Melissa has dedicated her entire career to public education, serving her campus community for over 23 years in a variety of impactful roles, including band director, College & Career Transition Coordinator, and Academic Guidance Counselor. For the past five years, she has served as a school counselor, where she has guided students through both academic planning and the highly competitive college admissions process.

 

Her expertise spans a wide range of student needs, from those exploring potential majors to those targeting highly selective universities across Texas and the nation, particularly in STEM fields. As a Transition Coordinator and Guidance Counselor, Melissa has successfully supported students in navigating rigorous academic pathways, including dual credit, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate programs, and Career & Technical Education tracks.
 

Melissa is also an experienced presenter at national education conferences. She presented “Building Career Academies” at the National Career Academy Coalition Conference in Las Vegas and “Leander High School Smaller Learning Communities: Rigor, Relevance, Relationships” at the National Career Academy Coalition Conference in Philadelphia. Her work reflects a deep commitment to designing programs that connect academic rigor with real-world relevance and strong student relationships.

 

A native Texan, Melissa resides north of Austin with her husband of 19 years. Since graduating from Sam Houston State University in 2001, she has built her life and career in the Austin area. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys spending time with family and friends on the golf course, traveling, and attending local sporting events. She is especially passionate about sharing her love of golf with both colleagues and students, often spending her free time out on the course.