Melissa Joy Roberts, JD, MSN, FNP-BC, Clinical Associate Professor, has been on the faculty of the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies since 1995. She has been the Interim Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Studies since August 2019. Professor Roberts previously served as the Executive Associate Dean (2018), Associate Dean for Academics (2014-2018) and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs.

 Professor Roberts earned BSN and MSN degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a JD from the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Law. She has practiced as a Family Nurse Practitioner with rural and under-served populations since 1991 and has been a licensed attorney since 2006. Her practice interests are in family practice, dermatology and mental health. Her practice interests are in family practice, dermatology and mental health. She is also interested in legal issues in nursing practice.

 She has taught courses in Policy, Politics and Professional Ethics, Advanced Health Assessment, Health Promotion and Primary Care Clinicals.