If you had to sum up Ramona Mellott in two words, it would be these: teaching and cakes. As a child in India, she daydreamed of becoming an educator while baking with her mother. As dean of the College of Education, Mellott is known for her compassionate leadership and her delicious cake confections. After 12 years at the helm of the college, Mellott is stepping down to resume teaching in the Department of Educational Psychology—but don’t worry, she’ll never stop bringing dessert to work. Read on to find out when Mellott first came to NAU and where she’s headed this summer.
What first brought you to NAU?
I always knew I wanted to teach. As I was finishing my doctoral program in counseling psychology, I applied for faculty positions across the country. But within a few hours of my interview at NAU, I had a feeling—this was the place. I remember being very open about that during the visit, so I was especially grateful when I was offered the position as an assistant professor. It just felt right from the start.
What’s kept you at NAU all these years?
Soon after moving to Flagstaff in August 1991, Mike and I began growing our family—our sons Matthew and Mark—and a couple of very special dogs along the way (Sara, and later Bo who is still with us). We knew Flagstaff would be a wonderful place to raise a family.
What has kept me at NAU, though, is the people and the culture. I’ve always felt welcomed and appreciated. There’s a spirit here that says, “If you’re willing to put in the work, we’ll support you in doing what’s best for students and programs.” That kind of trust and opportunity is hard to leave. I have had several positions during these last 35 years, from faculty to department chair to graduate dean, and for the last 12 years, College of Education dean.
How has your personal background influenced your work?
Education was always important in my family. My parents did not have college degrees, but there was never any doubt that I would go to college—it was simply expected.
I decided in seventh grade that I wanted to teach at the university level. At first, I thought I would major in English, but everything changed when a friend asked me to read for a visually impaired student taking psychology courses. I was instantly drawn in—I didn’t even know psychology existed as a field before that.
I also had a dream of studying in the United States, especially since some of my mother’s siblings had settled here. After completing my master’s, I applied to doctoral programs, received an assistantship and began that journey. Along the way, I taught as many classes as I could and did research to prepare for a faculty career—and I met my husband, Mike. We married halfway through my program.
Looking back, those early experiences shaped everything: my love for teaching and my commitment to helping students find their path.
Tell us about a day in the life of your job as dean.
No two days are quite the same, which keeps things interesting. A typical day includes answering a lot of emails and attending many meetings, including meetings with my direct reports. I spend time reviewing budgets, curriculum plans and grants, reviewing data (I am a big fan of Enterprise Reporting), interviewing faculty candidates, attending open forums and participating in events—everything from welcoming new students to celebrating graduates.
There’s also a significant decision-making component—sometimes big-picture strategy, sometimes very practical things like space or staffing. At the heart of it, though, the role of a dean is about supporting people and creating conditions where students, faculty and programs can thrive.
Even with administrative responsibilities, I’ve continued to teach and work with students on graduate research projects. NAU has given me an incredible career, a strong sense of community and opportunities beyond anything I could have imagined. My entire professional life has been shaped here, and I’m deeply grateful.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher—always a teacher.
What’s your favorite childhood memory?
Some of my favorite memories are from New Year’s Eve celebrations with our neighbors. I grew up in an apartment building with nine families and about 19 kids, with most of us within a 5-year age range. We would celebrate together with food, fireworks and just a lot of joy. We also spent long summer evenings playing games with kids
from our building and neighboring buildings. Play was such a big part of my childhood—especially those summer nights that seemed to go on forever.
What’s something you’ve done recently that you’re proud of?
I’m most proud of our students, staff, and faculty—and the culture we’ve built within the College of Education. There’s a genuine warmth and care, along with a deep commitment to our students. Our programs are nationally recognized and accredited, but what brings me the greatest pride is seeing where our students go and the impact they have in schools and communities.
There’s nothing I can take sole credit for—it truly takes a team. I feel fortunate to be part of a college, and a community, filled with people who care deeply about what they do.
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
I love to bake and cook, something I learned from my mother. A few years ago, I started a tradition of baking cakes for my direct reports, mostly unit leaders and staff, on their birthdays—whatever their favorite cake happens to be.
It’s become something people look forward to, and I’ve expanded it to other celebrations as well. Most of the baking happens early in the morning so everything is fresh. It’s a small way to show appreciation and bring people together.
What are three things on your bucket list?
Becoming a grandmother someday (though that’s not exactly in my control), continuing to travel to new countries and rafting the Grand Canyon. In fact, I’ll be heading out this summer right after graduation for a 16-day rafting trip (my first). We were lucky enough to win a lottery spot, so it’s a non-commercial trip with family and friends—which makes it even more special.
Jill Kimball | NAU Communications
(928) 523-2282 | jill.kimball@nau.edu