Melissa McAllister received her Bachelor's degree in International Studies from Emory University and her Master's degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) and Applied Linguistics from Georgia State University, and she earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction at the University of Wyoming. Melissa has taught ESL in community outreach programs, in public and private high schools, and at the college level across the United States and in the Middle East. 

At SPC, she serves as the Academic Director of the college's Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. She is also a faculty member in the College of Education, and she enjoys working with preservice teachers to prepare them to work effectively with English learners.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, photography, reading, cooking, and spending time with her family.