Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Achievements And Recognitions
Community Based Partnerships
Other Professional Experience
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Melissa Elliott

Mayor
Henderson,NC
Melissa Elliott

Summary

Social Services professional with over 15 years of experience in program development, management, training, outreach, counseling, and community-based organizations. Areas of expertise include at-risk youth, gang violence prevention/intervention, promoting higher education, substance abuse, sexual health education, mental health treatment, homeless families, and domestic violence victims.

Methodical director with several years of comprehensive experience overseeing daily operations of company or organization. Hardworking and versatile professional well-versed in executing business strategies, preparing and implementing business plans and overseeing financial performance. Thorough knowledge of market changes and trends paired with strong grasp of corporate finance and performance measures.

Overview

26
years of professional experience

Work History

North Carolina Central University BBRI
Durham

Director of Rural
04.2025 - Current

Job overview

  • Led research initiatives to advance biomedical developments in underserved communities.
  • Collaborated with faculty to enhance grant applications and secure funding opportunities.
  • Directed strategic planning for research projects aligning with university goals.
  • Organized seminars and workshops to disseminate research findings and foster collaboration.
  • Established collaborations with health departments, hospitals, and community organizations to provide preventative health services, focusing on mental health and screenings for rural populations.
  • Partnered with community-based organizations and public schools to organize health screenings for conditions such as high blood pressure, prostate cancer, and diabetes.

Duke University Community Health
Durham

Community Health Worker
07.2024 - Current

Job overview

  • Educated community members about health resources and available services.
  • Assisted individuals in navigating healthcare systems and accessing necessary care.
  • Collaborated with healthcare providers to address community health needs effectively.
  • Guided seniors through the process of enrolling in SNAP, Medicaid, and financial assistance programs.
  • Supported seniors in understanding and managing complex health systems and applications, funded by a grant from the National Council on Aging.
  • Participated in outreach activities such as health fairs or community events.
  • Assisted with patient referrals to appropriate community resources.
  • Provided health education to clients about nutrition, physical activity and disease prevention.
  • Provided assistance with completing forms related to public benefits programs.
  • Conducted home visits to assess the health needs of patients and their families.
  • Provided case management services including crisis intervention, advocacy, and support for individuals experiencing homelessness or poverty.

Vance Granville Community College
Henderson

Instructor Community Health Workers SCCT
01.2024 - Current

Job overview

  • Developed engaging lesson plans for diverse student groups.
  • Delivered instruction using various teaching methods and technologies.
  • Assessed student performance through exams and assignments.
  • Mentored students in academic and career goals throughout their programs.
  • Conducted lectures, demonstrations and group activities in order to enhance learning experience.
  • Encouraged students' critical thinking skills by facilitating classroom discussions.
  • Delivered Community Health Workers Standardized Core Curriculum Training and guided participants through state certification requirements via the NC Community Health Workers Association.

City of Henderson
Henderson

Mayor
01.2024 - Current

Job overview

  • Facilitated public meetings to gather input on community development initiatives.
  • Coordinated with various departments to align resources for city projects.
  • Managed crisis response strategies during emergencies affecting the community.
  • Collaborated with city council members to set goals for the municipality.
  • Participated in public forums to discuss current issues affecting the community.
  • Executed contracts, orders and new ordinances with official signatures.
  • Presided over City Council meetings when necessary.
  • Established relationships with local businesses, organizations, and other government entities.
  • Advocated for increased funding from state and federal sources.
  • Partnered with state universities to develop health and wellness programs, improving access to healthcare and tackling social determinants of health within the community.
  • Addressed inquiries from media outlets regarding city affairs.
  • Maintained a strong presence at community events such as parades and festivals, to foster goodwill among residents.
  • Reviewed concerns of constituents to determine required governmental action.
  • Organized special events to promote civic engagement among constituents.
  • Encouraged citizen participation through outreach activities such as town hall meetings or surveys.
  • Upheld strong constituent relations with public meetings, community events, and robust feedback system through office staff.

North Carolina Community Health Center Association
Newton

Community Health Worker Ambassador
10.2022 - Current

Job overview

  • Educated community members about health services and available resources.
  • Assisted individuals in navigating healthcare systems and programs.
  • Conducted outreach activities to promote health initiatives and services.
  • Collaborated with community-based organizations to train Community Health Workers in standardized core competencies.

Gang Free Inc
Henderson

Executive Director
01.2008 - Current

Job overview

  • Created statistical data to show the problematic issue of gang culture.
  • Performed research on gang culture and trends.
  • Created a human trafficking prevention model to address community challenges.
  • Facilitated a shelter for women, children, and families to aid in domestic violence prevention, substance abuse, and mental health barriers.
  • Conducted organizational leadership, development, and sustainability of 501c3.
  • Managed grants focused on COVID-19, vaccinations, community health workers, human trafficking, food insecurities, and community education.
  • Oversaw over 80 COVID-19 vaccination clinics, vaccinating and educating over 40,000 people.

Vance County Schools
Vance County

Social Emotional Learning Coordinator
01.2018 - 06.2024

Job overview

  • Engage students, families, and school officials in social and emotional learning activities that promote wellness and overall health.
  • Create lesson plans and implement socially empowering activities.
  • Teach and promote ways to create and maintain safe environments for youth and community members.
  • Conducted meditation exercises to enhance students' focus and emotional stability.
  • Collaborated with teachers to enhance curriculum implementation processes.
  • Developed instructional materials to support diverse learning needs.

Vance County Schools
Vance County

Community Engagement Coordinator
01.2012 - 01.2018

Job overview

  • Creating opportunities for students to engage in community activities through service
  • Creating partnerships with businesses, community based organizations
  • Facilitating college tours for students to enhance career readiness

  • Facilitated community outreach programs to engage families and promote educational initiatives.
  • Facilitated workshops on topics related to community building, civic engagement, and social justice.

