Biography

Shelby Kiley is an Academic Advisor in the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program at the University of Rhode Island. She grew up with a strong belief that education is a privilege, a value instilled by her mother who did not have the opportunity to attend college. Shelby began her own higher education journey at a community college before transferring to a four-year university, where she earned her degree in History. Her professional path has been rooted in higher education, with experience as an administrative assistant, academic advisor, and program coordinator for educational technology. After six years in the field, she returned to school while working full time and earned her master’s degree in Human Resource Development. As a mentor, Shelby is committed to helping students feel that they belong at URI and that support is always available. She understands firsthand the challenges of navigating college systems without family experience and works to ensure students feel guided and supported throughout their journey. She encourages students to recognize that asking for help is a difficult but essential skill, especially for first-generation college students, and supports them in areas such as identity development, academic planning, and confidence building.