Melissa Deavers is the Director of Communications & Community Engagement for Portage Township Schools. She has 20 years of experience in education, including 11 years in the classroom and 9 years in school communications. Before moving into her current role, Melissa taught journalism, newspaper, yearbook, broadcasting, and English at Portage High School.
Melissa earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education and journalism from Ball State University and a master's degree in educational administration from Purdue University. She was named the 2015 Indiana High School Press Association Adviser of the Year in 2015 and was inducted into the Ball State University Department of Journalism's Secondary Education Services Hall of Fame in 2017.
Melissa is active in her community and serves on several local and state boards. She is a current board member and past president of the Indiana School Public Relations Association and the Portage Township YMCA. She also serves as president of the Portage Dollars for Scholars chapter and as a board member of the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Northwest Indiana. She is also a board member of the Portage Exchange Club.
Melissa brings experience in education, community engagement, and communications to the United Way of Northwest Indiana Board of Directors. She is proud to serve United Way because of its commitment to supporting families and strengthening communities. She believes that when students have strong support at home and in their communities, they are better able to succeed in school and build bright futures.