Before coming to Samford, Shelby was an AP Scholar with Distinction, the President of the French Club, and a member of the FFA Chapter and Marching Band at Wilson Central. While attending Samford, she has become President of Samford's Eta Nu chapter of Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society and has participated in research with Dr. Anthony Overton. Shelby's service placement is located at McWane Science Center in the World of Water, where she helps the aquarist team with husbandry of fresh and saltwater organisms. For three consecutive summers, Shelby has studied and worked at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, gaining experience in marine ecology. After graduation, Shelby plans to earn her Master's degree in Marine Science and then use her degrees to research the behavior and habitat use of fish and contribute to the conservation of aquatic ecosystems.