Dr. Melissa Beard-Jacob

Multicultural Center 
Ohio Union Suite 1000 
1739 North High Street 
Columbus, OH 43210

Areas of Expertise

• Collective memory and cultural trauma,
• Indigenous methodologies and
• Performance theory

Education

• PhD. Cultural Studies, George Mason
• MA. Film and Media Studies, Wayne State University
• BA. Journalism, Michigan State University

Melissa has been involved with advocating for social justice initiatives within the Native American community since her undergraduate days at Michigan State University. As an undergrad, Melissa was active in the MSU North American Indigenous Student Organization (NAISO) as the public relations representative and the Native American Journalist Association. She received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University and went on to earn a master’s degree in Film and Media Studies from Wayne State University.

Prior to arriving at Ohio State, Melissa served as a program coordinator for the Office of International Programs and Services at George Mason University. She was also the president of the GMU Native American and Indigenous Alliance (NAIA) and a member of the American Indian Society of Washington, D.C.

Melissa is currently a PhD Candidate in the Cultural Studies program at George Mason. Her research interests include: collective memory and cultural trauma, Indigenous methodologies and performance theory. Melissa’s upcoming dissertation will focus on her own family’s personal history and experiences within the Native American boarding school system and its effects on the familial narrative and sense of identity.

As an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Melissa is extremely proud of her Anishinaabe heritage. She hopes to inspire other Native students to obtain a higher education and utilize their gifts and talents to positively influence their tribal communities.