Melody York Zuniga

  • Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
  • Clinical Professor

Education

Ed.D., Abilene Christian University
MSW, Baylor University
BA, Baylor University

Research Interests

  • Child Abuse
  • Child Witnesses
  • Sexual Assault
  • Process of Children Disclosing Abuse
  • Organizational Crisis
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Higher Education Leadership
  • Professional Bilingual Service Provision
  • Social Work with the Spanish-speaking Community

Background

Melody York Zuniga joined the faculty full time in June 2009 and is a Clinical Professor and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Prior to serving as Associate Dean, she was the Director of Field Education and served as an adjunct faculty member since January of 2007. Before joining the School of Social Work full time, she worked for the Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children in Waco. She served in the roles of Victim Services Specialist and Counselor for the Advocacy Center's rural offices, serving the children, youth, adults, and families that worked or were working through experiences of sexual assault and other forms of violence. Her experience at the Advocacy Center led to training as a Forensic Interviewer, a role she held for years conducting developmentally appropriate and forensically sound interviews of children to gather details surrounding their alleged witness to or experience of abuse and other crimes. She also worked closely with a multi-disciplinary team that included Child Protective Services, law enforcement agencies, and the District Attorney's Office to help ensure coordinated efforts in child abuse investigations. Her administrative experience at the Garland School sparked her passion for research related to organizational leadership. 

She is married to Jose Zuniga, and they have a daughter and two sons.

melody york zuniga
Contact Information
Melody_Zuniga@baylor.edu
Melody York 's Curriculum Vitae
Curriculum Vitae