Dr. Kelly Boyer Ontl

Dr. Kelly Boyer Ontl is Vice President of Enterprise Education Academic Affairs at Unity Environmental University, where she provides academic leadership and curriculum oversight for the University’s degree programs within Enterprise Education. She previously served as Dean of Graduate Studies and Dean of Environmental Conservation in Distance Education.
An ecologist, animal behaviorist, and wildlife conservationist, Kelly brings more than 20 years of experience in conservation science, spanning higher education, wildlife research, and international fieldwork. Her work has included primate research and conservation in West Africa, as well as roles in zoological and sanctuary settings. She previously held faculty positions at Michigan Technological University and Ball State University, and founded the Falémé Chimpanzee Conservation Project in Senegal.
Dr. Boyer Ontl holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and an M.A. in Anthropology, both from Iowa State University, and a B.A. in Animal Behavior from Franklin & Marshall College. She is particularly interested in developing academic programs and partnerships that connect students to real-world environmental, animal welfare, and conservation challenges.