Class of 2025: Amy Saucier Kelley, VCU’s commencement pro, gets a degree of her own

By Sian Wilkerson

For close to a decade, Virginia Commonwealth University's twice-yearly commencement ceremonies have been helmed by Amy Saucier Kelley, whose team puts in months of work to organize the capstone event of every semester. But this month, her wardrobe went beyond headset and binder - it included cap and gown.

As always, Kelley's efforts require pinpoint precision, superhuman coordination and the ever-important ability to roll with the punches. After working behind the scenes at more than 20 commencements, it was "a little surreal," she said, to be standing on the other side as she earned her master's degree in public administration from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

"In my role now, every single graduate walks past me to get to the floor," she said before the Dec. 13 ceremony. "And this year, I will be one of those people. I will trail off at the end, I'll get the master's [graduates] to save me my seat, and then I will go join them once my duties are complete."

As executive director of university events and strategic operations, Kelley and her team, part of VCU Enterprise Marketing and Communications, oversee major events, organizing everything from Board of Visitors meetings and presidential gatherings to official visits from former presidents, first ladies and global dignitaries, and even hospitality at Rams basketball games.

The events group - rounded out by Candyce Conrad, Eliana Denby and Abby Kruger - is "exceptionally strong," Kelley said. "We work very closely together in very odd situations … and I think one of the most rewarding parts of my job is the three women that I work with. They keep me going."

"Balancing a full workload, being a devoted wife and mother and earning a master's degree is no easy feat - but it's exactly what I admire most about Amy," said Mike Porter, associate vice president for public relations. "She brings dedication, drive and passion to everything she does, and I couldn't be more proud of her."

For Kelley, pursuing her graduate degree felt like a natural next step.

"I've been at VCU for over a decade," she said. "So when I was reflecting on opportunities and professional development that I wanted to do, the master's in public administration made a lot of sense to me. … I thought it would be a good opportunity to broaden my horizons and give me a huge variety of experience without [needing to do] 10 different jobs."

Kelley received her bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Richmond in 2009, and going back to school for her master's proved to be a whole new world. In addition to asynchronous classes and schoolwork, she continued to juggle her day job, her family and her board of trustees role at the Children's Museum of Richmond. But multitasking is a familiar strength.

"Events is essentially project management, not just of logistics and planning but also of all the auxiliary services: the communications element, the vendors, the budgeting, the media buying, in some instances the promotional materials, all of that," Kelley said. "So I really find enjoyment in the coordinating of chaos, as I like to call it."

Before coming to VCU in 2014, Kelley served as the director of legislative and government affairs in the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia and advised several state legislators. After three years working in VCU's Office of the President, she transitioned to her role with Enterprise Marketing and Communications, then known as University Relations.

After so many years at VCU, there were plenty of familiar faces - both onstage and off - as Kelley had a moment in the spotlight this month as she accepted her diploma. But best of all was having her husband, Charles, and kids - daughter Lofton, 8, and son Everett, 6 - at the ceremony to see the culmination of her hard work.

"That's the most important thing," she said. "I want them, especially my daughter, to see their mom doing it all."