Biography

Melinda Crecelius-Lanham (she/her) is the Director of Advising and Student Success in the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music where she oversees all programs and services related to students’ academic progression towards graduation as well as their overall well-being. Her student success philosophy is rooted in the belief that students cannot reach their full potential in the classroom if they are not supported outside the classroom.

After over a decade in non-profit theatre, Melinda joined the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2020 as an Academic Advisor in the College of Arts & Sciences advising music, theatre, and art students. She is an active member of NACADA, the Global Community for Academic Advising, where she has served on the Region 3 Steering Committee, conference committees and, most recently, as conference co-chair. She is also a recipient of the university’s Excellence in Advising Award.

Melinda holds degrees in Dramatic Arts (BA), Theatre Education (MA), and College Student Personnel (MEd). Outside of work, Melinda enjoys spending time with her husband and two children as well as being a part of and teaching virtual group fitness classes with Fit4Mom Louisville.