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Brock Kelley speaks to a group of children outside with a bus behind him

Auburn College of Education alumnus Brock Kelley is a big believer in being a lifelong learner — so much so he’s devoted his career to it. 

“I had the best experience at Auburn and with the Adult Education Department,” said Kelley, who graduated in December 2018 with his doctorate in Adult Education. “This degree catapulted my career in higher education. My eyes were open to the idea that anyone at any time can and should become a life-long learner. I grew an appreciation for adult learning and its importance to our economy.”

Today, Kelley lives out the mantra as the president of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College — a role he was named to in 2020. He accepted the top job at the college — which has campuses in Andalusia, Greenville, Opp and Luverne, Alabama — while serving as the director of workforce development for the southern region of the Alabama Community College System. Prior to that, he worked as the director of workforce development for the Alabama Department of Education. 

Brock Kelley, a 2018 graduate of Auburn's College of Education and president of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, is pictured with his wife, Sarah Ann, and his three children, Mack, John Luke and Madelyn.

“My background prepared me for the presidency because at the time, I had worked with state-level officials to identify certain pathways the state could take to meet the needs of our labor force,” he said. “At LBW, we have been able to develop programs such as the RISE program (Workforce Program for Individuals with Disabilities) and increase our workforce training and continuing education participation by over 300%.”

Kelley said LBW is ranked among the best in the state in all categories of adult education, with its main focus on matriculation. And his college has a distinct motto: 

“We tell anyone at anytime that ‘College is for everyone. College just looks different to many of us,’” he said. “Too many times, I talk to potential students who may be about to graduate high school or may be thinking about coming back to school. They believe our campus isn’t for them, but we try and make them believe they can by offering a pathway for everyone.”

While attending Auburn, Kelley at first hoped his path would involve baseball.  

“I grew up an Auburn fan and always wanted to play baseball at Auburn,” he said. “However, I played at LBW Community College and then finished playing my baseball career at Troy University. So, in a sense, I was the opponent for a time.”

When he graduated from Troy, he said he knew he wanted to get his doctorate at Auburn. He said his Auburn experience was a dream come true. 

“Obviously, graduating and walking across the stage was my favorite memory, but there was a time I let being an Auburn student really sink in,” he said. “I had gotten to class early and parked. I began walking to class, which was in the Haley Center. I vividly remember stopping at the stadium, staring at the logo and thinking, ‘Wow, I’m here and really doing this.’

 “Another moment that I remember vividly is when Dr. Witte stepped out of the room in which I had just defended my dissertation and said, ‘Dr. Kelley, congratulations.’”

The congratulations continued for Kelley as he was recently honored with a 20 under 40 award by the Auburn Alumni Association. The award recognizes members of the Auburn Family for extraordinary accomplishments, significant professional achievements and distinguished service to others. 

“Believe you can do it even when you don’t think you can. Take in everything you can and never stop learning.”

- Brock Kelley, a 2018 graduate of Auburn's College of Education and president of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
Brock Kelley is pictured with his wife standing on Auburn's football field

Brock Kelley is pictured on Auburn's football field with his wife, Sarah Ann.

Leslie Cordie, an associate professor in the Adult Education program within the College of Education’s Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology department, said the recognition is well deserved. 

“President Kelley embodies the best qualities of the Adult Education PhD program,” she said. “His innovative research, community engagement and academic excellence not only contribute significantly to the field of adult learning but also reflect his commitment to fostering critical thinking, problem-solving and a passion for lifelong learning for learners across the state of Alabama.”

To this day, Kelley said he remains a huge Auburn fan, adding that he loves everything about the campus. 

“I love the instructors. I love the colors. I love being a part of the Auburn Family,” he said. 

And he has some advice for future students — including those lifelong learners.

“Believe you can do it even when you don’t think you can,” he said. “Take in everything you can and never stop learning.” 

Adult Education

Auburn’s Adult Education program provides professional development opportunities for individuals engaged in adult-centered learning and training in a variety of workplaces. Graduates become facilitators who educate, train, manage, retrain, design, deliver, or evaluate activities within the global teaching and learning environment.

Learn more