Melody Mann

Melody Mann is a PhD student in Sociology at the University of Maryland, College Park, with a research focus at the intersection of special education, immigration, and disability studies. Her academic journey is deeply rooted in educational equity, with previous degrees in Psychology, Special Education, and Child & Adolescent Development. Melody has contributed to several interdisciplinary research projects across institutions, including studies on culturally responsive practices for children with autism, mental health support in faith-based communities, and language-accessible communication systems. She is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholar and has presented her work at national and international conferences, including the Council for Exceptional Children and the International Society on Early Intervention.

Melody has held teaching roles at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the University of Maryland, and brings prior experience in both classroom teaching and special education services. Her passion for representation and equity informs her work with organizations like the Center for Educational Improvement and her previous service on the Hawaiʻi Association for Behavior Analysis board. Melody’s current research explores how to strengthen cross-sector collaboration between education and healthcare systems, particularly in support of culturally and linguistically diverse families navigating developmental disabilities. Her scholarly work is matched by a deep commitment to community engagement and inclusive educational practices.