Melissa Will
- Clinical Professor of Practice, Undergraduate Director // Political Science
- Assistant Teaching Professor // Cornerstone
Research Focus
International Security
Office and Contact
Career Summary
I am interested in the evolution of the U.S. intelligence community and the role it plays in U.S. foreign policy. I also look at how we educate about national security.
I teach classes on intelligence, US foreign policy, terrorism, and international relations. As Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Political Science, I am dedicated to creating opportunities for our students in the classroom and beyond. I have been the faculty advisor for Purdue’s award-winning Delta Omega chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society, since 2019.
Prior coming to Purdue, I worked for 10-years as an analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). My expertise centered around failed states, civil conflict, governance, and elections. I spent a significant amount of time in Afghanistan. As senior analyst, I was deeply involved in all stages of the intelligence process, from data collection to providing policymakers with finished intelligence.
Teaching Honors and Awards
2022-2023 Kenneth T. Kofmehl Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award
Highest teaching award in the College
2023-2024 Purdue University’s Teaching for Tomorrow Fellowship Award
2021-2022 College of Liberal Arts Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher Award (2021-2022)
Awarded first year of eligibility
2020-2021 Professor of the Year Award from Purdue’s chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha (the National Political Science Honor Society)
2019-2020 Professor of the Year Award from Purdue’s chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society)