In this interview, military spouse and higher ed leader Destiny McNair, who moved frequently and lived in diverse communities, emphasizes how these experiences strengthened her ability to lead with flexibility, problem-solving, resilience, and cultural awareness.
Author Biography
Kimberly O'Brien
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Kim O'Brien brings more than a decade of higher education experience. She is currently an Academic and Career Advisor at St. Petersburg College. Kim previously served as a faculty manager and senior operations manager in the Evaluation department at Western Governors University, where she led performance assessment delivery, continuous improvement, data analytics, and project management initiatives. Additionally, she was an Associate Faculty Instructor at the University of Arizona Global Campus from 2011 to 2023, where she taught courses in Educational Technology and History. Recognized with the Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award in 2017, she has contributed as a speaker and author at conferences focused on teaching and learning.
Earlier in her career, Kim served in roles such as an administrative coordinator at U.S. Southern Command, where she oversaw records management, security, and travel administration. Kim is also an Air Force veteran and military spouse of 21 years. During her military career, she was an Information Manager in the United States Air Force from 2000 to 2005, managing the lifecycle of records and ensuring compliance with military and federal regulations.
Kim holds a Master of Education in Learning and Technology and a Master of Arts in Global History. Her Bachelor of Arts is in Communication Studies, and she earned her Community College of the Air Force Associate of Science degree in Information Management. She is certified in data analytics, change management, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Outside of her professional career, Kim is an award-winning artist and volunteers as the PTA National Art Reflections Program Chair, where she leads program operations and competition events.
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