Kelly O’Connell

Kelly joined The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS) in January 2010.  As the Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), her work focuses on providing information to the F-1 and J-1 population about how to maintain their status, offering workshops throughout the academic year, and being available for one-on-one questions and support. 



While in high school, Kelly studied Japanese and was a recipient of a Youth for Understanding scholarship, which allowed her to study abroad for a summer in Japan.  After high school, she attended the University of Washington and received her B.A. in Asian Studies, which re-enforced her desire to return to Japan.  From 2004-2006, she lived in Japan as part of the JET Programme (The Japan Exchange & Teaching Programme), teaching English in Hyogo-ken.



After returning to the U.S., her interests in working with an international population started and eventually led her to MIIS! 



Kelly lives in Salinas with her husband and children.  She enjoys hiking, mountain biking and traveling.

01/18/2022