Darla Fent-Kelly, Ed.D., has been a member of the faculty in the Kinesiology and Health Studies (KHS) Department at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond, OK, since 2004. She has served as an Assistant Dean of the College of Education & Professional Studies since 2015. Before coming to UCO, she taught eleven years at another metro university. And, prior to securing a faculty positions at the college level, she taught math and physical education at the secondary level for four years.

Darla’s doctorate is in Higher Education with an emphasis in Exercise Science and Health. At UCO, she currently teaches undergraduate courses including:  Physiology of Exercise and Introduction to Kinesiology Studies. In addition, she supervises interns in the Exercise and Fitness Management undergraduate program.             

Darla is actively involved in research and has presented at state, national, and international levels. Her areas of interest include: senior fitness, behavior modification & the impact of movement on learning. She is a Certified Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator and has completed Healing Beyond Borders (HTI) – Foundations of Healing Touch (Course 1).

Darla shares her life in Oklahoma City, OK, with her husband, Grant, and their fur-baby, Maya. She enjoys being outdoors, spending time with family & friends, and traveling.