Florida State University Athletics
Staff Directory
Nielsen, Kelly
Kelly Nielsen
- Title:
- Chief of Staff
Kelly Nielsen joined the Florida State University Men’s Basketball program as Chief of Staff in March 2025. She brings a diverse background in collegiate athletics administration and operations, as well as strong ties to FSU through her previous role with Seminole Boosters.
At Seminole Boosters, Nielsen served as Executive Assistant and Board Relations Coordinator. In this role, she provided high-level administrative support, coordinated and executed Board meetings, ensured compliance with organizational by-laws, and facilitated communication among Board members, university departments, and external stakeholders.
Nielsen began her career in athletics operations at the University of Arkansas, where she became the first Director of Golf Operations for the Razorbacks. She managed daily operations for the nationally ranked men’s and women’s golf programs, including travel coordination, scheduling, academic monitoring, community service, and administrative tasks.
She initially joined Arkansas Athletics in May 2018 as a graduate assistant, supporting athletic department administration. Her responsibilities included coordinating onboarding for new employees, planning staff and faculty engagement events, and assisting with internal branding and procurement audits. She earned her master’s degree in Recreation and Sport Management from the University of Arkansas in 2021.
Nielsen holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration from Kent State University, where she was also a member of the women’s golf team.
At Seminole Boosters, Nielsen served as Executive Assistant and Board Relations Coordinator. In this role, she provided high-level administrative support, coordinated and executed Board meetings, ensured compliance with organizational by-laws, and facilitated communication among Board members, university departments, and external stakeholders.
Nielsen began her career in athletics operations at the University of Arkansas, where she became the first Director of Golf Operations for the Razorbacks. She managed daily operations for the nationally ranked men’s and women’s golf programs, including travel coordination, scheduling, academic monitoring, community service, and administrative tasks.
She initially joined Arkansas Athletics in May 2018 as a graduate assistant, supporting athletic department administration. Her responsibilities included coordinating onboarding for new employees, planning staff and faculty engagement events, and assisting with internal branding and procurement audits. She earned her master’s degree in Recreation and Sport Management from the University of Arkansas in 2021.
Nielsen holds a Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration from Kent State University, where she was also a member of the women’s golf team.
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