Melinda Stephens ‘93, PhD, has spent over two and half decades serving and developing the Geneva College community as a professor of chemistry and in her successive roles as dean of academic programs, dean of undergraduate programs, vice president of academic affairs, and chief academic officer and provost. 

Her leadership extends beyond Geneva College as well, in her charitable and educational work with the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP), the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh (SSP), and the Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy (Pittcon). In each of her roles, Stephens’ dedication to faithful academic work and creative problem-solving shines. 

In early March, Stephens attended Pittcon 2025 in Boston, an international conference and exposition on laboratory science in its 76th year. As a member of the organizing committee since 2001, she has served in a variety of roles from president (2024) to exposition treasurer (2019) to publicity chair (2011). This year, Stephens served as co-chair of communications technology, assisting with the conference’s audio-visual components, as well as helping to run the planetarium on the exposition floor.  

The work of Pittcon and its two organizing societies align with Stephens’ dedication to personally and professionally developing others. Through funds raised by Pittcon, the SSP and SACP donate approximately one million dollars every year toward science outreach activities like scholarships, internships, educational programming, achievement awards, and research and equipment grants. 

In some ways, Stephens’ behind-the-scenes role in helping to facilitate a smooth and meaningful conference experience for approximately 7,000 Pittcon attendees and organizers mirrors her daily work as provost of Geneva College. Overseeing the College’s academic area — which principally excludes Student Development and Athletics — Stephens is ultimately responsible for a large range of activities, from faculty hiring to ensuring curricular integrity to dealing with academic grievances. 

Stephens points out the need for creative problem-solving in this role as one of the most meaningful elements of her work. Shortly before Geneva officially launched its nursing program in partnership with CCBC, a biology student who needed to transfer to another college to finish her degree in nursing came to Stephens. This student asked if, even though Geneva’s nursing program would not be officially launching for another year, she could complete the new program because she loved Geneva and wanted to stay to finish her degree. 

“It was a little tricky,” says Stephens, “but we made it work and she was our very first nursing graduate. Being able to make that a reality for her, that she could stay and graduate at Geneva in a nursing program — those are the things that make me happy.” 

Though she did not anticipate it earlier in life, Stephens recognizes that her background in analytical chemistry helped prepare her for the problem-solving role she now fills. Stephens graduated from Geneva College in 1993 with a bachelor's in chemistry degree, and as class valedictorian and recipient of the Paul H. Gilmore Humanities Award for outstanding work in humanities. Just after completing her doctorate in analytical chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, during which time Stephens was the recipient of a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, she joined the faculty of Geneva College as a professor of chemistry. 

Stephens had been searching for a position at a small, teaching-based institution and, having loved her time at Geneva, wanted to return. She remarked on the providential nature of a rare opening just when she was finishing her dissertation, and on that same pattern having continued throughout her career progression at Geneva. 

“I had no interest in being an administrator when I started as a faculty member here. At the time, I had three young kids, and I wanted some flexibility in being able to spend more time with them. But looking back, I can see that God provided opportunities that were helpful for our family at just the right times. We don’t always understand in the moment because it’s really hard, but in the end, it’s His plan. There were some difficult moments in Geneva’s history that led to me being here, but I’m very thankful for it.” 

Now, Stephens reflects on the joy of being able to watch her sons attend and graduate from Geneva — and on one of her particular responsibilities as provost. 

“There is nothing more exciting than being able to hand [my sons] their diploma — or at least a diploma cover,” she laughs. “I’ve been able to do it once, and I’m hoping to do it a couple more times.” 

Alongside her work at Geneva College and in the chemistry community at large, Stephens anticipates the publication of the first edited volume in a series connected with the International Alliance for Christian Education. She has contributed a chapter on service to the book entitled Faithful Faculty: Hearing and Obeying a Calling to Christian Education. Doubtless, a topic she is well equipped to share because of her experience in faithfully following the call of God on her life and in serving others both personally and professionally. 

By Reagan Shields ‘26