Melissa Cavaliere

Background

About Melissa Cavaliere

The first time I realized I loved history was when I was about 4 years old. I was walking around the United States Military Academy with my father and awestruck by the statues, views, and stories that seemed to permeate every inch of the campus. After a beautiful, fall stroll around the campus, we visited the USMA Museum (and of course the gift shop)! That day marked the beginning of many aspects of my life. It began the neverending wardrobe that displayed "Go Army, Beat Navy", my interest in their college football team (which 31 years later is still my favorite), and it jumpstarted an inquisitive mind that would eventually influence me to become a history major. I wanted to know the story behind everything. People, events, items, cultures, creeds. all of it! I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to visit many places throughout my life so far, given the opportunities to pursue multiple degrees in higher education, and I am working toward the terminal degree in history which has been a goal of mine since I began writing in script.(I always wrote my name with a Ph.D. at the end when I practiced!) My passion for history is enhanced by my superior research skills, organization, and love for public speaking and teaching an engaged room. My husband often jokes that I could "talk to a wall" and I truly believe that one of my gifts is reading a room well, feeding off people's personalities, making them feel comfortable, respected, and welcomed, and enhancing their experience when I am teaching, mediating, or presenting. I am looking forward to what the future brings and my dream is to never stop learning, influence others to enjoy and respect the past as much as I do, and immerse myself in a career that surrounds me with my passion every day.