Melissa M. Burnham

Dr. Melissa Burnham is the Associate Dean for the College of Education and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies and Early Childhood Education. She has been a faculty member at the University of Nevada, Reno since the fall of 2001. Dr. Burnham's research interests focus on the examination of infant and child development in context. She has studied the impact of quality early care and education on child development and P-3 educational reform efforts, and has been involved in P-3 work at the local and state levels in Nevada since 2011. Dr. Burnham has worked on an initiative resulting in existing primary grade teachers obtaining licensure in Early Childhood Education, and in the creation of a new Educational Leadership principal preparation program in collaboration with a local school district. Thus, her work spans research, policy, and practice.