"Particularly relevant to this new position are his support for hands-on STEM education and his work in setting up the Michigan Department of Workforce Development," Dean of the MSU College of Education Robert Floden said in an email. "His new position will focus on the federal role in career and technical education, where the challenge is to help schools deliver on the ‘career’ component of the goal for all students to be 'college and career ready.’"  

Kelly's background includes his current positions as the chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and chair of the House Education Reform policy committee. More of his education-related work background includes serving in former Michigan Governor John Engler’s administration as the governor’s education policy advisor and special advisor to the director of the Michigan Department of Career Development.

His original campaign website for 94th District Representative states: "As the Special Advisor to the Director of the Michigan Department of Career Development, Tim helped create and lead a state agency that revolutionized career preparation, education and job training for displaced workers and families."

This is Kelly's third and final term serving in the Michigan House of Representatives.