Dr. Melissa Stroud
Avery T. Willis Center for Global Mobilization and International Student Services
- Geiger Center, 109
- 405.585.5260 (office)
- melissa.stroud@okbu.edu
Biography
Melissa joined the staff at OBU in May of 2017 after serving internationally in Thailand for nearly five years. There, she and her husband worked in higher education as an avenue to live their lives on mission. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in Connecticut, her life has been embedded with cross-cultural experiences. Returning to serve at OBU after years of ministry within the context of higher education settings in Hawaii, California, and Thailand has been a beautiful journey. She and her family live in Shawnee with their two kids and enjoy their involvement in the local church and life on campus. Melissa is passionate about encouraging university students to grow in their identity in Christ and respond to the call to make God's name known among the nations.
Education
- Anderson University, Anderson, South Carolina
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D), Leadership: Christian Ministry
- Dissertation: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study of Complexity Leadership on Short-Term Mission Teams
- Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary (Gateway Seminary of the SBC), Mill Valley, California
- Master of Theological Studies, 2005 – 2008
- Theological Field Education: Northeast China
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Union University, Jackson, Tennessee
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Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, 2005-2007
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Ethnographic Research: "Health and Nutrition Study in Yantai, China"
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Capstone: "Selecting, Training, Retaining, and Supporting Volunteers for International Students"
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Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK
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Bachelor of Arts, 2004
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Major: Cross-Cultural Ministry
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Minor: Anthropology
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International Internship - Youth Ministry, Armidale, NSW, AustraliaIndigenous Anthropology Emphasis, University of Hawaii, Manoa
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Selected Presentations
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Anderson University, SC: Leadership Roundtable