?
UWF really fosters “thinking outside the box” in terms of enabling students to explore the areas they want to pursue. For instance, my course background prepared me for an opportunity to work via a grant through the University of Virginia to develop a video documentary in Australia for CASENEX, which was a cutting edge approach to education using real-life scenarios (cases). It was an online vehicle to teach about educational challenges and offer students the opportunity to resolve them at a distance. I was later able to team-teach with Dr. Olson using this method at UWF.

Who was your favorite professor and why?
There were several key individuals that I would like to mention: Dr. Barry and Dr. Olson were both great about providing guidance towards advanced degrees and allowing me the opportunity to experience teaching at the graduate level. Also, Dr. Pilcher, Dr. Rasmussen and Dr. Northrop, collectively, prepared me--- through the technology courses--- for my roles at the Okaloosa County School district, where I helped develop the district’s homepage, OkaloosaSchools.com. and Okaloosa On-line, a franchise of Florida Virtual School (an option for high school students to take on-line courses).

What do you do now?
I am the Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction for the Okaloosa County School District.

How did UWF help you progress to this point?
Every step forward that I’ve taken in my career has been at least in part due to the preparation I received through the courses and experiences I gained at UWF. Overall, it was a confidence builder for me. Having grown up on a working farm, I had obtained a strong work ethic, but my education prepared me for the various possibilities for careers in education.

Outside of work, what activities and organizations are you currently involved in and what are your personal interests?
I am a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Delta Kappa Gamma, the Gideons International Auxiliary,and First Baptist Church of Niceville. My hobbies include being an avid reader, playing piano, collecting antiques, and hiking.

How do you stay connected to UWF?
I am an adjunct instructor from time to time for UWF. Also, I enjoy reading the UWF Connection and anything on-line about the university.

What advice do you have to current and future UWF students?
Plan your work and work your plan. Students should network with their professors because they can provide much guidance and background knowledge.

What quality makes UWF special or unique?
It is student-centered university. It is also a very inviting, safe atmosphere in which students may explore their life goals.

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