Melany Dickens

Assistant Vice President for Research,
Director of Planning & Operations
Planning and Operations
201 David L. Boren Boulevard, Room 184
Norman, OK 73019
Telephone: (405) 325-5208
Fax: (405) 325-6029
Email: mdickens@ou.edu

Melany assists departments and faculty with research space planning, renovations, new equipment and development across the Norman campus. She coordinates new faculty startups, assists with faculty retentions and serves as the VPR’s project planner. Melany also serves on new lab and building committees that are directly related to research. She works closely with the Corporate Engagement Office and Real Estate Operations on development of the Research Campus, and also with Facilities Management on projects related to research space across campus. She also supervises the VPR Administrative Staff. Current projects and tasks are as follows:

• Serving on Devon Cleanroom building committee
• Serving on Radar Innovation Laboratory building committee
• Serving on Tenant Advisory Committee for the Research Campus
• Coordination of lab renovations and research space for 11 new faculty hires for Fall 2011 (ongoing)
• Coordination of startup, lab renovation and research space for the radar cluster initiative including four new faculty hires for Spring 2012
• Coordination of a major faculty retention affecting both the Norman and HSC campuses
• Coordination of external review teams for special projects
• Project planning as assigned by VPR

Melany earned her Master’s Degree in Geography from the University of Oklahoma and has worked at the University since 1987. She began with the Office of the Vice President for Research in 2003 as Building Manager of Stephenson Research and Technology Center (SRTC) on the University Research Campus. As the Director of Operations for the VPR Office, Melany supervises all VPR Office administrative staff, and oversees SRTC and the SRTC Store within the building. She is responsible for implementing and maintaining a Research Space Inventory for the Norman campus and she oversees Core Facilities and Cost Centers located within. She also facilitates the VPR portion of new faculty startup which includes new equipment purchases and research facility renovation. Her office also assists faculty with management plans for grant proposals related to large equipment and new facility development; and, as need arises, she works closely with Facilities Management to renovate existing research space. Melany works on many special projects directly related to Dr. Droegemeier’s endeavors.

Melany enjoys all outdoor activities, yoga, reading and spending time with family.