Melanie Harris Turner proudly serves as a Strategy Director with Complete College America. During her career, she has focused on identifying and narrowing the gaps prevalent in higher education that vastly affect marginalized groups.

Prior to joining the Complete College America team, Melanie served as an Implementation Project Manager for one of the largest education technology companies serving over 80 percent of the world’s top academic institutions. During her tenure, Melanie worked with over 100 clients, working to advocate for client’s needs, serve as a liaison between clients and the company, and was the point person to successfully execute all project needs and goals. With a passion for student success, Melanie previously worked at Georgia State University as a Coordinator of First-Year Success Programs. She successfully revamped training and instructor resources for faculty, staff, and graduate students teaching the university’s required academic orientation course. Additionally, Melanie established Gen1: First-Generation Success Programs providing resources, scholarships, mentorship, and events to 4,500 first-generation students at the university.

Melanie is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at Clemson University pursuing a degree in Educational Leadership-Higher Education. She also serves as the NASPA (Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) Region III NUFP (NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program) Coordinator. Melanie earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master of Education from the University of South Florida in Curriculum and Instruction – College Student Affairs.