We hope you enjoy this series where we meet and get to know employees from across campus. Would you like to be featured? Contact us at campusnews@csufresno.edu.

Name: Melissa Norris
Title: Health Educator
Department: Student Health and Counseling Center
Academic Degree(s):

• Bachelors of Psychology, Fresno State
• Masters in Counseling and Student Services, Higher Education, Fresno State

How long have you worked at Fresno State and which offices have you worked in?
My first student job here was in the DOG DAYS New Student Orientation office the summer before I started as a freshman. As an undergraduate and graduate student, I had the privilege of working as a student assistant in offices like the Learning Center, Student Involvement and the Psychology Department. My professional career started in 2012 when I was hired to oversee the CalMHSA Suicide Prevention grant within the Student Health and Counseling Center (SHCC). While my role has evolved over the years, I recently celebrated 10 years at the SHCC.

Are you a Valley native?
I was born and raised in the Central Valley, so Fresno has always been the place I call home. This made it an easy decision for me to join the Bulldog family.

Are you a Bulldog family with generations of Bulldog graduates or current students?
My sister and I are both graduates of Fresno State and up until last year, also worked as colleagues within the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.

Do you have a campus mentor or someone who has helped you in your career?
I have many mentors who have guided me throughout my time here both as a student and as a professional. Chris Fiorentino was one of my first professors to help me find a place of belonging through service on such a big campus. Individuals such as Dr. Paul Oliaro and Sally Ramage played huge parts in helping me find my passion for higher education and always putting students at the heart of everything I do as a professional.

Breanne Scogin is yet another incredible friend and colleague who helped me broaden my definition of leadership and seek out opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. My current role allows me the opportunity to give back to students and be available as a resource to them to make the most out of their Fresno State experience.

Tell us about your department and what people may not know about it.
The Student Health and Counseling Center is a hidden gem on campus. Too often we hear that students don't know that it exists until they are months away from graduation. We’re a large team all dedicated to keeping students healthy so they can thrive during college.

What are you most passionate about in your field and why?
My passion is helping students maximize their college experience by finding opportunities to engage outside of the classroom. Getting involved on campus and within my community as a student truly shaped my career path and allowed me to grow as an individual. I now have the opportunity to advise multiple volunteer groups and student staff, provide training and development and help them build skills they can use long after they graduate.

What is the most interesting or unusual job you've ever had?
My very first job was working with a local community benefit organization, Fresno Survivors of Suicide Loss. Within the organization I had the opportunity to write grants, organize fundraisers, and provide direct and indirect education about suicide and its prevention in our local community. I met some incredible people and developed a passion for greater awareness of suicide and it’s prevention.

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
My "spare time" is usually spent chasing my two daughters, which often includes dance parties to the latest Disney songs. When I get a moment for "me" I love to read a good book, enjoy a spiced chai at Kuppa Joy, or write. I can easily spend two to three hours at a local coffee shop doing just that.

What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know?
Fun fact: I am related to Edgar Allen Poe. I've got the family tree from him all the way down to me to prove it.