Melanie Ewing has been appointed director of grants and sponsored programs at Arkansas Tech University.
According to its web page, the ATU Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs is “committed to providing knowledgeable and efficient support to faculty and university constituents by facilitating healthy relationships with external funding agencies and industry partners.”
The office operates within the ATU Graduate College.
“I am confident that the ATU Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs is in excellent hands,” said Dr. Michael Bradley, dean of the ATU Graduate College. “I look forward to the leadership Mrs. Ewing will bring to the office and to the work she and her team will accomplish in supporting faculty research, expanding external funding opportunities and strengthening Arkansas Tech’s research enterprise in the years ahead.”
Ewing holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and hospitality administration from Arkansas Tech. Her prior experience in management has spanned the health care, non-profit and customer service industries. She joined the ATU Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs as a grants coordinator in April 2025 and was promoted to interim director of the office in October 2025.
“Mrs. Ewing brings extensive experience working with federally-funded programs and community-based initiatives, along with a strong background in organizational leadership and program administration,” said Bradley. “Her experience managing complex projects, building partnerships and overseeing program operations will be valuable as Arkansas Tech continues to expand its research activity and external funding opportunities.”
Ewing is a third-generation graduate of Arkansas Tech. She described the appointment as “both professionally and personally meaningful.”
“I bring more than 15 years of leadership experience as a small business owner, combined with extensive work managing federally funded grant programs and serving diverse communities,” said Ewing. “Throughout my career, I have demonstrated strengths in strategic planning, fiscal oversight, problem solving and community engagement. My background in program administration and grant management positions me well to support research development and sponsored initiatives across the university. I look forward to collaborating with faculty, staff and university partners to support innovative research initiatives, strengthen external funding opportunities, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and tackle new challenges that strengthen the university’s mission. I am excited to contribute to new opportunities that enhance the university’s impact and continued growth.”
Bradley expressed appreciation to the position search committee, which consisted of Dr. John Jackson, Dr. Kyler Hecke, Dr. Patrick Hagge, Evalisbeth Garcia Diazbarriga and Matt Fraser, as well as ATU faculty and staff members who attended open forums related to the search and provided feedback.
Learn more about the ATU Office of Grants and Sponsored Programs at www.atu.edu/orgs/orsp/index.php.
