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Why did you decide to attend UW-Parkside?

I decided to attend UW Parkside because of its popular and highly respected pre-health and Psychology degree offerings.

What activities were you involved in at UW-Parkside?

I was heavily involved in the theater department (acting, scene/set building, makeup/costumes, stage managing etc.) as well as Psychology Club.

How did your UW-Parkside experience impact your professional or personal life?

Sitting in an English 167 class and being asked to discuss a short story we had read and the student in front of me turned to discuss-she became my best friend (to this day) of 30 years now.

Tell us about someone who influenced your time at UW-Parkside. 

I had many professors but the one who changed my mind the most was an art professor whose work is scattered around this university to this day. Professor David Holmes, in an Art Appreciation class that I definitely DID NOT want to take because I hate art and don’t understand it, did exactly what the title of the class was-he helped me to understand some of the most prolific art scattered around the world and to appreciate the artist and art alike. When students ask me why they take Gen Ed classes, I use this example and that never in a million years did I think art would connect to my major of Psychology and then later to my law enforcement career. You just never know.

What has been one of the top highlights of your career?

Having the opportunity to watch and be a part of our students’ lives as they grow and become contributing members of society. Having the opportunity in their classrooms and during programs to educate them on Law Enforcement and being given the opportunity to help bridge the comprehension of the relationship between police officers and the public has been a great experience for me.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life or your career and why?

The survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence I have had the absolute honor of getting to know through their cases and contacts with me has taught me how to appreciate and mitigate trauma. I get up and come to work every day because of their strength. 

Have you been involved with UW-Parkside post-graduation?

Yes-as I have worked here my entire career. Training programs, safety programs, participation in various goings on in official and un-official capacity.

Tell us about your family.

Blood family: My 2 children, Tyler and Markie, are my rock. In their adult lives, now, they have become my best friends and my sounding board. My mother and sister and brother/sister-in-law and niece and nephew are super supporters in everything I do. I have an amazing support system that has allowed me to rise to this level in my career. I am blessed with a family who comes together when something happens and does not, instead, fracture. Having done this job for these many years, I truly understand how lucky I am to experience that with my family.

Blue Family: The officers, dispatchers, and employees in my police department, current and retired alike, are truly a second family. The support and comradery in our department, dare I say, is unlike any other department on campus by far. 

Chosen Family: There are people across my life, both work and personal, whom I consider chosen family. Despite a bloodline, they are just as important to me and I lean on them. We lean on each other. I cherish my chosen family. 

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. -Maya Angelou

What is your favorite hobby?

I have 3 big ones-

  1. I make cupcakes with detailed fondant and buttercream designs

  2. I watercolor

  3. I make greeting cards

What is something that would surprise us about you?

I wear eyeglasses with interchangeable tops and I have over 130 different tops for my glasses. 

 I love glitter and sequins -when I am not in uniform, I love to be in or have anything shiny or glittery on.

Huge fan of the Golden Girls!

What advice do you have for current UW-Parkside Students?

Make the most of your time here. Take advantage of the professors teaching you vs Teaching assistants at larger schools, get involved, reach out because everyone here is eager to help you rise to be the best person you can be. Learn skills that put you ahead of others, take advantage of our career resources. Smart people ask questions.

Kelly has been an active police officer at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Police Department since 1998. She has achieved the highest position that exists in law enforcement as the newly appointed Chief of Police and is the very first female chief in the history of the University; breaking the barrier in a male dominated field. 

Within this role, she is often sought after and leaned upon for answers and opinions within her department. Faculty, staff, and students alike, utilize her expertise in hate crimes, sexual assault and domestic violence education, and human trafficking and victimology regularly. She is the lead Evidence Technician and property manager for the Parkside Police department, the lead Sexual Assault investigator, and was the Chair of the Sexual Assault Response Team ( SART) for Kenosha County for seven years. Kelly was appointed to the statewide Attorney General’s SART by the Attorney General of Wisconsin and remains the only campus police officer representative statewide on this team. Kelly makes sure that UW-Parkside and all UW System schools are considered when discussing legislature or other topics going forward on this team.  Her appointed position on the state SART reflects the impact of her dedication to the community as she remains part of both the Legislative Work group and Culturally Relevant Workgroup. These aspects of her role on the SART display her efforts in bringing forth legislation at the state level regarding sexual assault related topics and discussing how advocacy and law enforcement can be more culturally relevant when responding to sexual assaults statewide. 

Her level of knowledge within these fields offers a connection between not only herself and the members of Parkside’s campus, but with the police department and the outside community and state as a whole. During press releases at the state capitol or any time she speaks publicly, she proudly wears her UW-Parkside Police uniform and makes sure everyone knows what University she represents and that UW-Parkside continues to be included in conversations and considerations. Kelly was appointed to head the Kenosha Sexual Assault Kit Initiative in which, over a span of two years, five law enforcement agencies, the DA’s office, and community advocacy, were brought together to identify old sexual assault cases for testing in order to identify serial perpetrators across the state. 

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