Melanie is a three-time graduate from The Ohio State University with undergraduate degrees in both Psychology & Aviation, where she attended the OSU Flight School. She also earned a masters in Educational Psychology from the College of Education and Human Ecology where she studied motivational and psychological factors in aviation training. She holds a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating, holds an Advanced Ground Instructor certificate, and an FAA Part 107 commercial uncrewed aircraft pilot certificate. She came to The Center for Aviation Studies from private industry in 2017 where she worked as a marketing & advertising professional and freelance writer, and has served on the board of the Columbus chapter of the American Advertising Federation.
Melanie is also the president and founder of the organization Girls in Science and Technology (GISAT), where she shares her passion for aviation and STEM with elementary school-aged girls in the Central Ohio area. GISAT holds approximately 10 events per year for girls in kindergarten through fifth grade, introducing approximately 200 girls per year to STEM through an Aviation lens.
Melanie was elected to the board of the local non-profit Youth Aviation Adventure in 2016 where she was co-commander of the twice-yearly event held at The Ohio State University Airport from 2017-2019. She currently serves on the Curriculum, Communication, and Web Site committees.
Melanie teaches Aviation 2900 (Air Traffic Control Fundamentals), Aviation 2400 (Fundamentals of UAS), AVN 2300 (Aviation Meteorology) and a brand-new air traffic control course.
Melanie also serves as a STEP mentor and advisor for the OSU student chapter of both the National Gay Pilots' Association and Ace Space.
When Melanie isn't watching airplanes, she is busy running, spending time with her family, reading about aviation, attending concerts, annoying her cats and rabbits, and generally loving life.
Melanie is married to the air traffic manager at The Ohio State University Airport. She has three children - one a graduate of OSU with dual degrees in Atmospheric Science & History (with a minor in Mathematics), and three grandchildren who live in Charlotte, North Carolina.
