Keelin Kistner

As a second-year Juris Doctor candidate at Vermont Law & Graduate School, I bring a uniquely multidisciplinary background combining military service, scientific expertise, and a decade of educational and community leadership. As a U.S. Air Force officer and Academy graduate with a B.S. in Chemistry, I served in multiple operational roles across the country and abroad before transitioning into focusing on raising my family and freelance education. As a dedicated homeschool educator, I designed and delivered comprehensive curriculum for four students,  worked as STEM Adjunct Faculty at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, mentored 25+ youth through 4-H programming in STEAM and community service. My community involvement runs deep — as an active member of the Vestal Volunteer Fire Department, I respond in situations that demand composure, teamwork, and sound judgment. I also work with Twin Tiers Honor Flight as a grant writer, researching funding opportunities and crafting compelling proposals to help honor the veterans who served before me. These experiences — spanning the military, the classroom, the firehouse, and the community — have forged the research, writing, analytical, and organizational abilities I bring to my legal studies and to every professional endeavor.

• U.S. Air Force Officer — Served in multiple operational roles as a meteorologist and Chief of Protocol, providing mission-critical analysis and advising senior commanders on policy and high-level diplomatic engagements.
• STEM Educator & Adjunct Faculty — Developed and taught college-preparatory coursework at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics while homeschooling four students with a self-designed curriculum and mentoring 25+ youth through 4-H programming.
• Community Servant & First Responder — Active member of the Vestal Volunteer Fire Department, responding to emergency situations alongside fellow community members in high-pressure environments.
• Grant Writer & Veteran Advocate — Researched funding opportunities and crafted compelling grant proposals for Twin Tiers Honor Flight, supporting the mission of honoring those who served.

B.S. Chemistry, United States Air Force Academy

2L JD Candidate, Vermont Law and Graduate School