Microsoft

Melissa Hortman, EdD is a higher education leader in the areas of research innovation and academic transformation. From growing grant funding opportunities on campuses to attracting and retaining quality faculty, she focuses her efforts on how Microsoft can support the success of the faculty role.

Previous to Microsoft, she spent over 12 years in higher education working in student success and institutional transformation at community colleges, liberal arts, and academic medical centers. Most recently she was an Associate Professor and Director of Instructional Technology at the Medical University of South Carolina. There she taught multiple courses across the Graduate College and Interprofessional school along with leading the discovery, onboarding and sustainability of all instructional technology. She has done over 30 presentations in the past five years at regional, national and international conferences along with being featured as a keynote speaker as well as in various podcasts and blogs.

Dr. Hortman is passionate about empowering faculty innovation and student resilience to make higher education more agile and stronger during disruptions now and in the future. As a “realistic visionary”, she will push the boundaries but make sure there is a practical plan for the future.