Melissa Van is the assistant dean of human resources and faculty affairs. In this role, she is responsible for the school-level processes that help recruit and hire great faculty and staff, promote their career development, and provide a supportive, collegial environment in which they carry out cutting-edge research and provide excellent education to our students. Specifically, she shared that she is responsible for shepherding faculty hiring, promotion and tenure, and review processes, and staff hiring and review. "[I am] ensuring we do things consistently, fairly, equitably, and in line with the faculty bylaws, faculty handbook, and university policies and procedures," she stated.

What makes you most excited about joining CSE?

After fifteen years of working within the humanities and social sciences, I am thrilled to support faculty and staff who focus on the tangible. CSE’s faculty and staff research inspire me greatly. I come to CSE from HR roles in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at CWRU. Before moving to Cleveland and joining CWRU, I worked at Columbia University with an interdisciplinary group of faculty interested in religious accommodations, pluralism, and models of democracy. Also in my background: years of experience in nonprofit leadership, conflict resolution, and organizational development. I am very excited to work with the faculty and staff at CSE. Robotic ‘crabs’ to remove landmines from shallow water, restoring mobility and sensation to amputees and those paralyzed, and developing novel methods of C02 capture – CSE faculty and student projects are so cool.

What is your favorite thing about CWRU?

I am going to share two favorite things. First, the people. I am continually grateful for the excellent colleagues, friends, and mentors I have found at CWRU. Second, though staff promotional paths aren’t laid out clearly, I love how willing faculty, staff, and administration have been to support staff development and career growth. You just have to ask, listen to feedback, and do the work.

Share something about you! Your hobbies, favorite restaurants or Cleveland spots, a recent book you've read. Anything!

I love languages. Before becoming a parent, I traveled a lot. Now I try to maintain my comprehension of Arabic, Finnish, French, and Spanish via apps, TV, and radio programs I can stream.