Melissa Snyder

Melissa Snyder is an Associate Professor in the School of Health Sciences at Western Carolina University (WCU), where she has served as Clinical Education Coordinator since 2023. Previously, she held roles including Program Director (2017–2022) and Clinical Coordinator. Her academic journey includes prior faculty positions at Ashland University. She specializes in athletic training education, focusing on peer-assisted learning, interprofessional education, and DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility).

Dr. Snyder’s education includes a PhD in Kinesiology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, an MS in Exercise and Sport Science, and a BS in Athletic Training from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. She brings extensive clinical experience in college athletics (DI-DIII), youth sports, and professional leagues like the Carolina Dynamo Soccer Team.

Her teaching spans performance enhancement, exercise physiology, spine evaluation, and evidence-based practice, alongside courses in public health and neuroanatomy. Research highlights include interprofessional living learning communities and competency-based educational strategies, emphasizing collaborative healthcare training.

Her publications explore topics such as LGBTQIA+ patient care, cross-cultural service-learning, and peer assessment in clinical education. Though no awards are listed, her work underscores innovation in healthcare education methodologies.

Dr. Snyder’s career reflects a commitment to clinical education excellence, with roles shaping athletic training programs and fostering interprofessional collaboration across disciplines.