Dr. Melanie Howard is Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at Simpson University. She previously served as Chair of the Biblical and Religious Studies Division at Fresno Pacific University. Prior to that, she taught at Valparaiso University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Messiah College. Dr. Howard has a PhD in New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary, a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) degree from the University of Notre Dame, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a major in Bible and minor in peace and conflict studies from Messiah College. Dr. Howard has taught several courses including Jesus and the Christian Community, Women and the Bible, Introduction to the New Testament, the Gospel of Mark, 1-2 Corinthians, the General Epistles, Sermon on the Mount, Koine Greek, Biblical Theology, Biblical Interpretation, and Non-Traditional Hermeneutics. Her research interests include the Synoptic Gospels, literary approaches to biblical interpretation, and non-traditional biblical hermeneutics (including feminist and disability approaches to biblical interpretation).Dr. Howard is the author of the forthcoming book "Twelve Biblical Characters: Trials and Triumphs" (Paulist Press, 2025) as well as several articles including a review of feminist approaches to the New Testament (Currents in Biblical Research), an article on reading the Sermon on the Mount from an immigrant perspective (Soundings), a series of articles on pedagogical strategies and the book of Acts (Didaktikos), an article on interpreting Jesus's healing miracles through a cultural model of disability (Conrad Grebel Review), and an article on female agency and conversion in Joseph and Aseneth (Journal of Religion and Popular Culture). She has presented at several conferences, and she was the winner of the 2013 Word & World essay prize for doctoral candidates. She has published book reviews in the Review of Biblical Literature, Princeton Theological Review, Biblical Interpretation, Mennonite Quarterly Review, Conrad Grebel Review, Catholic Biblical Quarterly, and Biblical Theology Bulletin. She is also a regular contributor to publications such as Anabaptist World, Christian Leader, Working Preacher, and the Christian Scholars Review Blog.A Mennonite (an ordained minister in the MCUSA), Dr. Howard serves on a planning committee for the Mennonite Scholars and Friends Forum held at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. She is also completing her second term as the elected President of the Society for the Future of Higher Education.