Recent doctoral graduate eyeing great things after overcoming obstacles

Melanie Lockett’s path to and through Auburn University was anything but simple.

The COVID-19 pandemic and loss of her father immensely impacted, but did not derail, Lockett’s educational journey, and now she is ready to continue to fly. The determined student has defended her dissertation, graduated from Auburn and moved to Puerto Rico.

Lockett, a Macon, Georgia, native, has been working for the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) as an Instructional Systems Specialist since December. Lockett is excited about the work that she is beginning as she supports educators who teach military-connected students in Puerto Rico.

Lockett — who also has worked as an assistant principal, an English language arts coordinator and a school leadership coach — is leveraging all of her experiences in her new position. Lockett originally declined an opportunity to join the DoDEA years ago, but reapplied after reassessing her career goals following the death of her father, Larry, in the summer of 2023.

Even though she lived in Georgia, Lockett’s participation in the Auburn doctoral program helped keep her focused on her overarching career goals.

“Despite everything else that was happening in my life, Auburn was the thing that was stable,” Lockett said. “When everything else was changing, I had Auburn. I had my professors at Auburn who were very supportive and flexible, and I had my cohort members who were amazing to help keep me motivated and keep me on track.

“Just knowing that I had to finish this dissertation kept me motivated to say, ‘Although life is happening, you can't allow this to stop you from getting what you really want, which is that degree, that opportunity and the doors that are going to open because of it.’”

Despite a non-traditional student experience, Lockett will forever feel a part of the Auburn Family.

“We were all virtual [students], so my cohort members and I started to meet up just to hang out sometimes, and it was great being able to connect with them and feel like I was a part of Auburn and part of something outside of just my group,” she said. “It's been a great experience. I wouldn't change it.”

Almost two months after graduation, Lockett continues to reflect on her Auburn journey. She remembers visiting the College of Education and being struck by a quote on the wall that reads, “When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.” Years later, Lockett is grateful for those deep Auburn roots, which now ground her through every new challenge.