Biography

After earning her BA from the University of Rhode Island (URI) in 1998, Melissa pursued her love of Psychology as a Mental Health Counselor at a residential treatment facility for adolescent females, infusing adventure-based counseling into her work with teens. Completing an MS in Human Development and Family Studies at URI in 2003, she served as the Associate Director at Texas Christian University’s (TCU) Leadership Center as a facilitator, educator, consultant and organizational advisor. While at TCU, Melissa also served as the Strengths Coordinator, where she successfully advocated for the campus-wide use of Gallup’s strengths-based approach to leadership development, and focused on providing individualized development and training opportunities to both students and community members. Melissa has pursued additional education in Higher Education, assessment, MBA courses, diversity and inclusion, as well as a certificate in Human Resources, and has used this knowledge to support and direct URI’s Center for Student Leadership Development since 2006 as an instructor, advisor, supervisor, and Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. Outside of the classroom, Melissa enjoys time adventuring in the outdoors and in the kitchen, as well as spending time entertaining with her family.

Melissa’s CliftonStrengths: Input, Learner, Achiever, Deliberative, Harmony

Melissa’s Character Strengths: Judgement, Perseverance, Prudence, Love of Learning, Fairness

Ask Melissa about: LDR 190/Intro to Leadership, LDR 290/Modern Leadership Issues, LDR 412/Leadership Capstone option, LDR 413/SOLC, LDR 415/Peer Leaders, LDR 417/Leadership Minor Internship, General Leadership Studies Minor advising / Leadership Minor Audits, CliftonStrengths Coaching