Teaching leadership skills in and out of the classroom

Kelly Trusty

Ralph W. Ketner Distinguished Professorship in Business
Trine University - Ketner School of Business
Ph.D. – Western Michigan University, Public Administration; M.A. – Ball State University, Community Education; M.B.A. - Trine University; B.A. – Purdue University, Education
260-665-4917  |  email

I believe each of us has a stake in our community and an obligation as a leader or follower, as an employee or citizen volunteer, to help find solutions to community needs and challenges. I am fascinated by how and why great leaders inspire groups to create positive change in communities, having spent decades managing, marketing, and consulting on nonprofit and public sector initiatives. My strategic planning, facilitation and proposal writing expertise have empowered nonprofit organizations to secure over $60 million in grants and contracts. These experiences inspire me to help students embrace opportunities to build leadership skills and step into leadership roles.  I’ve been helping student leaders grow at Trine since 2010, teaching undergraduate and graduate management, leadership, marketing and social innovation courses. I          co-author the textbook, Supervision: Concepts and Practices of Management, which is a fantastic opportunity to immerse myself in best practice management and leadership research. I look forward to sharing it with you!

When I’m not teaching, I'm facilitating the Ehinger Fellows business and engineering leadership ambassador program, as well as inviting all Trine students to participate in Professional Paradigms (P2) Power Skills events and Trine Opt Outside adventures.

My favorite place on the planet is wherever my two Trine Engineer boys are. My second favorite place is the woods -- leading hikes at Pokagon State Park, riding horses, and walking my chocolate labs, Mackey and Scout. On our local 101 lakes, I enjoy paddling SUP boards, kayaks, and canoes in the quiet of the rising and setting sun.