Melanie (Mel) Prengler (Mel-uh-nee Preen-glur) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
She uses inductive and deductive approaches to study the work experiences of employees at the leading edge of two trends in organizations.
First, she studies how both majority and minority group members engage in efforts to reduce systemic discrimination within and via their organizations (e.g., allyship and anti-racism). In particular, she examines the strategies used by employees who work to reduce discrimination and encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion in organizations and society, and the effect of engaging in such efforts on the employees themselves.
Second, she studies how employees experience the ongoing changes to how work is arranged (e.g., hybrid and remote work). Specifically, she examines how employees create a sense of workplace in nonwork spaces.
Like many of the people she studies, Melanie has a sense of adventure and a passion for discovery. When not pursuing these via her research, she can be found adventuring and discovering in the outdoors with her husband—usually hiking, spending time in local public gardens, or eating a delicious new dish al fresco. She also loves traveling and the unpredictable joys and mishaps therein.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, 2022, Texas A&M University
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2017, Sam Houston State University
B.A in Psychology, 2013, Texas A&M University