Vance County Sheriff’s Office
Vance County

Gang Resource Officer
01.2013 - 01.2015

Job overview

  • Created programs to deter gang involvement.
  • Developed tools to identify and validate gang members.
  • Counseled gang members to safely exit the gang culture.
  • Created training tools to educate the community on gang involvement and prevention.
  • Assisted deputies and detectives in gang-related crimes, including homicide.

Department of Corrections

Correctional Case Manager/Gang Intel Team Member
01.2006 - 01.2011

Job overview

  • Counseled felony inmates.
  • Assessed inmates for substance abuse and past criminal history.
  • Analyzed and evaluated various documents such as custody reviews and classifications.
  • Conducted orientation of arriving inmates.
  • Provided structure and guidance per department guidelines to inmates.

District 9 (NC) Guardian Ad Litem

Volunteer
01.2008 - 01.2010

Job overview

Alexandria VA Police Department
Alexandria

Emergency Dispatcher
01.2005 - 01.2006

Job overview

Amtrak Police

Terrorist Watch Agent
01.2000 - 01.2005

Job overview

Education

North Central University

Post Master’s Certificate from Criminal Justice
01.2017

University Overview

Strayer University

Master’s from Public Administration
06.2015

University Overview

Saint Augustine’s University

Bachelor of Science from Criminal Justice
05.2011

University Overview

Skills

  • Teamwork
  • Clerical
  • Organizational
  • Project Management
  • Administrative
  • Community Driven
  • Public Health Advocacy
  • Grant Writing and Management
  • Crisis Intervention and Counseling
  • Strategic planning
  • Grant writing
  • Community outreach
  • Public health initiatives
  • Program development
  • Health education
  • Project management
  • Crisis management
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Networking skills
  • Collaboration skills
  • Public speaking
  • Government relations
  • Charismatic leader
  • Decision-making

Achievements And Recognitions

Achievements And Recognitions
  • Oversaw over 80 COVID-19 vaccination clinics, vaccinating and educating over 40,000 people.
  • Opened the pilot project RCRC (Rural Community Resilience Center) to promote awareness and resources for Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) in Kigali, Rwanda.
  • YMCA Board Membership
  • VGCC Foundation Board Membership
  • NC STOP Human Trafficking Board Membership
  • Dr. Andrea Harris Foundation Board Membership
  • Vance County Facilitator for NCCU for public health on contract
  • Region 4 County Ambassador for Community Health Workers
  • Authored book on Human Trafficking
  • Participated in Human Trafficking documentary
  • City of Henderson City Council Appointment, 2015 - Present
  • Peer Review COPS grants for the anti-gang initiative for the Department of Justice
  • Outstanding Community Service Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., 2010
  • Public Service Award for outstanding community service, Crime Stoppers, 2017
  • Featured on the Steve Harvey Show as a 'Game Changing Woman'
  • Honored by Coastal Federal Credit Union as a 'Hometown Hero', 2018
  • Awarded the Great Pantry Makeover by Food Lion, 2017
  • Demonstrated facilitation skills with young and adult learners
  • Successful crisis intervention and counseling with juvenile males
  • Proven skills in preparing families for reunification with children
  • Piloted a teaching curriculum for all male sex offenders in the Department of Corrections
  • Taught adult learners at Hidden Manna Bible College
  • NCIC and DCI Certified
  • Worked on the work assessment team for Warren County to assess Gang Involvement for the Department of Juvenile Justice
  • Policy & Procedures

Community Based Partnerships

Community Based Partnerships
  • NC Stop Human Trafficking, CHW Ambassador Region 4
  • Human Trafficking Rescue Trainer for Law Enforcement

Other Professional Experience

Other Professional Experience
  • Amtrak Police, Terrorist Watch Agent, 01/01/00, 12/31/05
  • Alexandria VA Police Department, Emergency Dispatcher, 01/01/05, 12/31/06
  • District 9 (NC) Guardian Ad Litem, Volunteer, 01/01/08, 12/31/10
  • Real Talk Group, Founder Coordinator, 01/01/07, Present
  • Vance Granville Community College BLET and Criminal Justice Program, Board Member
  • NAMI (National Alliance Mental Illness), Adult Learning GED program Vance Granville Community College
  • City Councilwoman City of Henderson
  • Community Health Worker Instructor Vance Granville Community College

Timeline

Director of Rural
North Carolina Central University BBRI
04.2025 - Current
Community Health Worker
Duke University Community Health
07.2024 - Current
Instructor Community Health Workers SCCT
Vance Granville Community College
01.2024 - Current
Mayor
City of Henderson
01.2024 - Current
Community Health Worker Ambassador
North Carolina Community Health Center Association
10.2022 - Current
Social Emotional Learning Coordinator
Vance County Schools
01.2018 - 06.2024
Gang Resource Officer
Vance County Sheriff’s Office
01.2013 - 01.2015
Community Engagement Coordinator
Vance County Schools
01.2012 - 01.2018
Executive Director
Gang Free Inc
01.2008 - Current
Volunteer
District 9 (NC) Guardian Ad Litem
01.2008 - 01.2010
Correctional Case Manager/Gang Intel Team Member
Department of Corrections
01.2006 - 01.2011
Emergency Dispatcher
Alexandria VA Police Department
01.2005 - 01.2006
Terrorist Watch Agent
Amtrak Police
01.2000 - 01.2005
North Central University
Post Master’s Certificate from Criminal Justice
Strayer University
Master’s from Public Administration
Saint Augustine’s University
Bachelor of Science from Criminal Justice