Kimberly O'Brien

About Kimberly O'Brien

Kim is an Air Force veteran and military spouse of 21 years. She contributes articles to HigherEd Military and covers features and resources for Military.com. Her background spans 15 years in higher education, leading faculty and teams in assessments, project management, and continuous improvement processes.

Expertise

2025-Current: Academic and Career Advisor at St. Petersburg College and Military.com Writer
2025: Higher Education Military Fellowship
2015-2025: Senior Manager of Evaluation Operations at Western Governors University
2011-2023: Associate Instructor at University of Arizona Global Campus
2013-2014: Hospital Project Coordinator
2007-2011: U.S. Southern Command Administrative Coordinator
2000-2005: U.S. Air Force Information Management

Education

M.Ed. Learning and Technology – Western Governors University
M.A. Global History – American Military University
B.A. Communication Studies – University of Maryland University College
A.S. Information Management – Community College of the Air Force

Achievements

2020: Learning Leadership Award
2017: Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Award and “Inspire & Develop” Leadership Award
2010: South Florida Employee of the Year and Joint Service Civilian Commendation Medal
2002: Technician of the Year

Publications

Featured in HigherEd Military
Featured in Association for Distance Education and Independent Learning
Featured in International Institute for Asian Studies

Connect with Kim O’Brien

Email: Kimberly.o@military.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-obrien-2021/

Latest Articles

Members of Team Holloman pose for a photo during a Community College of the Air Force and University of Maryland Global Campus graduation ceremony at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, July 11, 2025. Airmen have the opportunity to pursue higher education through the CCAF, the only degree-granting institution in the Department of Defense, and the UMGC, which offers flexible programs tailored to military careers, empowering them to grow professionally while supporting the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michelle Ferrari, DVIDS)

How Military-Affiliated Students May Answer the Declining College Enrollment Problem

Military-connected students may become a reliable solution to the declining enrollment problem across colleges and...

July 15, 2025 - President Donald J. Trump is making America the undisputed world leader in artificial intelligence — and today marked a massive leap forward with the announcement of over $90 billion in groundbreaking AI and energy investments in Pennsylvania. (Whitehouse.gov photo)

Military Implications in the Age of AI

With the AI-integration in most sectors today, the military domain is no exception. We are living in another transformative...

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii --Hawaii’s Cost of Living Allowance, or COLA, Living Pattern Survey for all active duty service members. (Photo by Kayla Overton, U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii, February 10, 2021/DVIDS)

Understanding the COLA Cycle Increase Adjustments to DEA and Post 9/11 GI Bill

The annual Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 will be 2.8 percent to ensure benefits are not negative impacted by...

The Clearinghouse is an applied research center created to help professionals identify, implement, evaluate, and improve programs that strengthen military service members, veterans, and their families. (Freepix)

Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State

From applied research solving practical problems to learning resources that support military-connected individuals, the...

Dr. Kevin Basik, guest speaker, mentors U.S. Airmen assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing and military spouses during a leadership summit at Travis Air Force Base, California, Sept. 23, 2025. Basik spoke about methods to strengthen leadership and enhance mission effectiveness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols, DVIDS)

Distilling Military Career Readiness Choices

The military-affiliated community has an overwhelming amount of choices and resources, which makes it challenging when it...

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Caleb Mackney, education system support assigned to the 42nd Communications Squadron, works on a computer during the Airman Leadership School Distance Learning 2.0 Program Launch at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. June 17, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Evan Porter)

Department of Education’s Proposal to Modernize its Definition of Online Distance Learning

The Department of Education revisited proposed changes to asynchronous clock, credit-hour, and subscription-based programs in...

Louisville VA Medical Center construction on September 3, 2025. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DVIDS)

What Lies Ahead for the Future of VA’s VITAL Program

The VA launched the Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) program to provide a support with health care...

First Lady Melania Trump helps a young student create a cardstock turkey during Thanksgiving craft activities at DeLalio Elementary School, a DoDEA facility at MCAS New River, Nov. 19, 2025 (Official White House Photo by Andrea Hanks).

DoDEA and College Entrance Exam Board’s Future

The DoDEA partners with College Board to provide military-connected students with Advanced Placement (AP) programs and...

U.S. Army Capt. Parker Jones, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa project manager, works on his art designs at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, April 24, 2025. Jones uses graphic design as a creative outlet to maintain resilience during deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman, DVIDS)

Veterans on Creative Paths

Military.com sat down with several veterans who have pursued unique and creative jobs or careers beyond military service.

NEWPORT, R.I. - The 447 incoming students from all six branches of the U.S. armed forces, U.S. federal government agencies and 42 partner and allied nations stand during the U.S. Naval War College's Convocation event signaling the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Newport, Rhode Island. (U.S. Navy photo by Kristopher Burris, DVIDS)

Assessing the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education on Intellectual Freedom

Recently, the White House initiated a Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, starting with nine universities...

University of Kentucky honoring women veterans during a women’s basketball game in 2024. (Kaitlin Baudendistel, DVIDS)

Dedicated College Engagement Programs for Veteran Women

College engagement programs, events, and resources geared toward women veterans are making a positive impact. As more women...

Robert Wells, Texas A&M University-Central Texas ROTC operations coordinator and College of Arts and Science advisor, speaks with Soldiers during the Education Services Division Back-to-School Bash Aug. 13, 2025, at the Soldier Development Center at Fort Hood, Texas. (U.S. Army photo by Janecze Wright, Fort Hood Public Affairs, DVIDS)

Department of Education’s Proposal to Address ‘Professional’ Students for Loans

The Department of Education and Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) committee reviewed definitions of a...

Amy Johnson, 23d Force Support Squadron community readiness specialist, participates in a Military Spouse Career Empowerment Expo Sept. 17, 2020, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The virtual, multi-base event gave active-duty and retiree spouses the opportunity to enhance job-seeking skills, gain networking guidance and identify education options. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jasmine M. Barnes, DVIDS)

Academic and Career Support for Military Spouses

Military spouses have more academic and career assistance than ever before. The benefits have expanded over time in the past...

Pennants for different universities and colleges create a wall of color inside the Education and Career Services office on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. (Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall PAO photo by Nell King)

Intentional Questions to Ask Your College

There are a variety of resources available to help you find the college or career service that fits your needs, but as you...

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Emilio Rivera Santiago, 635th Materiel Maintenance Squadron electrical systems apprentice, mows the lawn of disabled veteran during the 34th annual Day of Caring event in Alamogordo, New Mexico, Sept. 12, 2025. Volunteers from Holloman Air Force Base worked with community partners to clean up and do tasks at the homes of local residents who may not have the means or ability to do so on their own. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Bob Teichmann, DVIDS)

Veterans Empowering Communities Through Continued Service

On this Veterans Day, we honor all veterans and talk about how veterans make a lasting difference in their communities.

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