Associate Dean of Administration
Melissa Ash, known to her colleagues and friends as Mash, started her journey with the IIRP in 2014 when she enrolled in the graduate school. Previously enrolled in a master’s program for school counseling, she realized she longed for a field more focused on community connection and decided to redirect her future. Following the completion of her Master of Science in Restorative Practices, she primarily applied her knowledge in the fields of higher education and civic engagement. As the Associate Dean of Administration for the IIRP, Melissa supports the organization through planning and implementing institutional processes, guiding long-range strategic and operational plans, and by addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to continually enhance organizational culture.
Melissa enjoys spending time with her family, playing guitar, and has also been known to perform some magic. She works closely with her wife to maintain their nonprofit, an organization made in their son’s memory aimed to support families with medically complex children.