About Melissa
Melissa is a Licensed Unity Minister, inspirational speaker and art historian. Currently, she serves as Spiritual Leader and Lead Prayer Chaplain for Unity Spiritual Center of Panama City. Melissa is a lifelong spiritual seeker with an interest in the intersection of spirituality, meditation, mindfulness, and science. She is open to new ways of understanding and expressing love, oneness, and an awareness of our Divine consciousness.
Melissa is an active supporter of both interfaith and New Thought teachings. She believes in the unifying nature of love and compassion on the path of spiritual seeking. Melissa leads both the spiritual and creative direction of her ministry in her role as Spiritual Leader. Previously, she worked as a Creative Director for this ministry. And formerly, she worked as an Adjunct Instructor and Online Course Designer for Chipola Community College.
In 2025, Melissa was accepted to the ministerial program at Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute. In June of 2026, received her ministerial license, and she is scheduled to graduate and be ordained in June of 2027. Melissa is also a licensed and certified Prayer Chaplain Program Trainer through Light and Love Ministries. She currently serves as Lead Prayer Chaplain for her congregation.
In her free time, she enjoys expressing her creativity through painting, photography, and drawing. Melissa’s favorite self-care practices include weekly “reset” days, nature walks, and putting her toes in the warm sand of Florida’s beautiful beaches.
Spiritual Research Interests
Mindfulness
Science of Prayer and Meditation
Intersection of Neuroscience & Spirituality
Educational Research Interests
Neurodiversity in the Classroom
Accessibility and Accommodations in Teaching
Art Historical Research Interests
Pre-Columbian and Native American Art
Southeastern Iconography
Modern and Contemporary Popular Media
American Political Cartoons, Comics, and Sequential Art Gender Studies in Pre-Columbian Art
Buddhist Art
Education
2025 to Current • Ministerial & Religious Studies Program at Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute
2015 • M.A. in the History & Criticism of Art from Florida State University
2012 • B.A. in the History & Criticism of Art with Honors from Florida State University
includes a Minor in Anthropology
2002 • A.A. in Business Administration from Gulf Coast State College
Current Certifications
Licensed Unity Minister, June 2026 – Current
Licensed and Certified Prayer Chaplain Program Trainer, Light and Love Ministries, 2022 – Current
Previous Certifications
Certified APPQMR Online Facilitator, 2020 – 2022
Certified INTRO2QM Online Facilitator, 2020 – 2022
Higher Education Peer Reviewer, 2019 – 2022
QM Instructional Designers Association, 2021 – 2022
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