Melissa received her M.F.A in design from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and earned her B.A in Theatre from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  She is excited to join Eastern University and brings with her extensive teaching experience from Alvernia University.  At Alvernia, Melissa developed curriculum and was the resident designer for the University's productions. She also served as the technical director and contributed to the renovation of the theatre space.  Melissa has built a diverse portfolio, having designed at various venues throughout Philadelphia, including the Media Theatre, Act 2 Playhouse, Drexel University, and Bristol Riverside.  In addition to her work in theatre, Melissa is active in the textile industry. In 2021, she launched her own hand-dyed yarn business, where she explores pigments in yarn and has created numerous knitwear designs.  Melissa continues to pursue new methods of design, ranging from textiles and printmaking to lighting and scenery for the stage.