Melissa Clodfelter named Elon University’s Chief Human Resources Officer

Melissa Clodfelter, assistant vice president of faculty and staff experience, has accepted the position of Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Office at Elon University. She will join Elon at the end of February. 

Clodfelter has served the campus community in a variety of essential and strategic ways during her more than 20 years of service to Wake Forest. In her most recent role, Clodfelter has provided strategic oversight and program development across four human resources functions, including learning and development, campus engagement, recruiting and employment solutions. She has also served as a coach and strategist with University leadership around issues of organizational change, organizational structure and employee relations. 

“Melissa’s positive impact on our team and the University as a whole has been and will continue to be deeply felt,” said Mary Lucal, vice president and chief human resources officer. “We are incredibly grateful for her dedication, her insightful guidance, and her unwavering commitment to making Wake Forest a positive and supportive environment for all.” 

Clodfelter also co-chaired the Student Information Systems Steering Committee and helped develop the Office of Institutional Equity, where she served as interim executive director. She was instrumental in pushing forward the Human Resource team’s R.I.D.E. goal of transparency, development, and inclusion and co-chaired a working group established to create the University’s policy and procedures on discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Additionally, she initiated and implemented a pilot program with the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity and the Office of the Provost to support faculty in research discipline and endeavors. 

“Wake Forest has offered me the privilege of building lasting friendships with incredible colleagues, and together, we’ve achieved remarkable things,” said Clodfelter. “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given to contribute to this vibrant community and look forward to offering the same dedication to Elon University in this new adventure.”