Rate My Professor Melissa Savage

Dr. Savage holds a PhD in Special Education with an emphasis in Severe Disabilities from Purdue University (2016), an MS in Special Education from Purdue University (2010), and a BS in Exercise Science with emphasis in Kinesiotherapy from Morehead State University (2005). Her scholarly contributions include key publications such as "Capabilities, opportunities, and motivation: Exploring fitness program experiences of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities" (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2023, with A.M. Colombo-Dougovito); "Step it up: Increasing physical activity for adults with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability using supported self-management and Fitbit technology" (Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 2022, with B. Tomaszewski and K.A. Hume); "Increasing physical activity for adults with autism spectrum disorder: Comparing in-person and technology delivered praise" (Research in Developmental Disabilities, 2018, with T. Taber-Doughty, M.T. Brodhead, and E.C. Bouck); and "Supporting healthier grocery-shopping habits for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities using self-management and technology: A single-case pilot" (Disabilities, 2023). She has earned recognition including Invited Leadership CEC Program Participant and election to the Board of Directors for the Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD) in 2023, Junior Faculty Researcher of the Year nominee at UNT (2022), Best Research Poster Awards at Purdue University (2014, 2015), and Technologies in Special Education Scholar funding ($82,485, 2012-2015). At the University of Arkansas, Dr. Savage co-directs the Arkansas Transition Research Advocacy Community (AR-TRAC) Lab, contributes to the ELEVATE consortium for doctoral training in disabilities research, and leads the NIH-funded PACE program to promote physical activity among adults with disabilities.