CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. (July 28, 2021) — Thomas More University has named Kelly French ‘02 vice president and chief of staff. 

As vice president and chief of staff, French will lead institutional-level projects and advise the president on key initiatives in the alignment of the 2021-25 Strategic Plan, Lighting the Way, to ensure effectiveness and long-range planning. She will oversee and lead the University’s accreditation, institutional research, operations, and human resources. French will serve on the president’s cabinet and will work collectively with cabinet members to achieve the outcomes of the strategic plan and annual goals for Thomas More.

“Kelly has been a member of the Thomas More community since attending the University for her undergraduate education,” said President Joseph Chillo, LP.D. “Since receiving her degree in 2002, Kelly has remained steadfast in her service towards this institution, holding various roles from registrar to vice president for strategy and impact. Her unwavering dedication to the University as an alumna and an established staff member made her the clear choice for the role. Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge to this role and I look forward to working alongside her to advance this University into its 21^st century, beginning with her leadership and implementation of our Strategic Plan, Lighting the Way.” 

 “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Thomas More as vice president and chief of staff,” said French. “I am excited to work more closely with President Chillo and the entire community to celebrate our centennial year, launching this upcoming fall, and strategically align initiatives to focus on the future of Thomas More. As an alum, I am especially inspired and energized to achieve the goals of our Strategic Plan, Lighting the Way, which focuses on student success, academic innovation, and responsible stewardship to become the premier regional Catholic university.”  

French has served at Thomas More since 2005 in the capacities of registrar, director of academic information, director of institutional research, planning, and assessment, and most recently, vice president for strategy and impact. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Thomas More University and two master’s degrees – one from the University of Cincinnati and one from the University of Illinois. French is currently a member of the Association of Institutional Research and the Kentucky Association of Institutional Research, and she is a past member of the American, Southern, and Kentucky Associations of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, where she served on the executive board for the Kentucky Association as treasurer and vice president for technology. She’s also a member of the Women’s Institute for Leadership Development’s class of 2017. 

Thomas More University provides students with something much more than job training. Graduates are prepared for any career. But they leave prepared for much more. They are exposed to the very best thought, literature, art, and music. They learn to harness the power of human reason to solve problems and discover truth. Most importantly, they have the chance to begin to become the person they were created to be. This is the power of the liberal arts in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition at Thomas More University. Our students come here looking for more. And that’s exactly what we offer. Here our students take that opportunity and…Make It More. Learn more at thomasmore.edu.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Rebecca Stratton, director of communications and PR, strattr@thomasmore.edu, 859.344.3309