Dr. Melanie Escue is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP). A mixed-methods scholar, Melanie’s current research interests include immigration, health, and rural studies. Her work has been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals including American Behavioral Scientist, Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, Latino Studies, and Journal of Cultural Geography. 

Over the past few years, she has worked on nationally funded grant projects that have explored the (1) emotional well-being and incorporation experiences of undocumented young adults and (2) the lived-experiences and well-being of Puerto Rican post-disaster migrants. Currently, her work centers on the health and well-being of immigrant young adults protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Additionally, she is co-PI on a grant, funded by the North Carolina Collaboratory, that takes an interdisciplinary approach (partnership with the UNCP Department of Mathematics and Computer Science) to examining the role of race/ethnicity and place in shaping the health and well-being of residents living in rural and urban North Carolina.

Melanie is fiercely passionate about utilizing her professional expertise to serve the university and invest in community well-being. She is the faculty advisor for the Latin Student Union, African Students Organization, and the Sociology Club. She is the faculty fellow for the Lee Barnes campus debate program at UNCP and is on the board of directors for the NC Farmworkers Organization. Melanie also finds great joy in volunteering at local community events, frequently joined by her supportive husband and their two children.