Melissa Brode

• Ed.S. Curriculum and Instruction '16, MSA Public Administration '25

Biography

Melissa Brode is Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Programs in the University of West Florida’s Lewis Bear Jr. College of Business, where she has been instrumental in shaping program growth, curricular innovation, and student success for more than two decades. She has guided the MBA program through significant expansion, accreditation cycles, and the development of global partnerships, leading initiatives that include international study abroad experiences and embedded certificates that position graduates for career advancement.

Brode holds an Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction and an MSA. in Public Administration from UWF and is a Project Management Professional and a SHRM-Certified Professional. Her scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed articles and conference presentations on topics such as graduate program assessment, business case competitions, and high-impact practices in business education. She has also co-led funded research examining MBA admissions and learning outcomes.

Beyond academics, Brode is deeply engaged in professional and civic leadership, holding leadership roles in Phi Kappa Phi and Omicron Delta Kappa and serving as a member of the Five Flags Rotary of Pensacola. Her contributions have been honored with the UWF Marion Viccars Award, the Bear Extraordinary Service Award, and the Best of Strictly Business Award—reflecting her commitment to excellence, innovation, and community impact.