WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Area residents will see a new face at activities and events hosted by Missouri State University-West Plains and its development office staff.

Melody Hubbell recently joined the university as the new assistant director of development.  Her first day on the job was June 4.

“We are thrilled to have Melody join the Missouri State-West Plains family,” said Director of Development Joe Kammerer.  “Her skills and talents will complement our staff’s diversity and allow us to continue to grow the services we offer to our alumni, donors and the community.”

The Caulfield native and 2003 graduate of West Plains High School said she is happy to be back in her hometown.  “It was really good timing.  I wanted to work in higher education, and my mother was constantly keeping her eye out for those types of opportunities,” she said.

After high school graduation, Hubbell attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, where, in 2007, she obtained a bachelor of science degree in journalism with a public relations emphasis and minor in grapic design.

She also served as a public relations intern at the university, writing news releases and articles about scholarship recipients.  “It was an experience I didn’t expect.  I discovered the work I did mattered, that I was a piece of a bigger puzzle.  Since then, I’ve always wanted to work with an organization that has a greater cause,” she explained.

She found such opportunities during her five-and-a-half years as a public relations specialist at The Communications Group in Little Rock, Ark.  In her position, she worked on health-related campaigns and programs for such entities as Healthy Families, ARKids First, Delta Regional Authority and BreastCare.

Hubbell said she believes this experience outside of the area gives her a unique perspective that will be beneficial as Missouri State-West Plains looks forward.  “My time away from this area has given me an opportunity to look from the outside in.  I feel I can bring both perspectives to the table when addressing the needs for our campus’ future.  It’s rare for someone to live here and know the culture so well, leave here, then come back with a different perspective,” she explained.

As assitant director of development, Hubbell will work with the campus’ alumni and future alumni, helping them understand the importance of their involvement with the university through fundraising and volunteering for its future success.  She also will help develop the department’s communication pieces, including event materials, posters, newsletters, invitations and social media sites.

“I feel like I do better work when I do something that means something to someone,” she said.

Hubbell and her husband, Marc, have a 10-month-old son, Charlie.