John O’Brien, Ph.D.

John O’Brien serves as the president and CEO of EDUCAUSE, a nonprofit organization seeking to inspire the transformation of higher education in service to a greater good. EDUCAUSE serves more than 2,000 member colleges, universities, and organizations from 41 countries who themselves collectively serve more than 14 million students.

He speaks and writes on a variety of topics related to higher education, technology, and the crucial point at which these two passions meet. Throughout his career in higher education, John has served as an academic, technology, and institutional leader. He was a faculty leader in instructional technology, a statewide IT project leader, a campus provost, and associate vice chancellor/deputy CIO at the system level. He has served as president of Century College and North Hennepin Community College. Immediately prior to his appointment at EDUCAUSE, he served as the system’s senior vice chancellor of academic and student affairs in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, the fourth largest higher education system in the United States.

John serves as chair of the board of regents of Augsburg University, a four-year university MSI in Minneapolis. He was recently appointed to the board of the American Council on Education (ACE) and the board of Achieving the Dream, an organization committed to championing community colleges.

John holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Augustana University, a master’s degree in Anglo-Irish Literature from Trinity College Dublin, and a doctorate in English from the University of Minnesota.

Prior to his appointment as President, Rear Admiral (retired) Kelly was the 42nd Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. As Superintendent (President) of one of the nation’s five federal service academies, he was responsible for the education, training, and development of the future leaders of the U.S. Coast Guard. He oversaw every aspect of academic, athletic (NCAA Div. III), military, and civic development, ensuring graduates were prepared to serve as officers in service to their nation.

He is a 1987 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and earned his master’s degree in Instructional Systems Design from Florida State University, along with a Certificate in Human Resource Management.

Bill and his wife Angie have been married for 37 years, and they are the proud parents of two sons, Patrick and Tyler, and the adoring grandparents to their young grandson, Liam, and granddaughter, Amelia. In their free time, the Kellys enjoy cheering on the countless CNU Captains who give their all on the stage, court, classroom, and field.