Danielle Kelly

bio entering 2024-2025 season

Danielle Kelly is entering her sixth year in Athletics at San Diego State University (SDSU), where she has grown in leadership roles since joining SDSU in July 2019 as the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Development. She was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Development in June 2022 and joined the Aztec Athletics Senior Leadership Team as Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Development in April 2023. Most recently, in August 2024, Danielle was named Senior Associate Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Services, overseeing both Academic Support Services and Student-Athlete Development as well as serving as the Sport Liaison for the Track and Field and Cross Country programs.  

During her time on the Mesa, Danielle spearheaded the Aztecs Going Pro program, a comprehensive initiative designed to prepare student-athletes for life and careers after graduation and sport. In this role, she taught four one-unit courses each semester, reaching over 450 student-athletes annually. The program’s structured, four-year curriculum emphasizes personal growth, civic engagement, and career development. Under Danielle's leadership, Aztecs Going Pro was redesigned and expanded to enhance the student-athlete experience both inside and outside the classroom. She also established a robust internship program and created numerous networking events, fostering connections between student-athletes and alumni. With a deep passion for supporting students, she has brought extensive experience in higher education leadership, academic program development, and student advocacy to the Aztecs.  

Before joining SDSU, Danielle spent over a decade at the University of the Pacific, serving as Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services. Throughout her career, Danielle has been a champion of equity, inclusion, and student success, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to mentorship and holistic development.  

A proud San Diego native, Danielle earned her Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Educational Leadership from the University of the Pacific. As a former student-athlete, she captained the Field Hockey team, served as President of the Pacific Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Big West SAAC, and represented student-athletes nationally on the NCAA SAAC and Championship Cabinet.  

Danielle and her husband, Michael Kelly, are proud parents of four children: Jackson (7), Drayden (4), Mitchell (22), a Baseball Student-Athlete at Cortland University, and Mady (18), a Basketball Student-Athlete at Nazareth College.  

Danielle’s deep San Diego roots and her professional and personal experiences fuel her dedication to fostering student success and preparing the next generation of leaders.