Kelly Curry ’08 is the recipient of the 2021 Nathalie Molton Gibbons Young Achiever’s Award, which is given annually to an alumnus age 35 or younger whose career and community contributions have reflected positively at the local, state or national level.
Curry is a child family therapist, maternity supervisor and reunification counselor at Agape of Central Alabama, where she works to create positive long-term outcomes for vulnerable children by matching them with foster and adoptive families.
Curry has always had a passion for helping others, and her education at Montevallo helped to lay the foundation for the impactful work she is doing now. After earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology and social work from Montevallo, she earned her master’s degree in social work from The University of Alabama.
“Kelly has used every ounce of her degree from Montevallo, coupled with a master’s degree, to literally change the world for hundreds of people in a way that will be felt for generations to come,” Reagan Denson ’03 wrote in a letter supporting Curry’s nomination for the award. “Kelly, herself being of South Korean descent, was adopted as an infant and brought home to the U.S. Since I have known her, she has been very clear that what she wanted to do was work in international adoption and help children, just like herself, to find those loving forever homes just like she did.”
Curry has also been heavily involved in several community organizations. She currently serves on the Mtendere Village U.S. Board of Directors, the Alabama Conference of Social Work Constitution and By-Laws Committee, The University of Alabama School of Social Work’s International Programs Advisory Task Group and is an alumna advisor for the Chi Omega sorority. She also previously served on the UMNAA Junior Board of Directors.
“She came to Montevallo with a passion. While at UM, she found a path to direct her passion. Since UM, she has lived her passion,” Denson wrote. “I fully believe that God made her for this purpose. I’m beyond proud to call her my dear friend, and the University of Montevallo should also be beyond proud to say that she is part of its family too.”
Curry lives in Hoover with her husband, Lance Curry ’07, and their daughter, Ella.
