Kelley Ditzel, Ph.D., CNP
SENIOR AFFILIATE
Kelley Ditzel, Ph.D. is a thought leader, educator and applied researcher who, through her multifaceted work experiences, utilizes research to drive equitable solutions and work with communities to enact positive change. Currently an Assistant Professor of Public Administration at Georgia College & State University, Kelley teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in public administration. She considers herself a “pracademic” who thoroughly enjoys experiential learning with students and remains connected to the public sector through local nonprofit partnerships and consulting work within the local middle Georgia community and nationally. She also previously directed both the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) Certificate Program and Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership & Management.
Prior to joining Georgia College, Kelley worked in nonprofits and philanthropy for 15 years where she created programs, led research efforts, and developed strategies to measure impact and drive change. As Director of Research & Policy at Southern Education Foundation (SEF), Kelley developed and executed research and advocacy efforts for advancing equity and educational excellence in the South. She created and led research and policy initiatives to inform strategic decision-making and drove thought leadership including the Southern Policy & Practice Network. Prior to joining SEF, Kelley was a Director on the Planning and Measurement team at Boys Girls Clubs of America where she evaluated youth development outcomes for approximately 4 million young people. She designed and executed research projects to identify success factors for over 4,000 Club sites including management of a national randomized control trial on a summer learning program and management of a national Return on Investment (ROI) study, both of which offered critical insights on the impact of youth development programming. Kelley was also Vice President of Research, Evaluation & Data at Junior Achievement of Georgia where she streamlined the evaluation and program management processes for the organization in order to improve program effectiveness and outcomes for youth. She also led an inaugural study, entitled “Graduation Pathways,” which focused on improving high school graduation rates and postsecondary attainment. Other experience includes developing a comprehensive data system to support early literacy and learning, creating and directing the Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) focused on policy and leadership for the state of Georgia, and analysis of statewide public education data to provide recommendations and future implementation considerations for a state education agency.
Kelley received a Ph.D. in Public Policy from a joint program with Georgia State University and the Georgia Institute of Technology and a B.A. in Political Science from Wake Forest University. Other educational experiences include classroom teaching through Teach for America and a CORO Fellowship in Public Affairs.
Originally from Shaker Heights, OH, Kelley relocated from Atlanta to middle Georgia with her husband and two young sons. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., serves on the Board for Habitat for Humanity Milledgeville-Baldwin County, and thoroughly enjoys volunteering at her boys’ her extraordinary, public elementary school.