Biography

Daniel Kelley is an Associate Teaching Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Rhode Island. He brings over two decades of experience in K–12 education, including 17 years as a building principal. As the former principal of Smithfield High School in Smithfield, RI, Dan led impactful and sustainable change initiatives that strengthened the school’s learning culture and student outcomes.

Dan’s influence extends beyond Rhode Island. He served as president of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) during the 2017–2018 school year and spent five years on the NASSP Board of Directors. His diverse educational background includes roles as a high school assistant principal, a special education teacher at both the middle and high school levels, and a middle school math and science teacher. In 2012, he was honored as the Rhode Island Secondary Principal of the Year for his leadership and commitment to student success.

At URI, Dan leads the development of the new M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy, a program designed to prepare aspiring school leaders through field-based learning and a focus on equity, innovation, and policy. He also provides executive coaching to practicing and aspiring school leaders through his work with the Rhode Island Association of School Principals and other statewide and national initiatives. His current scholarship explores how principals adopt and make sense of artificial intelligence in their leadership practice, focusing on the intersection of emerging technology, strategic decision-making, and human-centered leadership.