Ronald Kelly standing on the Penn State Schuylkill campus.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Ronald Kelly, a longtime faculty member at Penn State Schuylkill, has been promoted to associate teaching professor of criminal justice, effective July 1, 2025, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to teaching, research and service.
For 18 years, Kelly has been a central figure in the Administration of Justice program, serving as a lecturer, assistant teaching professor, and program coordinator. He also oversees several minors and certificate programs, including sociology; civic and community engagement; and crime, psychology and public policy.
Known for his engaging and inclusive teaching style, Kelly has taught courses across criminal justice, psychology, statistics, and first-year seminars, using online, hybrid and in-person formats. He incorporates campus resources such as the Media Commons and One-Button Studio, and he champions the use of Open Educational Resources to promote affordable learning.
“Ron’s deep commitment to students, innovation in teaching, and passion for community engagement make him an invaluable member of our campus,” said Cory Scherer, interim chancellor of Penn State Schuylkill. “This promotion recognizes the incredible impact he’s had on both his students and our broader university community.”
Kelly emphasizes real-world application in his classes, incorporating group projects and experiential learning to connect theory with practice. He has led two international student trips, including a recent visit to Copenhagen with students from both World Campus and Schuylkill.
He also is a campus leader in professional development and has completed coursework for an English as a Second Language certification. In that role, he advises ESL students and collaborates with local businesses on continuing education programs.
Kelly's research focuses on leadership in policing, victimology and corrections. He is completing a doctorate in educational leadership at Alvernia University, with a dissertation on police leadership and turnover. His research has been accepted for presentation at the 2025 Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences conference in Denver.
He advises multiple student organizations, including the award-winning Criminal Justice Club and THON, and he has received numerous awards for his teaching, advising and service. He also chairs the campus committee on the promotion of teaching-line faculty and has helped advance the careers of seven colleagues in that role.
Kelly is the founder and director of the E.P.I.C.S. program (Excellence in Performance, Innovation, Citizenship and Sustainability), which supports first-year student success through mentorship, workshops and community engagement. The program has secured more than $65,000 in grant funding since its inception.
