Dr. Kelly Donovan is a dental hygiene educator, speaker, writer, mentor, and consultant. She is passionate about oral health and supporting the academic and professional development of dental hygiene students and faculty. Kelly began her journey in education as a graduate of Cypress College Dental Hygiene Program in 1994. Inspired by her love of teaching and oral health, she became a dental hygiene educator in 2007. Never forgetting the difficulties of being a dental hygiene school student and inspired to be a change agent within dental hygiene instruction, she developed a clinical remediation program to enhance student success in clinical instrumentation and board preparation. A life-long learner, Kelly has continued her education, earning a Master’s in Adult Education from the University of Phoenix in 2004 and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Administration, and Policy from Pepperdine University in 2017. Her dissertation entitled Preparation and Instructional Competency Needs of the New Dental Hygiene Educator: A Phenomenological Study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of dental hygiene educators transitioning from clinical practice into the educational system to understand how to better support new dental hygiene educators in developing instructional competency. Kelly is active in her community, earning the California Dental Hygiene Kern County Outstanding Component Member Award (2013) to promote student involvement in the California Dental Hygiene Association. A Sustainer with The Association of Junior Leagues International, Kelly works to empower women and children, training women to be change agents and transform communities. Kelly enjoys cycling, tennis, and cooking. A native Californian, she enjoys spending time at the beach. Her favorite pastime is spending time with her teenage son, Braeden, and her Golden Retriever, Paris.