Melissa Gaeke
Melissa Gaeke, director of the Volunteer Center, inspires students to be leaders and to make a difference.
“One of Melissa’s standout qualities is her ability to draw on and build talented student leaders—motivating them to take on challenges, stretching them in terms of their skills and nurturing them as individuals,” says Amy Johnson, associate dean of students. “As supervisor, she is also a mentor and her students respond to her thoughtfulness, intelligence and sense of humor.”
Melissa, a USC staff member since 2003, works closely with 14 student coordinators to develop and implement a variety of community service and educational programs, including Friends and Neighbors Service Days and Alternative Breaks.
In addition to overseeing the Volunteer Center, which develops partnerships both on and off campus to foster community service opportunities, Melissa also represents the division on a variety of university-wide, community service committees and programs.
“I think that the student environment at USC is so exciting,” says Melissa. “I love that the Volunteer Center is a part of it and is able to help people get and stay connected to the community.”
Melissa earned her bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from Colorado State University, a master of public administration from New York University and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in public administration at USC’s School of Policy, Planning, and Development. She expects to complete her doctorate in May 2008.