Kelly Presley, MBA
Kelly Presley, MBA is an experienced higher education marketing and communications professional with 20 years of experience spanning enrollment marketing, student affairs, teaching, and creative strategy. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Enrollment Marketing and Communications at Sam Houston State University, where she leads the creative direction for enrollment marketing initiatives. In this role, she oversees the full spectrum of prospective student-facing communications including email campaigns, social media content, website updates, and visual branding while ensuring alignment with institutional standards and Salesforce-driven marketing systems. She also serves as a key partner in shaping the university’s enrollment messaging strategy and maintaining a consistent, engaging brand presence. Prior to her current position, Kelly spent approximately five years in Student Affairs, where she worked closely with students in a highly student-centered environment that deepened her passion for engagement and support services. She also brings experience as a high school educator and currently teaches business courses as an adjunct professor. Her career path has been nontraditional but purpose-driven; she began her educational journey later in life while raising four daughters and balancing significant personal responsibilities. Through determination and perseverance, she earned her Bachelor’s degree and later completed her MBA from the University of Phoenix, with consideration of pursuing a doctorate in the future. Kelly is especially passionate about supporting first-generation college students, drawing from her own experience as a first-generation student and parent. Her work is guided by a strong commitment to student success, access, and empowerment, particularly for those navigating higher education for the first time. She is known for her creativity, strategic mindset, and dedication to helping students feel seen, valued, and excited about their academic journey. Her personal motto to her children and students alike is to “know your worth and know that you deserve a place in the room any room you choose to be in.”
• From Likes to Leads: Interact with Customers Online
• Attract and Engage Customers with Digital Marketing
• Foundations of Project Management
• Foundations of Digital Marketing and E-commerce
• Cybersecurity Awareness: Phishing Attacks
• Project Planning: Putting It All Together
• Project Initiation: Starting a Successful Project
• Collaboration (MBA)
• Critical Thinking (MBA)
• Giving and Receiving Feedback
• University of Phoenix - BS, Business Administration and Management, General
• University of Phoenix - MBA
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance, adaptability, and a strong sense of purpose. As a first-generation college student with a nontraditional path, I learned early on how to navigate challenges, stay focused, and continue moving forward even when things were difficult. That perseverance has been a defining factor in both my personal and professional journey.
I also believe my success comes from being student-centered in everything I do. Whether I am developing marketing strategies, teaching, or collaborating across departments, I focus on creating meaningful impact and clear communication that truly serves students.
Finally, I am committed to continuous growth. I am always learning, whether that is through new tools, evolving strategies, or listening to others. I stay grounded in my values, especially my mantra to know your worth, and that has helped guide my decisions and long-term success.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I have ever received is to focus on progress over perfection. It is easy to wait until you feel fully prepared or confident, but growth happens in the process, not before it. Taking action, even when you are unsure, creates momentum and opens doors you cannot see from where you are standing.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Do not underestimate the value of your voice or your perspective. Step into opportunities even if you do not meet every qualification on paper. Be willing to learn, ask questions, and take initiative. Build relationships, stay curious, and remember that your career is not a straight line. Most importantly, believe that you belong in the room, because confidence often grows after you take the seat, not before.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in marketing and higher education right now is cutting through the noise in an increasingly digital and fast-paced environment. Students are more informed and have more choices than ever, which requires institutions to communicate with authenticity, clarity, and purpose.
At the same time, this presents a major opportunity. There is a growing ability to use data, storytelling, and personalized communication to truly connect with students and support their success. The institutions and professionals who can balance strategy with genuine human connection will be the ones who make the greatest impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, perseverance, and empathy are the values that guide everything I do. I believe in doing the right thing, even when it is difficult, and in staying committed through challenges. I also believe in leading with empathy, understanding that everyone is navigating their own journey.
In both my work and personal life, I value creating meaningful impact, supporting others, and building something that extends beyond myself. Success is important, but how you achieve it and how you uplift others along the way matters even more.
Locations
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX 77340