Mel has been a volunteer of The Center Project since 2016. After moving to Columbia from New York for grad school, TCP helped Mel find their sense of “home” here in Columbia. Their service at TCP has involved being a Prism Coordinator, a BRITE Volunteer Educator, and a committee member for the Emergency Fund. Mel holds a PhD in Sociology, focusing on relationships between trans youth and their parents. They currently work for a local non-profit serving marginalized youth, particularly those experiencing homelessness. Mel enjoys gardening, arts & crafts, and playing with their cat, Bagel.