Melanie joined the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) in March 2020 and in May 2022 became the director of FSA’s office of Policy Implementation and Oversight (PIO). PIO advises FSA on higher education policy to ensure that operations are considered in policy development and, once enacted, that policy is implemented to meet intended goals. Melanie is currently leading FSA’s policy implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act and FUTURE Act. Prior to joining FSA, Melanie led a wide range of policy-focused activities related to higher education and student financial aid at the College Board. She also served as the director of national initiatives at the American Council on Education (ACE), which is the national organization that represents college and university presidents and chancellors. In that role, she provided strategic research and analytical support to ACE’s government relations leadership team and served as the primary staff liaison for several blue-ribbon commissions.