Born in Saudi Arabia and raised in California, Kelly Smith attended college in South Carolina and Pennsylvania. She began her education at a community college before earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina Upstate. She also holds a Master of Arts in History from Villanova University and a graduate certificate in Political Science from Sam Houston State University.

With nearly 15 years of experience in higher education, she has worked at the University of South Carolina Upstate, Holy Family University in Philadelphia, and Oregon State University–Cascades. Her professional experience also includes public history, serving as a curator at the Upcountry History Museum and working in education at the Museum of the American Revolution.

Through family and travel from a young age, she developed a love of history. She is grateful to have built a career around that passion, which has taken them across the country. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, photography, solo travel, good food, live music, theatre, and hiking. Also, she enjoys exploring the community with her dog, Gus, who is always ready for a road trip.