William G. Kelly is the Sixth President of Christopher Newport University. His tenure as president began July 1, 2023, and he was inaugurated at a ceremony on August 14, highlighted by an address with this message:
"Our goal is to be recognized as among the very best regional public universities in America. We will recruit, educate, and graduate students committed to leadership, honor, service, and scholarship.
We will be committed to excellence in all that we do.
And above all, our students will define what it means to lead a life of significance."
About President Kelly
William G. Kelly is the Sixth President of Christopher Newport University and a nationally respected educator and military leader. He is a lifelong public servant with nearly four decades of distinguished service in the U.S. Coast Guard.
President Kelly has set the University on a course to be anchored in excellence in all that it does. He instituted the Strategic Compass, a communitywide planning process to establish the University’s goals. President Kelly led the restructuring of the University’s Title IX Office, launched Going Greener ‘24 to spur environmental initiatives, signed articulation agreements with several community colleges, and guided admissions strategies that resulted that resulted in a record-breaking increase in applications and positive steps toward a goal of being the most inclusive public university in Virginia.
President Kelly joined Phillip Jones, the mayor of Newport News, in establishing a task force to examine the decisions that resulted in the growth of Christopher Newport University. President Kelly was also named by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to serve on the Preserving Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program Task Force.
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. His military awards include the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal and Legion of Merit (four awards).
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 met his wife, Angie, during his junior year at the Coast Guard Academy, and they “have been a team ever since.” Married for 37 years, 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 sports, music, art, and theater, and on any given day can be found enthusiastically cheering on the countless Captains who give their all on the stage, court, classroom and field.
Messages
- President William G. Kelly Describes the Strategic Compass in a Presentation to the CNU community (video), February 21, 2025
- State of the University, August 20, 2024
- Title IX Next Steps, March 28, 2024
- Strengthening Ties with Newport News Public Schools, February 20, 2024
- My First 100 Days as Your President, December 5, 2023
- President Kelly Shares Incident Update, Thanks Police, November 28, 2023
- A message to the CNU community regarding the war in Israel and Gaza, October 11, 2023
- 'Barely heard of' Christopher Newport University is making a difference
Richmond Times-Dispatch, October 6, 2023
Signature Selfies
President Kelly attends countless events on campus and in the community. His selfies have already become a tradition.