Unlock New Opportunities with ACC

Since 2015, Melynda has served as a dedicated college admissions specialist and academic advisor, helping swimmers and divers navigate the academic side of college recruiting. Her guidance has led student-athletes to gain admission to elite institutions such as Brown, the University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, the Colorado School of Mines, Denison, Emory, and the University of Chicago, to name a few.

Melynda holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she graduated summa cum laude, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in Reading from Hood College. She is also a certified presenter for the National Writing Project, credentials that enhance her ability to support students in crafting powerful college essays and personal narratives.

Before her work in college advising, Melynda spent over 20 years as a Reading Specialist and student outreach advisor, empowering hundreds of students to recognize their potential, advocate for themselves, and pursue higher education—including military and technical pathways. Her deep knowledge of the education system and her passion for student success make her an invaluable part of the ACC team.

When asked what she loves most about her work, Melynda shares: “I love helping people achieve their goals and feel successful. I will work tirelessly to help each student-athlete find their perfect fit for college. It’s my passion and my purpose—it doesn’t even feel like a job.”

Outside of her professional life, Melynda enjoys researching the evolving college landscape, reading great novels, and spending time with her family—her parents, her three children (Holly, Jake, and Amanda), and her two grandchildren, McKenna and Camden.

She is also a proud veteran of the United States Navy, bringing the same dedication and integrity to her work that she brought to her service.

Lori is a true water baby, having grown up under the sun of S Florida, and the umbrella of wonderful coaches. Recruited in high school as a distance swimmer, she swam at UNC-Chapel Hill: took the ‘mandatory time off after college’ and reinvented herself as a USMS master swimmer. She has been a part of masters since 1991 in many different capacities on the local and national level.With a degree in sports management, and thirty years of coaching experience at all levels, Lori knows just what makes the student athlete recruiting process successful.

Her free time is spent with her family of kids and dogs. Her passions include travel, music and anything outdoors or water related.