Melodie Hunnicutt

Dr. Melodie Hunnicutt serves as an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Newberry College and Executive Director of the James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation in Columbia, South Carolina—a role held since November 2000. The Foundation operates statewide with offices in Columbia, Florence, Lancaster, and Sumter, delivering comprehensive treatment, support, and prevention services for sickle cell disease.

Her academic credentials include:

• EdD and EdS in Education from Wingate University
• Master's in Education from the University of South Carolina
• B.A. in Human Services from the University of South Carolina

Dr. Hunnicutt's professional expertise centers on health psychology and community psychology, particularly through her leadership in sickle cell disease advocacy, clinical service coordination, and public education initiatives. Her work bridges psychological support with public health infrastructure, emphasizing family-centered care and community outreach. As an active member of the American Psychological Association and Society for the Teaching of Psychology, she contributes to psychology education frameworks while managing the Foundation's strategic operations.

She actively volunteers for animal rescue and women's rights organizations, balancing this with family life as mother to four children (Kelly, Anthony, Caroline, Andrew) and grandmother to four grandsons (Cavan, Kaelem, Connor, Casey), alongside caring for multiple rescue animals. An avid runner, she utilizes this activity for personal reflection and wellness.