Biography
With more than 30 years of experience as a results-driven leader in the public, private, nonprofit and government sectors, Dr. Kelly O. Chezum ‘04, Vice President for Government, Corporate & Foundation Relations, leads Clarkson’s integrated government relations and collaborates across the University to advance strategic community, corporate and foundation partnerships that move forward research innovations, talent acquisition and workforce development, admissions, alumni relations and philanthropic investments.
On behalf of the University, she also commits her energy to economic development initiatives advancing the quality of life in New York’s Adirondack North Country as well as several national committees and regular speaking engagements for the Association of Governing Boards, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and the Association of Independent Technological Universities. She is the President of the Board of Directors for the Adirondack North Country Association and past Education Program Chair for Women's Entrepreneurship Day at the United Nations (WED), where she was also a recipient of the WED organization's Education Pioneer Award. She has been honored by the NYS Senate in its nominations of Women of Distinction for her contributions to the area community.
She served as a member of the Adirondack Global Sports Commission that developed the plan for international tourism opportunities including the International Children's Games that came to the region in 2019 and World University Winter Games in 2023. She is a also a director on the Public Policy Institute for the New York State Business Council; a member of the Workforce Committee for the North Country Regional Economic Development Council; and a member of the Education Committee for the New York State Economic Development Corporation. Dr. Chezum was the director of Corporate & Foundation Relations during the last Campaign for Clarkson where she made numerous alumni and partner connections and collaborated with faculty and staff to raise more than $77 million in private support. She is also Clarkson’s representative to the Potsdam, St. Lawrence County and North Country Chambers of Commerce.
Prior to coming to Clarkson, she was on the marketing and client relations team for Aramark’s Campus Services division with primary responsibilities in New York and New Jersey for maximizing sales growth. Her background includes bank marketing, book and magazine publishing with key roles in direct mail campaigns; and public relations, resident initiatives and grant writing for one of the largest public housing agencies in the country. She did her undergraduate studies in marketing and communications at Carroll University (WI) and is a graduate of Clarkson’s M.B.A. program. Dr. Chezum earned her doctorate in law and policy from Northeastern University (MA).