PfS Academy Staff Biographies

Melissa Ross, Psy.D.
Director, Partnerships for Success Academy

Melissa Ross is the Director of the Partnerships for Success Academy at The Ohio State University's Center for Learning Excellence.  As the PfS Academy Director, she is responsible for directing the provision of technical assistance and training to Ohio counties currently using the PfS Model to plan, implement and evaluate strategies designed to have a significant and lasting positive impact on children and youth. Dr. Ross received her Doctorate of Psychology [Psy.D.] degree from Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology in 1996. In 1996 she accepted a position at the Department of Youth Services [DYS] working with adjudicated juvenile sexual offenders as a psychology assistant. In 1997 she was promoted to the Coordinator of Clinical and Sexual Offender Services position at DYS’ central office. In that position, Dr. Ross was responsible for the administrative oversight of all sexual offender programming in DYS institutions and parole offices as well as the regional psychological services. In 1999 she began work as the Deputy Superintendent of Programs at DYS’ sexual offender institutions and supervised all aspects of programming for the up to 240 youth housed in the facilities. Dr. Ross held that position for approximately 3 years prior to accepting position of PfS Academy Director at OSU's Center for Learning Excellence.

Mindy Hutcherson
Training Coordinator, Partnerships for Success Academy

Mindy Hutcherson received her B.A. in Criminology from The Ohio State University in 1993.  She began her career in working with at-risk youth and families at a residential treatment facility and a community mental health agency.  In 1994, Mindy was hired as an Intensive Probation Officer at the Delaware County Juvenile Court where she worked with felony level offenders.  In 1997 she was hired to oversee the then Attorney General Betty D. Montgomery’s Alternative Education Program, Project O.A.S.I.S.  Mindy held that position for approximately five years before accepting the position of Training Coordinator at the Partnerships for Success Academy at the Center for Learning Excellence.

Erin Galloway
Program Specialist, Partnerships for Success Academy

Erin Galloway received her M.S. in Human Development and Family Science from The Ohio State University in 2003. She began her work in community development as the coordinator of a Communities That Care initiative in Pennsylvania. This position provided her with practical experience in community mobilization, prevention planning, and outcome-based evaluation.