Melissa Zink

About Melissa Zink

Hi there! I\'m Melissa — a strategic, solutions-driven program and project management professional who thrives at the intersection of organization, innovation, and impact. With a strong foundation in education and a career that’s expanded into large-scale initiatives at the institutional level, I specialize in turning complex challenges into streamlined, actionable plans. After 12+ years in the classroom, I transitioned into project and program management roles that allow me to amplify organizational goals through data-informed strategy, collaboration, and execution. At MD Anderson, I lead and support strategic initiatives across education and training, optimizing workflows, building tools that save time, and helping leadership make decisions grounded in data and purpose. I’m Coursera-certified in both Project Management and Data Analytics, and I combine those skills to build smart, efficient systems that move projects from concept to completion with measurable results. Whether I’m building cross-functional dashboards, crafting executive-level presentations, or coordinating faculty initiatives, I bring clarity, calm, and structure to fast-moving environments. Let’s connect if you’re passionate about strategic execution, learning innovation, or building frameworks that turn great ideas into lasting impact.#ProgramManagement #StrategicExecution #ProcessImprovement #DataAnalytics #HigherEdLeadership #CrossFunctionalCollaboration #LifelongLearner #EfficiencyExpert

Experience

1. Department Lead

   Pasadena Independent School District

   Aug 2016 — Present · Houston, TX, US

   Successfully established and managed educational projects, meeting 100% of project timeline expectations for a cohort of over 100 learners daily. Utilized LMS-based metrics to interpret data and increase participant scores by 26% throughout the academic calendar year. Integrated multiple LMS platforms (such as Canvas, Google Classroom, etc.) and EdTech tools to streamline project scope and objectives for an audience of over 400 learners. Guided a team of 6+ employees through the transition to an online educational platform, resulting in a 53% reduction in printing costs for the company. Developed and implemented creative, learner-centered training materials, leading to a mastery level of 85% within 12 months.

Education

• Coursera

  Certificate

• University of Houston

  Bachelor of Arts - BA

  2003 — 2006

• Northwestern State University

  Master of Arts - MA

  2010 — 2013