Rate My Professor Jazmine Kelley

Dr. Jazmine Kelley serves as the inaugural Director of Access and Engagement in the College of Communication and Information at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Appointed in the summer of 2024, she leads comprehensive initiatives in recruitment, retention, student success, faculty development, strategic planning, and institutional transformation. Collaborating with college leadership, faculty, staff, and students, Kelley fosters a supportive and thriving environment that emphasizes accessibility and opportunity. Her office promotes exposure to diverse cultures, people, and ideas to enhance intellectual inquiry, critical thinking, and competence in communication and information disciplines. She oversees the Communication and Information Leadership Collective (CILC), which curates undergraduate experiences for self-discovery, professional development, and community building. Participation in CILC programs is open to all students in communication and information fields, supporting academic and personal growth through collaboration.

Kelley directs the Nexus Living Learning Community (LLC) for the college and contributes to housing initiatives that align with CCI goals. She earned her Ed.D. in Higher Education from the University of Mississippi in 2024, with a dissertation titled 'Examining Institutional Effectiveness Planning as a Tool to Advance Student Success Outcomes for Underrepresented Males.' This work analyzes the relationship between institutional effectiveness and student success for underrepresented males using identity-conscious engagement theories, offering recommendations for practice and a theoretical framework. In 2025, Kelley served as a principal investigator on the University of Tennessee System's UT Wellness Mini Grant for 'Vol Strolls: A Wellness Podcast on the Move,' a student-led project blending mindfulness, storytelling, and movement to make wellness accessible. Through these efforts, she builds community and elevates access and engagement within the College of Communication and Information.