Position: Director
Location: Monmouth, Oregon
Organization: Center on Early Learning and Youth Development at The Research Institute at Western Oregon University
Robyn Lopez Melton is the Director of the Center on Early Learning and Youth Development at The Research Institute at Western Oregon University, where she oversees two components of Oregon’s early learning system, Spark, Oregon’s Quality Rating and Improvement System and the state coordination of Oregon’s Child Care Resource and Referral. Lopez Melton has worked in early learning for over 17 years. Her previous experience includes time at a local CCR&R agency and as the Bilingual Outreach Coordinator at a nonprofit child abuse prevention program, working with families with children ages 0-3.
Lopez Melton has a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies, another BA with a focus in Culture, Humanities and Politics of the Americas and a Master of Science degree in Education with a focus in Information Technology. She has extensive volunteer and board leadership experience. Highlights include serving as the President of the Oregon Association for the Education of Young Children governing board and on the National Association for the Education of Young Children Affiliate Advisory Council, where she was elected by her peers to chair the council in 2018. In 2015, Lopez Melton was selected by Exchange Magazine as an Exceptional Emerging Leader in Early Childhood.
