Director, Jones Center for Career Preparation
Beacon College
Leesburg, Florida, United States
Melissa Bradley begins her 31st year dedicated to education and career planning for all learners. She serves Beacon College as the Director of the Juan and Lisa Jones Center for Career Preparation where she identifies and develops experiential learning programs and innovative resources specifically intended to develop a neurodiverse early talent pipeline capable of impacting industries everywhere. Melissa oversees a team of Career Advisors and Coordinators who specialize in intentional, high touch career advising and on-campus student employment services designed to impact Beacon’s neurodistinct student population. She works strategically with national, regional and local employers eager to develop a 21st century neurodiverse workforce through internships and early career recruitment programs.
Melissa began her career as a classroom teacher in Palm Beach County, Florida specializing in inclusive Language Arts education for middle school students where she became a National Board Certified Teaching Professional. She developed school and districtwide professional development programs for educators and parents designed to impact learning outcomes for students across all content areas and pioneered college and career readiness programming for 8th graders.
She was invited to join the Florida Department of Education, where she led the statewide education + career planning initiative that impacted all public 7-12 graders across 74 Florida school districts. Through this work, she served the Florida Board of Governors and the state’s public postsecondary institutions as Director of Training and Outreach of FACTS.org, Florida’s statewide student advising system designed to influence K-20 postsecondary planning through innovative career exploration.
Melissa is an experienced grant writer who has secured over $34 million dollars through Title I Federal Programs and community and private foundations. Prior to joining Beacon College, she served as the Vice President of Education for a nonprofit organization dedicated to education and career development of K-12 students across Central Florida school districts..
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Beyond Binary: Embracing Intersectional Identities in the Workplace
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM EDT