Name: Melanie Fessinger
Job Title: Graduate Research Assistant
Where do you hail from:
Santa Clarita, California
What is it they say you do:
Here at CCFL, I design and conduct evaluations with Kate Hazen for NRPVYC. Some on our team say that we spend all day talking about and looking at data. Outside of CCFL, I am also a first-year graduate student in the psychology and law program. I work on research looking at juror decision making and children’s involvement in the legal system.
What has been your greatest source of career satisfaction/ proudest achievement:
I love seeing my work have a real-world impact, which is why I love the work we do here at CCFL.
What has been an unexpected detour/ greatest frustration/disappointment:
If you told me a few years ago that I would be living in Nebraska right now, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. I spent all of my life living in Southern California which is quite a different place than Lincoln. The transition to Midwestern-life has been a bit of a culture shock, but I think I’m adjusting well. I have officially survived my first winter here and am ready for the snow to be done!
What is your passion/what you are drawn to/what motivates you/where do you hope to be in five years:
My passion is in psychology and law research, which was sparked by an internship helping survivors of domestic violence navigate the court process. I saw through their experiences that the legal system could be intimidating to such a degree that they were unwilling to ask the court for help. After this experience, I was motivated to gain and produce knowledge of the legal system so that I could identify necessary improvements that could result in a more productive process and more just outcomes. In five years, I will hopefully be finishing up my degree here and heading off somewhere (preferably more coastal) to continue the work I’ve started!
Family life/hobbies /community involvement:
My parents, brother, and two adorable dogs are back in California along with much of my extended family. My great-grandma lives in Southern Minnesota and she’s turning 105 this May. I’ve been able to visit her a few times since I have moved here and hopefully will get to celebrate her birthday with her as well.