Her Story
About Kelsey
Kelsey Whaley is the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Communications at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. In her current role, she leads athletic communications strategy for the department, overseeing media relations, storytelling, and brand development during a pivotal period in the university’s transition from NCAA Division III to Division I. She has played a key role in shaping how the program is positioned within the highly competitive Twin Cities sports media landscape, particularly as the institution entered its first year of NCAA postseason eligibility.
Prior to her current position, she served as Athletics Communications Director at Luther College, as Assistant Director of Athletic Communications at St. Cloud State University, and as Sports Information Director at St. Catherine University. Earlier in her career, she also worked with the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, where she supported championship operations, communications initiatives, and digital content development. Across these roles, she built experience in media relations, statistical reporting, and multi-platform storytelling across radio, television, digital, and print.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communication and Media Studies and Music from St. Norbert College, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a 3.89 GPA. Her professional focus centers on collegiate athletic communications, with expertise in sports journalism, branding, and stakeholder engagement within higher education athletics. Her background reflects a consistent progression through increasingly senior roles in athletic communications across Division III and Division I institutions.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kelsey
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, dedication, and a strong commitment to staying focused on my goals. I strive to lead by example, remain open to new opportunities and challenges, and continuously push myself to grow. I also place great importance on treating others with kindness and respect, and I find fulfillment in making a positive difference in the people and environments I work with.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that success comes from perseverance and never giving up, even when challenges arise. I’ve also learned the importance of advocating for those in need, using my voice and position to support others whenever possible. In addition, I’ve been reminded that the more I learn, the more I grow, and that continuous learning is essential to long-term personal and professional development.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to be ambitious and confident in your goals, even if they feel out of reach at first. Embrace your individuality, as your unique perspective is a strength that sets you apart. Stay focused on your dreams and don’t allow others to discourage or define your path—consistency, resilience, and self-belief will carry you far.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges that my staff and I face every day is how to tell the story of St. Thomas when we are in the Twin Cities media market with every single professional team you could have - the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Wilds, Wolves, Lynx - and also the University of Minnesota. We're like 9 of 12 on the depth chart in terms of garnering that media coverage and excitement. It was easy our first three years of the transition because we were doing all of these newsworthy things. And so now that we're through our first season of eligibility, what's the turn? What is St. Thomas going to be now? What is our brand going to be? What is our story gonna be? It's really exciting to get to be a part of that. It's a bit daunting, but I'm really excited for the challenge that that presents, and what this year is going to look like.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are ensuring that my voice is heard and that I confidently express my opinions, as I believe they matter. I also value continuous education and ongoing personal growth, as learning helps me stay effective and adaptable. In addition, I prioritize being a strong team player and remaining goal-driven, as collaboration and focus are essential to achieving meaningful results.
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