Kelly Benacka Anderson joined the Karin L. Bone Athletics Study Center staff in March of 2015 and currently serves as Assistant Director of the unit, working directly with Illinois State’s men’s basketball, volleyball, and women’s golf teams.

Prior to joining the Athletics Study Center staff, Anderson spent time in similar roles at Florida State and Southeast Missouri State. During her time at Florida State, she was an assistant academic advisor for the university’s football team. In that role, Anderson worked directly with at-risk student-athletes and was responsible for maintaining eligibility and monitoring academic progress, while working in collaboration with several other on-campus groups.

Anderson served as a graduate assistant at Southeast Missouri State, her alma mater, from 2011 to 2013. She advised and assisted student-athletes competing in several sports, including: football, baseball, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s and men’s track and field. She managed the school’s Students Owning Academic Responsibility (SOAR) program, while also working closely with the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), and organizing community service events.

Anderson received her bachelor’s degree in General Studies and her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, both from Southeast Missouri State. She was a standout member of the school’s volleyball team as an undergraduate, earning four varsity letters and serving as a team captain as a senior.

A native of Algonquin, Illinois, Anderson currently resides in Normal, Illinois, with her husband, Mike, and two children, Benny and Kate.