Melinda Adams came to JMU in 2004 after receiving her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin Madison with a specialization in African politics. A professor of political science, she teaches courses in African politics, the politics of development, and international affairs. Her research focuses on gender and politics and women’s political representation, particularly in West Africa.

As associate dean, Melinda oversees college initiatives in the areas of research, scholarship, and creative activities, undergraduate and graduate research, and AICs and CAL Labs. She also coordinates JMU's pre-law advising program and Legal Studies minor. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, and cooking.

• Oversee and lead the CAL research, scholarship and creative activities portfolio which includes (but is not limited to): 
  
  • Collection of NSF HERD data 
  • Collaborate with CAL/REDI research development associate to plan and carry out research-focused programming 
  • Serve as liaison to the Division of Research, Entrepreneurship, Development, and Innovation (REDI) 
  • Facilitate the CAL writing group  
  • Coordinate nomination processes for faculty awards  
• Supervise all CAL Chartered AICs and Labs (FFPC, AAAD, ICYJ, Gandhi Center; APRILab, Diplomacy and Defense Lab, Digital Humanities) 
• Supervise the executive administrative assistant for the CAL Dean’s Office 
• Liaise with Donor Relations and the Foundation to ensure that allocations are made each year and that they comply with the donors’ wishes 
• Chair (non-voting), CAL Research, Awards, and Development (RAD) Committee 
• Coordinator/Convener: JMU Undergraduate Research Conference 
• Coordinator, pre-law pre-professional program (currently about 600 students from 43 majors and all colleges) advise students, organize programming for pre-law students, maintain list-serv, and participate in recruiting events (e.g., Choices and Open House) 
• Coordinator and advisor, Legal Studies Minor (working on launching a Legal Studies Advisory Board) 
• College representative/coordinator, JMU Alumni Law Board 
• Scholarship liaison: work with admissions and the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to oversee selection of recipients of the Madison Awards for Academic Excellence, the CAL Opportunity Scholarship, and the Pre-Law Internship Scholarship. 
• CAL liaison, Political Science Alumni Board 
• Member, ADean Working Group (ADWG) and the Academic Institutes and Centers (AIC) subgroup