Melissa Seipel received her Ph.D. in communication from Cornell University (2021), with a focus on entertainment media psychology, media effects, and persuasion. Previously, she completed her master's in mass communications (2017) and bachelor's in communications & German studies (2013) from Brigham Young University. Although "raised" as a quantitative researcher, her favorite research projects lie in the qualitative realm - including her dissertation which explored audience engagement with antihero characters in TV and film. She has published articles in the Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising, Journal of Promotion Management, and Public Relations Journal.
Melissa works full-time in the BYU Admissions department as the International Admissions Coordinator and an outreach representative where she gets to use her background in research and communication to help bring students around the world to this unique university. She is excited to return to teaching, which she gained a love for as a graduate instructor, guest lecturer, and TA at Cornell.
