​​​Melanie Mena is majoring in visual and public art and minoring in psychology at CSU Monterey Bay. 

As the program manager at Arts Habitat, she promotes events and programs. Always searching for ways to give back to her local community, Melanie also works as an art teacher at the Arts Council for Monterey County and volunteers as a mentor at First Tee-Monterey County, a transformational youth development program centered on golf. 

A first-generation college student from a single-parent household, Melanie has experienced homelessness, poverty, home instability and gender inequality, which has inspired her to pursue higher education and achieve financial stability in order to help others like her. 

Melanie plans to earn a teaching credential so she can continue to help younger generations embrace self-expression and their unique identities.​