Besides her part-time responsibilities with AOAP, Melissa currently serves as an Associate Director of Recreational Sports at Sam Houston State University with over 20 years of experience in higher education. In her current role, Melissa coordinates all marketing, promotions, technology, and special events for the Department of Recreational Sports. Previous positions include the Assistant Director of Aquatics and Shared Facilities at Washington State University, Adjunct Instructor for the Washington State University College of Education, as well as various coaching and event management positions. She is currently a doctoral candidate in Higher Education Leadership at Sam Houston State University. Her current research interests are in the work-life balance of university staff, big data usage within higher education, and student employee success. She obtained her B.S. from Truman State University in Exercise Science (minors in music, biology, and business) and her M.S. in Recreation and Sport Management at Purdue University. In Melissa’s free time, she is a Regional USA and TASO State Volleyball Referee, and host of her local trivia league.