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Melissa S. Fry Ph.D.


Hausfeldt 139
Crestview Hall 013
Phone: (812) 941-2105
frym@iu.edu

Biography

Dr. Fry is a public and applied sociologist. She focuses on community development through applied work serving area nonprofit organizations, government entities, and coalitions. Her work includes issue based research on the IU Southeast service region, needs assessments, strategic planning, and program evaluation. Before joining the IUS faculty, she taught at Auburn University and spent four years as a research and policy associate at the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development in Berea, KY. Dr. Fry’s career began with a dissertation on public policy implementation in community based services for the aging and the mentally ill.

Dr. Fry has explored the intersection of political institutions, policy and inequality through work on poverty, homelessness, veterans, education, charter schools, childcare, violence against women, supports for the working poor, payday lending, state tax and budget issues, sustainable development, higher education affordability and the fiscal impact of the coal industry in Kentucky.

Academic Background

  • Doctorate

    • University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
    • Doctor of Philosophy, Major in Sociology
  • Masters

    • University of Memphis, Center for Research on Women, Memphis, TN, United States
    • Master of Arts, Major in Sociology
  • Bachelors

    • Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA, United States
    • Bachelor of Arts, Major in Sociology, Minor in Gender and Women’s Studies

Professional Interests

Teaching

Applied Sociology, Public Policy, Political Institutions, Community, Social Inequality with specialization in Race, Class, and Gender, Complex Organizations, Nonprofit Community Services, and Sustainability and Regeneration Studies. 

Campus Events

Return to School Fridays Information Session

Return to School Fridays Information Session

December 6th, 2024

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Holiday Pops

Holiday Pops

December 7th, 2024

7:30 PM - 7:30 PM

Pancakes and Prep

Pancakes and Prep

December 9th, 2024

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Christmas Party!

Christmas Party!

December 9th, 2024

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Hot Chocolate Bar

Hot Chocolate Bar

December 10th, 2024

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Sustainability Club Meeting

Sustainability Club Meeting

December 10th, 2024

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Auditions for “The Spitfire Grill” (copy)

Auditions for “The Spitfire Grill” (copy)

December 10th, 2024

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Finals Study & Christmas Movie Night

Finals Study & Christmas Movie Night

December 11th, 2024

4:30 PM - 8:00 PM

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Indiana University Southeast

4201 Grant Line Rd.
New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 941-2333

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