Melnychenko, Orr Join Achievement Center Staff

SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State Athletics has added Caitlin Melnychenko and former Bears softball player Madison Orr to the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Achievement Center staff. Melnychenko will serve as a learning specialist and Orr will take on the role of academic advisor.  
 
Melnychenko comes to Springfield from the University of North Texas where she served in the same role. She provided academic support to assigned student-athletes across all sports, helped implement academic and study plans and frequently communicated with the academic support team, coaches and student-athletes in addition to other responsibilities.
 
She also served as a Tutorial Coordinator at North Texas, where she was in charge of hiring and training tutors, academic coaches, study hall monitors and assistant learning specialists. Her responsibilities included developing tutoring schedules, creating tutor training materials and manuals consistent with department and NCAA rules and assisting in the planning of student-athlete events. 
 
Melnychenko also previously worked at Arizona State University as a Senior Instructional Specialist and Instructional Aide. She also spent 10 years as an English and Social Studies teacher at Notre Dame Preparatory High School.
 
A two-time graduate of Arizona State, Melnychenko earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education in 2013 and her master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2016. She also recently completed a graduate certificate in Intercollegiate Athletics – Academic Success from the University of Mississippi in May 2024.
 
Orr, a Bowling Green, Mo., native is no stranger to Springfield as she spent five years at Missouri State. After transferring from John Wood Community College, Orr played softball at MSU for three seasons under former head coach Holly Hesse. She was a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Honor Roll member and was named to the MSU Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in all three seasons.
 
After completing her playing career, Orr then transitioned into a Graduate Assistant role for the softball team for two seasons. A two-time graduate of MSU, she earned her bachelor’s degree in General Studies in May 2021 and her master’s degree in Counseling in May 2024.
 
Following her stint at MSU, Orr spent the past year working as a school based counselor for Springfield Catholic Schools and was the head softball coach for Springfield Catholic High School. She worked closely with children throughout the school system, regularly communicating with parents, teachers and faculty on ensuring the right course of action for each individual.
 
Their hires are contingent upon formal approval by the Missouri State University Board of Governors at its next scheduled meeting.