With a career defined by confidence, resilience, and a growth-oriented mindset, Dr. Melanie Rose is no stranger to leadership. Recently, she assumed a new role as Chair of the Kinesiology Department at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas. There, she also serves as an assistant professor and the Employee Wellness Program Coordinator. While this is no small feat, Dr. Rose is not new to juggling various responsibilities.
Before earning her doctorate, Dr. Rose built an impressive career with roles varying across nearly all aspects of health and wellness. She has led fitness and wellness programs at the community, state, regional, and national levels, blending her professional expertise with a servant-leadership approach. From serving as the U.S. Health and Wellbeing Program Manager at an international pharmaceutical and medical device company, to running her own company, Melrose CPR, she has always sought to connect wellness with people’s lived experiences. These efforts align closely with her research interests in chronic stress, trauma-informed fitness experiences, and the psychosocial factors influencing how people engage with exercise. Her dissertation, Good Grief: An Autoethnography of an Instructor’s Quest for Trauma-Informed Enhancements to the Group Fitness Experience (2025), reflects this commitment by exploring the intersection of grief, trauma, and exercise, and how fitness spaces can be reimagined to foster healing and resilience.
Reflecting on her experience in UNCG’s EdD in Kinesiology program, Dr. Rose credits the support from faculty and her cohort for her success. She recalls the willingness of staff to connect and answer questions during her application process to be a deciding factor in choosing the program. Further, the cohort model created a more intimate environment that fostered collaboration and development.
Her biggest lesson, “You’ve got to go get yours,” remains at the forefront of her journey. For Dr. Rose, the phrase is not just about ambition. Instead, it is about refusing victimhood, rejecting herd mentality, and embracing the power of carving out your own path. For her, this meant becoming innovative in her approach, trusting her expertise, and promoting herself, while also celebrating the successes of others. Her self-determination has established her as a dynamic leader grounded in authenticity.
Her advice for students is simple: no question is a dumb one, so ask. Learn how to read and interpret information quickly, stand on your own two feet, lean on your peers for support, and take breaks when needed.
As she looks ahead, Dr. Rose is committed to education and creating spaces where others may grow into their healthiest selves. Her work, both in and outside of the classroom, is a reflection of her belief that wellness is not merely physical but connected to resilience and community.
Congratulations, Dr. Rose!
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