Brian Kelley

Brian Kelley is an active Assistant Professor in the Academic Literacy and Linguistics department at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. He serves as secretary of the college-wide Curriculum Committee and is a member of both the University Faculty Senate and BMCC Senate. Dr. Kelley identifies as a cis-gender queer male who uses pronouns he/him/his, though he is open to any pronouns used without harmful intent.

Dr. Kelley's educational background includes a Ph.D. in Language & Literacy from Fordham University (2015), an MA in Reading Specialist from New Jersey City University (2008), and a BA in English (Honors) with a Minor in Women's and Gender Studies (2002). He has developed numerous courses including ACL 125, ACL 175, ACL 195, ACL 200, ACL 250, CRT 196, CRT 200, CRT 300, and LIN 300, among others.

His research interests span literacy studies (the study of literacy practices as social acts), linguistics, queer & gender studies, children's and young adult literature (particularly sequential art narrative), composition and rhetoric, and education. His scholarly work examines the interdisciplinary intersections of queerness, affect, discourse, and trauma. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on graphic novels and media literacy, with his most recent publication appearing in 2021.

Dr. Kelley is the founder and coordinator of the Queer Communities Faculty Interest Group and Comics Studies Faculty & Staff Interest Group. He is co-coordinator of the BMCC Pride Alliance and co-chair of the SafeZone Education and Curriculum Committee. He also serves as program coordinator for the Literacy Studies program, which he helped develop.

• Reviewer for New Jersey English Journal and Study and Scrutiny
• Co-Liaison to CUNY-wide LGBTQIA+ Consortium and Council
• Mentor for Pride Mentoring Network
• Member of International Literacy Association and National Council of Teachers of English
• Certified in Writing Intensive instruction, online teaching, and honors instruction

Dr. Kelley has developed comprehensive SafeZone curriculum including SafeZone 101: Introduction to Allyship, SafeZone 201: Becoming Advocates and Agents, and is working on SafeZone 301: Restorative and Joyful Education. He has also completed professional development in Open Education Resources/Zero Textbook Course (OER/ZTC), Quantitative Reasoning, Global Competencies, and other educational initiatives.