Dr. Melissa Taylor has worked in the College of Natural Sciences since April 2009 and currently serves as Assistant Dean for Strategy and Planning.  Her responsibilities include the coordination of strategic planning across the college, strategic management of the instructional budget, management of the College Budget Council & external reviews, and facilitation of change & innovation initiatives under the leadership of the Dean.

Prior to her current role, Melissa directed undergraduate honors and scholarship programs in the College of Natural Sciences.  She has previously worked in higher education admissions and alumni relations and is proud of her years of service as a U. S. Peace Corps volunteer.  Melissa holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, where her research focused on socioeconomic upward mobility in postsecondary pathways that combine 2-year and 4-year institutions.