WKU News

Described as “relatable, brilliantly creative, and just an all-around fun teacher to have,” Professional-in-Residence Kelley Coppinger is now in her sixteenth year of teaching at WKU, following a successful career in advertising.

Kelley, as she insists students call her, was born in Iran, and has lived in many different countries such as Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Scotland,  and Belgium throughout her life, due to her father’s work in the oil industry. She also traveled extensively to India, Japan, Egypt, Europe and beyond.

Kelley moved to the U.S. at 18, and attended the University of North Texas, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts and met the love of her life, Chuck Coppinger. While in Texas, Kelley worked with many companies such as Positive Images, Texas Monthly, Southwest Airlines and more.

She later moved to Bowling Green, to follow her husband when he accepted a job offer. Quickly, Kelley began to establish her career experiences in Bowling Green as well. Her professional involvements here included political advertising. She also worked with American Bank & Trust, Eagle Industries, Kentucky State Arson Task Force, Farmers National Bank, Houchens Industries and more.

Becoming a college professor, or entering the field of education, was nowhere in Kelley’s plan for her career path, but she was drawn to the curriculum, which she described as “brilliant,” and decided to apply for a job. She said the curriculum was very professional, and “a good combination of advertising theory and practical application."

When Kelley was asked about her teaching technique she said… “We have a professional program, and the focus is all about getting the job, so I am going to stress critical thinking and the portfolio.”

She loves being in the classroom and believes “all students are creative, it has just been educated out of them. Students want to use a theory or a formula, instead of their own problem solving skills.”

For more information about Kelley Coppinger visit her website www.kelleycoppinger.com.

  ~Sidney Riney, Student