Kelly Kirkwood has been active in the field of international education for the past 10 years. In addition to working in International Programs at Ball State she has served as a Program Manager for The Study Abroad Foundation and Assistant Director of Study Abroad at North Carolina State University.

Kelly holds a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning and a Masters in Student Affairs Administration  from Ball State University. She has studied abroad in both England and Jamaica, worked abroad in Australia, and spent time living in Japan.

In her free time she is working on an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration at Ball State. Her interests include the application of student development theory to education abroad advising, faculty preparation for teaching abroad, and assisting individuals considering future careers in education abroad.