Melissa Giess

Melissa Giess is a first-generation college student with a B.A. in English and Communication Studies from West Chester University and an M.Ed in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania. She has served in a variety of roles in higher education for over 20 years, most recently as the Assistant Dean of Students and Weis College House Dean at Franklin and Marshall College. Prior to her tenure at F&M, Melissa worked for many years as the Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Residence Life at Ursinus College. Melissa’s career has provided opportunities to support students in areas such as the first-year experience, new student orientation, residence life, crisis response, Title IX, academic advising, and high-impact practices, most specifically teaching within Ursinus’ Common Intellectual Experience. She also served as a Resource Faculty Member for the Washington Center for Improving Undergraduate Education at Evergreen State College. In her free time, she spends most of her time with her partner and their three young children. They love camping, reading, cooking, and supporting Philadelphia sports teams.