Faculty Directory

Biography

Melanie Brandt is the director of the McBride Honors Program in Public Affairs and an associate teaching professor in the University Honors and Scholars Programs Department (UHSP). She began teaching at Mines in 2011 and brought with her an interdisciplinary educational background and a pedagogical quest to make the classroom an engaging, joyful, and dynamic space for learning.

Her contributions to the university include the development of signature classes and experiences for students that promote active learning, interdisciplinary explorations, and high impact practices. While Melanie has previously taught in the EDNS and HASS departments, her home is in UHSP. She can often be heard telling her students that “the narrative of my life, both inside and outside of the classroom, seems to have been written for my for current position” directing the McBride Honors Progam, teaching honors classes, and mentoring students.

Melanie Brandt received her MA in Humanities from CU Denver. For her thesis, she investigated the power of humor in forming identities and effecting political and social change. Her work necessitated multidisciplinary research and study thereby creating a platform for understanding the fundamental elements of learning and communication that can be applied to many academic disciplines. Melanie earned her bachelor’s degree in Literature and graduated summa cum laude. She is interested in combining the humanities and STEM fields of study in innovative ways that bolster both.

Melanie has taught a variety of writing, film, and literature classes. Furthermore, she has taught in Mines’ Design EPICS program since 2011. This spring she will be teaching one section of NHV and oral communications, along with one section of EPICS.