Skip to the content of the web site.

Ms. Kelly (née Smith) Regan (BA 1984)

     Beginning her studies at Waterloo as an aspiring political science or history major, Kelly Regan (née Smith, BA 1984) changed her mind after taking a first-year English class with Dr. W.K. Thomas: “He just made it so interesting; how could you not be in English after that?” Since studying English at the University of Waterloo, Kelly’s life and work has taken her across the country. After graduating from UW, Kelly began a long and successful media career, working locally as the producer for a two-hour weekend show aired on CKCO. Six months later, Kelly moved to Nova Scotia, where she worked for a radio station, and later for ATV, a regional CTV branch where she stayed for almost ten years.

     Kelly has always had an interest in politics, and has been an active political volunteer since 1992. More recently, Kelly’s concern over public issues inspired her to run for the Nova Scotia Legislative Assembly: “I was seeing things happening in my local riding that I didn’t think were right.” A member of the official opposition in the province, Kelly was elected as a Liberal MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) for her riding of Bedford-Birch Cove in June 2009. As the Opposition Critic for three portfolios (education, labour and skills development, and the status of women), Kelly’s new role offers the challenging yet rewarding experience of working to help the people she represents.

     For Kelly, her past studies in English have followed her in a number of ways, some of them unexpected. One of her favourite classes was Dr. Warren Ober’s Arthurian Legends, and she shares that love when she reads with her twelve-year old son today, twenty-five years later. Kelly’s experience as a co-op student unveiled her “passion for broadcasting,” and her placements helped her to make professional connections and find direction. “For me, the value of co-op was that I had the chance to experience several very different jobs, and to get a good idea of what was my passion.” Kelly has also found value in the academic side of her English degree, especially when it comes to understanding the media: “Sometimes we read into things what they want to, but it’s important to understand ‘What does it really say,’ ‘What does it really mean’... a good course in practical criticism will teach you.”