Joshua A. Melton, Ph.D.
“Doc”

Educator. Coach. Leader. Innovator.

Doc is a lifelong educator and coach. For him, coaching and teaching have always gone hand-in-hand. While in college, Doc began as a volunteer youth baseball coach. His love of teaching the game led him to pursue a career in education after graduating.

For 15 years, Doc was a high school teacher in math, science, music history, and design thinking. He has taught all levels of the curriculum from introductory math to college-level Chemistry. Doc was also a principal and AVID Coordinator. For 10 years, Doc was an alumni interviewer for Vanderbilt University. He has worked with thousands of students, most of whom he can name and tell you a bit about.

Doc was inspired to teach by his high school teachers who cared for and motivated him including Madame Moulin, Dr. Hellmuth, Mr. Akouri, and Ms. Lasceski. He was also fortunate to have been mentored and supported by Dr. Bowman and Dr. Overholser at Vanderbilt. For Doc, relationships matter and his career in education reflects that value.

For over 20 years, Doc has also been a leader of young people on the ballfield. He has coached youth baseball from tee ball all the way through varsity high school baseball. Doc has always taken pride in the number of his players that have continued playing baseball after his coaching. Doc wants players to have fun and love the game, while maximizing their ability in it. His travel team, the Lane County Barnstormers, showed that high-level, competitive baseball can be played with equal playing time and a positive, supportive culture. Doc’s local 10U All Star team finished in 3rd Place at the Cal Ripken World Series, but more importantly, they won a team sportsmanship award in that tournament – a banner that hangs in his garage! Like teaching, Doc can name most of his players over the year and tell you stories about him…even specific plays from years ago!

Doc earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Vanderbilt University. He has a Master’s in Sports Management from the United States Sports Academy. He became “Doc” after earning his doctorate in Education Leadership from the University of Oregon in 2016. Doc met his amazing life partner, Meghan, at Vanderbilt with whom he raises his three children Reese, Graham, and Conn.