Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy awarded to JSCC Faculty Member

During the Jackson State Community College (JSCC) Foundation’s Fall Board Meeting, Dr. Jeff Sisk, Executive Director, Center for Workforce Development at the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) presented on behalf of TBR Chancellor Flora Tydings the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy to Dr. Andrew Kelley for giving more than $10,000 of his personal funds to the JSCC Foundation during his tenure. 

Dr. Kelley, a professor of English at JSCC of 36 years, established the Student Relief Fund to assist students experiencing financial hardships, a fund that has since raised more than $30,000 in financial relief since its inception in 2011. Following the inception of the fund, he was awarded the Faculty of the Year Award from the JSCC Alumni Association. He also helped to establish and continues to coordinate the Dr. Benna K. Kime Writing Award to honor the memory of a distinguished colleague and encourage academic excellence for students. He established and coordinates the English Faculty Emeritus Award and also coordinates the Humanities Award for students. During his tenure, he was awarded the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Award for Innovation in Teaching Excellence because of his groundbreaking teaching methods used in the classroom. 

Dr. Kelley is a major advocate on campus for JSCC, so much so that he was the first donor for the college’s Ned R. McWherter Center when it was built and he is also a strong supporter of the Innovation Ensemble, JSCC’s performance vocal choir that performs alongside the Jackson Symphony and at venues across West Tennessee. 

“It’s through people like Dr. Kelley, we get to empower students to chase after their educational dreams,” said Director of Donor Relations and Programs Lindsey Tritt. “He has such a selfless heart for students, to see them succeed, and to encourage them along the way. He is an inspiration and mentor to many, and we can’t thank him enough for the impact he has made for the Foundation and our students.” 

Dr. Kelley’s mantra is “Teaching is not a job; it’s a calling.” Through that calling and because of Dr. Kelley’s generosity, JSCC students have received scholarships to remove the financial barrier that otherwise would have kept them from earning a degree. His contributions have assisted students with unforeseen financial insecurities through the student relief program he established, and he has been able to help students reach their full potential and provide a brighter future for them. 

Dr. Kelley is a native Tennessean from Memphis who attended Rhodes College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. Following his graduation, he volunteered for the United States Army, serving four years and later using the G.I. Bill to earn his Master of Arts in English at the University of Memphis. He became a faculty member at Southwest Tennessee Community College and then obtained his Doctor of Arts in English Language and Literature at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor through the G.I. Bill and returned to continue teaching at Southwest. During his 36-year tenure at JSCC, he has served on countless committees to help shape the future of the college and served as chair of the English department seven years. 

Outside of his work in the classroom, Dr. Kelley has enjoyed tailoring and designing for many years. He designed and tailored a suit for a JSCC student competing at the Miss Tennessee Pageant that was made of 100-percent silk among many other garments for other JSCC community members. He also prepared a week’s supply of skirts and blouses for a student whose house was destroyed by fire. 

If you would like to help support Dr. Kelley’s student relief fund, you can make donations at jscc.edu/give.