Get to Know Blackhawk’s Jonathon Kelley, Communications Instructor

Welcome to our “Get to Know Blackhawk” series, which uses a Q&A format to showcase the diverse and talented individuals within the college community.

What is your name and where did you grow up?

Jonathon Kelley and I grew up in Madison.

What is your role at Blackhawk Technical College?

Instructor of Communication

What was your journey to this role? Where did you go to school? What did you study?

I started at MATC-Madison, transferred into the UW System and graduated with a B.A. in Speech Communication with an emphasis on Electronic Media and a minor in Psychology from UW-Whitewater. I later went on to graduate with a M.S. in Mass Communication, also from UW-Whitewater. My Master’s thesis studied the quality of YouTube film reviews when compared to traditional media counterparts.

Is there something that drew you to this career?

I love teaching. It’s an opportunity to help someone better themselves by sharing your knowledge and experience.

What skills do you possess that you believe will help you in this position?

I’ve worked as a media professional since I was 15 years old, so communication skills have always been a constant in my life.

What is something Blackhawk offers that you feel other colleges do not?

Blackhawk provides an opportunity for students to balance work and life while bettering themselves through education.

What is your life like outside of work? Family? Community involvement? Adorable pets?

I have a wonderful family and a little dog named Porthos, who does not like Amazon drivers.

Tell us something about yourself you think people would be surprised to know.

I collect old media formats and have an extensive collection of LaserDiscs.

If you had to pick one season to live in all year round, which season would you choose?

Fall in Wisconsin is always wonderful. I’d love it if it could be fall year-round.

If you could have dinner with anybody, alive or dead, who would you choose?

Kurt Vonnegut. The man had a wonderful way of expressing the human experience and our conflictive nature. I’d bet he’d have a lot to say about the last decade. So it goes.

What was your first concert?

Reel Big Fish

If you could be any TV character, who would you choose and why?

The Doctor from “Doctor Who.” The entirety of space and time at your fingertips, what’s not to like?

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

Blue Moon

Who is your favorite comic book character?

In the comics, Spiderman. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America.

If you could be a pro athlete in any sport, which sport would it be?

Bowling. It’s the only sport where you can be a professional and still eat nachos.

What/who is your favorite book or author?

“Timequake” by Kurt Vonnegut

What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?

“The Real Ghostbusters”

What is your dream vacation destination?

Florence, Italy

What’s one thing on your bucket list?

To one day fill out a survey.

Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met? Tell us the story of how you met.

Barack Obama. It was in 2007 and he had just announced he was running for President. It was early in the primary season, so the event only had a small audience. I was able to work my way to the front and meet him.

Who is your favorite Muppet?

Rizzo the Rat