Dr. Kellie McKinney

Contact Info

Email: kmckinney [at] rider.edu

Phone Number: 609-895-5636

Department: Graduate Education, Leadership and Counseling

Office Location: Bierenbaum Fisher Hall

Additional Info:

Academic Focus: Organizational Leadership

Academic background

  • Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (concentration in higher education), Rowan University
  • M.A. in Student Affairs in Higher Education, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
  • B.S. in Mathematics, Kutztown University

Courses taught

  • LEAD 500: The Practice of Leadership
  • LEAD 510: Organizations: Design and Dynamics
  • EDUC 525: The Higher Education Organization
  • LEAD 531: Developing the Human Side of Organizations
  • LEAD 533: Conflict & Crisis Resolution in Organizations 
  • EDUC 540: Leading Operations, Change and Assessment in Higher Education

Research interests and professional background

My research interests lie in the examination of the pervasiveness of ableism in higher education, particularly for administrators and faculty working in higher education who have children with disabilities. My research also closely examines the experiences of women who are mothers and work in a gendered organization (higher education). My research agenda expands to the topics of gender, work/family balance and disabilities studies as it relates to students and faculty.

For the majority of my professional career, I have worked in both student affairs and academia. Serving in these dual roles has helped me to be a better educator and truly understand students' needs. I am extremely excited and proud to serve as an assistant professor and director for the organizational leadership program!

Selected publications

  • McKinney, K. M. (2022). Less of a balancing act and more of a juggling act: How women who work in student affairs and have children with disabilities navigate their dual roles (Doctoral dissertation, Rowan University).

Selected presentations

  • McKinney, K. M. (2024, April 11-14). Emotional labor and the helper identity: Student affairs mothers with children with disabilities. [Research Paper]. American Educational Research Association, Philadelphia, PA.
  • McKinney, K. M. (2023, February 7). Qualitative research design: General qualitative inquiry and interview methods. [Invited Lecturer]. Advanced Qualitative Research Methods in Education CASE 90814. Rowan University PhD in Education Program, Glassboro, NJ.
  • McKinney, K. M. (2022, November 16-19). The juggling act: Women who work in student affairs and have children with disabilities [Accepted Research Paper]. Association for the Study of Higher Education, Las Vegas, NV. 
  • McKinney, K. M., & Sam, C. H. (2023, April 13-16). A solo act? How student affairs mothers with children with disabilities negotiate work/family responsibilities. [Research Paper]. American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.
  • McKinney, K. M., & Williams, K. (2011). Making the Fit Just Right: Living in a Cohort Model. [Presentation]. American College Personnel Association, Washington, DC.

Honors and awards

  • Research Fellowship, Rider University (2023 and 2024)
  • Larry Marcus Award Medallion for Excellence in Educational Leadership, Doctoral Studies, Rowan University (2022)
  • Distinguished Teacher Award, The College of New Jersey (2019)
  • Dedicated Professional Award (services provided to students with disabilities), Rowan University (2014)
  • Division of Student Life Service Excellence Award recognizing contributions in support of students with disabilities, Rowan University (2013)
  • Nancy Newkerk Scholarship Award (Outstanding Promise as a Student Affairs Professional), Indiana University (2005)