First a Student, Now a Teacher: LSC Welcomes Back Program Alum, Kelly Mella

LSC alum, Kelly Mella, joined the department this academic year as a new member of the teaching faculty.

The Department of Life Sciences Communication (LSC) is happy to announce that Kelly Mella is joining us as a new Teaching Faculty. A longtime Badger and alumna, Mella earned her bachelor’s degree (’94) and master’s degree (’97) in the department before completing a PhD in Mass Communication at UW–Madison. Mella brings expert professional experience with her to LSC, previously having worked in communications for natural resources, health and agricultural organizations.   Expanding on her academic experience, she also served as an associate professor and department chair in Communication Studies at Edgewood College (now Edgewood University), where she built her skills as a teacher for 14 years. At Edgewood, Mella taught classes covering social media marketing, intercultural communication, and media writing, and conducted community-based research projects on public health and the environment in diverse communities. We are excited for the academic and professional experience that she will bring with her to LSC!  Finding a Passion for Science Writing  As a student, Mella was initially pre-med at UW–Madison. During one fateful trip to her advisor’s office, however, she saw an intriguing sign on the building next door. The sign read, “Agricultural Journalism,” (now LSC) and it turned out to be where Mella would find her new passion. After completing her bachelor’s degree in LSC and then pursuing a master’s as well, Mella’s experience as a Teaching Assistant for LSC100 would lead her to realize that she also loved teaching.  A Homecoming for the Ages  Years later and now an alumna, Mella is bringing her expertise to several LSC classes where she will teach students how to communicate complex work in an easily digestible way.  For example, in LSC 560: Scientific Writing, Mella will teach graduate students how to communicate their work in research articles and conference settings. Similarly, LSC 561: Writing Science for the Public, will focus on communicating research, but it is centered around adapting messaging to meet the needs of the public. Finally, she will direct and sometimes teach the multi-section LSC 212: Intro to Life Sciences Communication, a course for undergraduates to learn the basics of writing about scientific topics.  Mella hopes her students gain confidence in their writing ability. “Most students are better writers than they think they are,” said Mella. “I think many of them are so anxious about writing that they undercut themselves before they even begin. I want them to leave with more confidence in their ability to do a good job.”  As part of her instruction, Mella hopes to create a community in the classroom where students feel comfortable giving and receiving feedback.   “I want to build a sense of community and closeness in the classroom; once that’s established, you have a strong and healthy learning environment,” Mella said. “They won’t feel they’re being attacked; they’ll feel like feedback is coming from a place of support.”  With her deep roots in the department and her extensive experience in both professional and academic settings, Mella returns to LSC uniquely positioned to mentor the next generation of science communicators. The department is proud to welcome her home.

Kelly Mella (third from left) worked with the Alice in Dairyland program during her time as a Public Information Officer at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Mella stands with (from left to right) DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski, 76th Alice in Dairyland Ashley Hagenow, and 77th Alice in Dairyland (and LSC alum) Halei Heinzel.