Stephen Kelly

Stephen Kelly is an experienced professional in higher education with a robust background in project management and innovation in learning environments. Currently serving as the NextGen Student Companion Project and Artificial Intelligence Lead at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Stephen spearheads third-party software integrations as part of a significant digital transformation initiative. Previous roles include Project Manager for NextGen Student Implementation, where Stephen guided the system's response to generative artificial intelligence and directed the migration to Workday ERP. As the Innovation Program Director, Stephen designed the Innovating toward Equity 2030 initiative, managing a $6 million program that funded 134 innovative projects over six years. Earlier experience includes leadership positions at Minnesota Learning Commons and Century College, where Stephen contributed to curriculum development and online education. Stephen holds a Master’s degree in Applied Anthropology and a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Classical Civilization, along with a certificate in Marketing.