Melissa is the Assistant Director of the African Studies Center. She brings to the role extensive grants management experience in international public health, having worked and consulted for a number of NGOs operating in Africa and elsewhere. She studied at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and completed a Certificate in African Studies while majoring in International Politics. After attaining her Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service, she lived in Côte d’Ivoire working on a Fulbright fellowship focused on the assessment of programs to help families affected by HIV/AIDS. Her time in Côte d’Ivoire was life-changing. After returning to the United States and working on a USAID-funded global AIDS prevention program for three years, Melissa completed an MBA at Harvard Business School. She then worked at Harvard University in a number of roles before returning to international public health. While professionally focused on global matters, Melissa is also deeply committed to giving back to her local community. She recently completed six years as an elected member of her town’s School Committee.