Kelsey Kimball

I attribute my success primarily to my upbringing, especially my family. I am incredibly family-oriented, and I have always been grateful to have parents, grandparents, and close relatives who provided unwavering support throughout my life. We are a very close-knit family, and my grandmother was truly my best friend growing up. My family always had high expectations for me, but not in a way that created uncomfortable pressure. Instead, they encouraged me to pursue what made me happy and to take pride in whatever I chose to do. They taught me that success comes from living in alignment with your values and being proud of the person you become. Because of that, I developed a strong sense of identity rooted in my values, passions, and goals. I've always loved working with children, which led me to pursue a minor in Family and Child Sciences. During college, I volunteered with organizations supporting children with learning disabilities, including programs in Tallahassee that became some of my most meaningful experiences. Those opportunities helped shape my understanding of the kind of impact I wanted to make in the world. My first year of college was challenging because I was so far away from my family. At one point, I seriously considered dropping out. I talked with my mom and grandmother every day through FaceTime, leaning on them for guidance and reassurance. They helped me understand that sometimes personal growth requires stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking a journey for yourself, even when it's difficult. While I have always had strong family support, I also developed independence at a young age. I've often been described as a latchkey kid because I learned early on how to handle responsibilities on my own. I am still very Type A, but I think that confidence comes from knowing I have a strong foundation to fall back on. Even today, I still call my mom at least once a day. As I've gotten older, I've also learned the importance of creating your own family. When I moved to Melbourne five years ago, I built friendships with two incredible women who have become like sisters to me. We work together at Florida Tech, and they support me in ways I never imagined possible. Even though they aren't related to me by blood, they are family in every sense of the word. Ultimately, I attribute my success to the support system I've been fortunate enough to have throughout my life. Family, friends, mentors, and loved ones provide the encouragement that helps you push through difficult days. They remind you of your purpose when you feel discouraged and give you the strength to keep moving forward. I truly believe that having those meaningful connections makes all the difference, and I hope everyone has people in their lives who offer that same kind of support and love.

I would say, honestly, to have faith and to make active plans for what you're wanting to do, but not to go too far into the future. One thing I've learned is the importance of living in the moment. We hear that a lot, and it can sound like a cliche, but I've realized those cliches exist for a reason because they carry truth. When I stay grounded in the present, I start to trust that things will happen the way they're supposed to. For me, that means knowing myself first before jumping into conclusions or decisions. It comes back to understanding my values and being clear about who I am. My mom always said it in a simple way: you can't expect someone to love you before you love yourself. That idea really became real for me as I went through self-discovery and started figuring out who I was. I reached a point where I wasn't necessarily focused on finding a relationship. I was more focused on becoming comfortable with myself. I honestly didn't expect to find my husband during that time. I had even reached a place where I thought I might be okay focusing on other paths in life, including adopting a child because I've always loved children and knew I wanted to be a mother. I wasn't really focused on the idea of a husband at that point. But then he came into my life, and it truly felt like a blessing I didn't know I needed. Since then, it has been one of the happiest parts of my life, and I can't imagine my life without him. What I've realized is that a lot of people, especially women in higher education and in professional spaces, reach a place where they are independent and driven, but sometimes that independence comes with overworking or pushing themselves too hard. We build strength, but not always in a way that allows us to rest or feel balanced. So for me, it's about being intentional with what I want in my life, both in work and relationships, and allowing myself space to pursue those things without draining myself. Setting those kinds of healthy boundaries, without guilt, is what helps me stay aligned with my purpose and what I want for my future.

Transparency is a core value I carry both professionally and personally. In my work in Title IX, transparency is essential, not just within our office, but across the entire campus community. I've seen how being open and clear has changed the dynamic of our office and how people receive information. It has helped remove the taboo surrounding Title IX and created a more approachable and informed environment. A big part of that is clarity. Title IX policies are often detailed and lengthy, sometimes 35 pages or more, but that level of detail is necessary. The steps must be clear, the process must be clear, and students need to know what to expect next. Many students come into these situations unsure of what to do or who to turn to, so transparency helps reduce confusion and fear. That same principle carries into personal life. I believe in being transparent with people so you are not left guessing what someone is thinking or feeling. In my close friendships, we often remind each other that we are not responsible for another person's emotions. We can act with good intent, but that does not guarantee a positive impact. This is something I also emphasize in Title IX education: intent versus impact. Your intention can be positive, but if the impact on the other person is negative, that impact still matters. In fact, the focus has to be on the impact, what the other person experienced and received, not just what was intended. Otherwise, we risk invalidating their feelings by saying that wasn't what I meant. This perspective has shaped both my professional and personal life. Whether it's in interpersonal conflict, counseling, or workplace communication, focusing on impact helps create more accountability and understanding. It shifts the conversation from defending intent to understanding experience. At the core of all of this is integrity and authenticity. When you are truthful and consistent in who you are and how you communicate, your actions and impact are more likely to align. Being authentic in leadership, policy, and relationships creates stronger, more meaningful connections. Ultimately, I've come to believe that when you live with transparency, integrity, and authenticity, things tend to unfold as they are meant to. My husband and I often remind ourselves that we trust the process, the idea that things will end up the way they are supposed to.