Menu
Photo of Melissa Fry

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

Service Learning: Tools to Connect Across the Globe

Service Learning: Tools to Connect Across the Globe

October 28th, 2024

12:20 PM - 1:10 PM

Movie Night!

Movie Night!

October 28th, 2024

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Halloween Movie and Cookie Decorating

Halloween Movie and Cookie Decorating

October 28th, 2024

6:15 PM - 8:30 PM

Movie Night: Hocus Pocus

Movie Night: Hocus Pocus

October 28th, 2024

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

CANCELED: Ghost Walk

CANCELED: Ghost Walk

October 28th, 2024

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Muslim Student Association Callout Meeting

Muslim Student Association Callout Meeting

October 29th, 2024

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Lunch Bible Study

Lunch Bible Study

October 29th, 2024

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Sustainability Club Meeting

Sustainability Club Meeting

October 29th, 2024

2:45 PM - 3:45 PM

IUSpeakEasy

IUSpeakEasy

October 29th, 2024

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Halloween Party!

Halloween Party!

October 29th, 2024

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Spectrum Fall 2024 Meetings

Spectrum Fall 2024 Meetings

October 29th, 2024

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

See All Events » Submit an Event »

Indiana University Southeast

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

View the website in Español