Awards

School of Public Health John R. Endwright Alumni Service Award - 2011

About Melissa Heston

Dr. Melissa Heston received her undergraduate degree in physical education from Oklahoma State University in 1980 and her master’s degree in physical education from Indiana University in 1982. She then pursued doctoral work in human performance, focusing on motor development, and in educational psychology, focusing on child development at Indiana University, completing her PhD in 1989. Dr. Heston began her career in the Educational Psychology and Foundations department at the University of Northern Iowa in fall 1989, achieving the rank of Associate Professor. In 2008, she became interim Director of Teacher Education and is currently serving as the Coordinator of Elementary Teacher Education and a member of the Curriculum and Instruction Department. Throughout her career, Dr. Heston has been deeply involved in departmental, college, university and professional service. Her current research interests are specifically centered on the self-study of teacher education practices, and more broadly on leadership and excellence in college teaching.