Melissa Hoon

Background

About Melissa Hoon

I'm a collaborator and leader who has worked in the higher education sector for more than 10 years. My notable accomplishments include spearheading the development and launch of the UC San Diego School of Biological Sciences Corporate Affiliates Program (BioCAP) and Co-Op Program, a one-year paid internship program that offers mentorship and professional development training to undergraduates of all majors, and the School of Biological Sciences career and professional development curriculum that consists of eight courses that I facilitate and co-facilitate with School of Biological Sciences faculty. A former first-generation student, I'm passionate about collaborating with industry partners to bring job opportunities and hands-on training to diverse and underrepresented student populations. Well-connected in the life sciences and biotech community where I've worked the last five years, I specialize in identifying gaps and assessing need, and draw on my eight years of experience in development and fundraising to engage companies in corporate sponsorship to support diverse talent pipeline development. I began my career as a journalist, then a counselor, and I draw on my communications and education background to develop and facilitate innovative career and professional development programming and courses. I'm solution-oriented and enjoy working with teammates and external partners to develop sustainable resources to make career training programs possible for students. BioCAP and the Co-Op Program are prime examples of this. I find this part of my job the most fulfilling, as well as watching students and alumni grow into leaders in the life sciences industry and progress through careers that they find meaningful while making significant impact. Outside of the professional world, I try to balance my love of triathlon, yoga, cooking, journaling, reading, gardening, concerts, and travel by doing a little of it all.