When the pandemic opened an unexpected door into a new career, Kelly Mannes chose to walk through it with intention.
As a compliance consultant for the University of Arizona, she loved the work — the problem-solving, the human dynamics and the opportunity to support people and processes behind the scenes — but she wanted to understand it on a deeper level.
That motivation led her to the Master of Human Resources and Employment Law program at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, where her coursework didn’t just introduce new concepts; it reshaped how she thinks, communicates and shows up in her professional life.
As she approaches her fall 2025 graduation, Mannes stands ready to carry this deeper understanding into every space she leads, strengthens and serves.
Read on to learn more about Mannes' journey at ASU and her plans for the future.
Note: Answers may have been lightly edited for length and/or clarity.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?
Answer: I think there are two ways to approach education: You can pursue a degree as a doorway into a career field, or you can pursue a degree to further an existing career path. In my case, I changed career fields during the pandemic and realized that pursuing a degree would not only help me build a strong knowledge foundation to grow and succeed in my new role, but it would also provide me with a credential that would show others that...
Singer and actor Nana has filed a criminal complaint for false accusation against the man who broke into her home and later filed counterclaims against her, Nana’s agency Sublime said on Friday. T...