Melanie Carr Knight, MS, is an educator and organization development practitioner, with over 25 years of providing organization development support to academic institutions, corporations and government agencies, both domestic and foreign. She currently serves as the Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Director of Special Projects for the University of South Carolina Upstate in addition to her work with LWC. Melanie has worked with numerous groups on a wide range of process management skills that support organization effectiveness, such as: organization analysis and diagnosis; change management; team development; creative problem solving; and executive coaching. Melanie’s clients have included the City Administration of Ottawa, Anacostia Economic Development Corporation, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), The American University, British Council, and Children’s National Medical Center.

Education

  • McDaniel College, Administrator Certificate

  • The American University, Master of Science, Organization Development

  • Bowie State University, Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education Magna cum Laude Recipient of The American University Hal Kellner Award acknowledged for commitment to raising issues of social justice, whether based on race, gender, religious differences, ethnicity, culture, nationality, or sexual orientation and as a result added greatly to a cohesive and inclusive community

Projects

  • Collaborated with teachers and administration in the integration of pedagogy practices to promote social-emotional learning and achievement, in partnership with the School Psychology/ College of Education, at University of Maryland, College Park and then provided coaching to support skill development and proficiency.

  • Collaborated with NIH partnerships, Audubon Society programs, and County initiatives to bring educational opportunity into the community on a equitable and inclusive platform and served as community liaison

  • Curriculum creation projects:

    • School tutoring program qualified for funding for past 14 years

    • Mathematics and science for NSA, Capital Children’s Museum’s Scientific Sundays, Home and Hospital Teaching, and the National Building Museum aimed at elementary and secondary levels.

    • Lead consultant for NASA project to design an interactive website for students studying biomes (https://earthobservatory.nasa,gov/biome).

Certifications

  • Coaching for Social and Emotional Intelligence | (NTL & International Coach Federation)

  • MBTI Myers-Briggs Type Indicator: Assessment, Coaching, Teambuilding and Organization Development

  • Facilitative Leadership: Parts I & II

  • Interventions in Organization SystemMaryland Administrative and Supervisory Certification: Administrator I & II

  • Maryland State Department of Education: Advanced Certification for Elementary Education Grades 1-8 & Middle School

    Business Education for Grades 6-12

Board Affiliations

  • Advisor to the NAACP Parents’ Council of Montgomery County, Maryland

  • Executive Board Member, NAACP Parents’ Council of Montgomery County and liaison for MCPS and NAACP Parents’ Council Annual Kick-Off event

  • MCPS Ambassador, Office of Human Resources and Development

  • Board member of Children’s National Medical Center- Patient and Family Advisory Council

  • Past President of the Prince George’s County, Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary 89

  • School liaison for Base Realignment and Closure (BARC) of Walter Reed Medical Hospital