AAEA: On a Role!

Learn more about AAEA Staff and the roles they serve!

Melanie Thrasher, Business Analyst

Melanie Thrasher started at AAEA during June of 2021. She contributes to the AAEA team through projects like the Beginning Administrator Induction Program and AAEA Corporate Sponsorship, as well as sending out upcoming grant opportunities, helping organize conferences, and various other duties.

Before her time at AAEA, Melanie worked as the office administrator for the North Arkansas District Church of the Nazarene. She graduated with a degree in Business Analytics from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the spring of 2022.

Melanie says her favorite thing about working at AAEA are the opportunities to serve school administrators across our state. “It feels encouraging to be able to support the work and lives of administrators that greatly impact the education outcomes across the state,” she says. “I really enjoy the opportunities available through AAEA to participate in conferences and classes that trailblaze hot topics and technology in education. As a product of Arkansas public education, I find encouragement in being a small portion of the effort to advance the education and opportunities of Arkansas students.”

In her time off, Melanie enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, Hunter, and their dog, Winston. She also enjoys serving her church and community, baking delicious desserts, and crocheting.