Dr. Melissa Will

Associate Professor

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Biography

Melissa Will is an Associate Professor of Practice and Clinical Associate Professor at Purdue University's College of Liberal Arts, where she serves as the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Political Science. Her research focuses on the evolution of the U.S. intelligence community and its role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. With a decade of experience as an analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency, she has developed expertise in areas such as failed states, civil conflict, governance, and elections, spending significant time in Afghanistan. Melissa is dedicated to educating students about national security and teaches courses related to intelligence, foreign policy, terrorism, and international relations. Her commitment to student success is evidenced by her role as faculty advisor for Purdue's award-winning Delta Omega chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society. Her teaching excellence has been recognized through multiple awards, including the Kenneth T. Kofmehl Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award and the College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher Award.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor Practice

— Present

Purdue University • West Lafayette, IN

Teaching courses in political science and serving as Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Analyst

— Present

Central Intelligence Agency •

Worked for 10 years as an analyst, focusing on intelligence processes and data collection.

Awards

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Kenneth T. Kofmehl Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award

#

Teaching for Fellowship Award

#

Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher Award

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Professor of the Year Award

Requirements for Purdue University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:135
Overall
Required:135
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in CS or related field Foundational concepts of computer science Data structures Computer architecture Operating systems Mathematics through differential equations Linear and matrix algebra
Application Checklist
  • Official Transcripts
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Resume
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • CS Supplementary Form
Specialization Notes

GRE is not required.