Melissa McKenney

Melissa has worked in higher education for 15 years with the majority of that time spent as a financial aid professional. She currently serves as the Director of Scholarships at Kent State, having joined the university in March 2022. She previously held the position of Associate Director at Youngstown State University where she managed several federal financial aid programs and their compliance. Additionally, Melissa has presented topics and served on panels at state conferences including The Ohio State University's Student Affairs Assessment and Research Conference, and for the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Melissa values her career in financial aid, especially her role as Director of Scholarships, as it coincides with her dedication to educational access for all, regardless of potential financial barriers, as well as her commitment to remaining "student first."