Melissa was an anchor of the Rutgers Graduate School of Education GSE, who welcomed every new member, serving as an ambassador for our entire community in her role as Human Resources Manager. She was immensely devoted to her colleagues and worked diligently to make the GSE a stronger, more cohesive, diverse, and inclusive community. Melissa took the time to make people feel special, seen, and heard.  She encouraged staff to take on leadership roles, to seek opportunities for advancement, and to contribute their talents to the wider Rutgers community. She will forever be fondly remembered for her grace, tenacity, warmth, caring, and unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Through this fund, we can honor Melissa’s commitment to staff development. Melissa believed that providing staff with opportunities for self-improvement created a better, more equitable workplace, and that this in turn created a better experience for both students and faculty. The scholarship will ensure that for generations to come, staff at the GSE can avail themselves of professional development opportunities, and continue Melissa’s legacy of lifelong learning and active engagement within the workplace.

Some of the opportunities we can provide with this scholarship include conference attendance, professional development, certificate and training programs, just to name a few. In addition to the scholarship, the first $5,000 raised will allow us to name a bench in Melissa’s honor outside the GSE.

Melissa was sunshine personified and will be missed tremendously. We will remember her with love and gratitude, and strive to uphold her legacy of warmth, faith, and a table set for all. Help us keep her memory alive.