Kim Kelly's tenure at Carnegie Mellon University began in 2005 as the head volleyball coach where she accumulated 303 wins for the Tartans and five NCAA Championship bids over 14 seasons of work. Following her retirement from coaching at the end of the 2018 season, Kelly continued her role as an Associate Director of Athletics for the Tartans, a post she garnered in 2018 after serving as the Assistant Director of Athletics and Deputy Title IX Coordinator for the University since 2015. In 2022, Kelly was promoted to Senior Associate Director of Athletics.

Kelly's other administrative roles include Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) and Officer of Compliance. Kelly has been the SWA since 2008 and also oversees the sports performance team (sports medicine and strength and conditioning) and the swimming and diving programs. Additionally, Kelly coordinates varsity team travel and is an administrator for the Tartan Leaders of Tomorrow program.

As a volleyball coach, Kelly surpassed 500 career wins in 2017 and reached the regional final of the NCAA tournament in her final season, the best finish by a Carnegie Mellon volleyball team. In 2017, Kelly was named the AVCA North Region Coach of the Year and led the program to its highest national ranking when it reached sixth after opening the year at 25-1 and winning six straight University Athletic Association (UAA) contests, including three against top-20 teams.

Under Kelly, 10 players garnered 15 All-America honors while there was at least one player named to the all-region team in 11 of her 14 seasons. Additional player honors include one UAA Rookie of the Year and two ECAC Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Five of Kelly's players are career leaders for the Tartans and six surpassed the 1,000 kill plateau. Statistical leaders include:

• Erika Foose - attack percentage .347 (2016-19)
• Samantha Carter - assists 4,659 (2006-09)
• Cameron Griffin - digs 2,356 (2007-10)
• Kayla Yew - digs per set 4.84 (2016-19)
• Jessica Brackin - block assists 345 (2006-09)

Since 2018, Kelly has served as a regional chair of the Mid-Atlantic Region/Region 5 where she's responsible for representing the region for NCAA Championship selection. As the vice chair of the NCAA Division III National Volleyball Committee, Kelly has helped the host cities at the national tournament in St. Louis, Missouri (2021), Cedar Rapids, Iowa (2019), and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2018). 

Prior to Carnegie Mellon, Kelly was the head women’s volleyball coach at Gettysburg College from 1996 through 2004. During her tenure, the Bullets posted a 250-82 record, captured eight Centennial Conference titles and appeared in eight NCAA Division III Championship Tournaments. She was an assistant coach at Gettysburg for four seasons before becoming head coach.

A member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and chairman of the Mid-Atlantic All-Regional team selection committee for two years, Kelly also served as a member of the Mid-Atlantic Region Selection Committee for the NCAA Division III Tournament.

A 1992 graduate of Gettysburg, Kelly was regarded as one of the top setters ever to play for the Bullets. During her four seasons (1988-91), she was credited with 2,079 assists, the highest total in school history upon graduation. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Gettysburg and a master’s of business administration from Mount St. Mary’s in 2003. In 2016, Kelly was inducted to Gettysburg's Hall of Athletic Honor.