“Meet 220” is a series of posts featuring staff of the Smeal Professional Graduate Programs. “220” refers to the suite of offices within the Business Building where the team is housed.

Melissa Forsha, Administrative Support Coordinator, Professional Graduate Programs

What’s your role with the Smeal PGP office? 

I’m the budget manager for the Professional Graduate Programs. I also serve as office manager and coordinator of the global immersion programs.

What did you do prior to coming to Smeal? 

I’ve been at Smeal for 23 years in various positions and I previously worked as a legal assistant.

What’s your favorite thing about your role? 

My role allows me to be involved with many different people, places, numbers, things.  I get to see and experience a lot.

What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume alone? 

I love to volunteer my time and help others.  I coordinate the college’s efforts each year during Christmas to buy gifts for underprivileged children.  This year we helped 27 children.  We’ve helped as many as 35 in one year.  We purchase and collect new coats, boots, clothes, toys, etc.

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be and why? 

Albert Einstein – I’d love to see what it was like to live in that era, but more importantly, be really, really smart for a few days.