Dr. Melissa Hortman: The Purpose-Driven Disruptor Leading Higher Education Transformation

As a purpose-driven disruptor, Dr. Melissa Hortman intentionally challenges the status quo to create positive, lasting change.

Charting Her Path

Dr. Hortman’s career path was unconventional. While her initial foray into Architecture allowed her to explore how spaces shape human behavior, her true passion lay in higher education. As an undergraduate, she worked multiple jobs on campus, gaining insights into how education systems function. This exposure inspired her to pursue a master’s in student affairs, where she discovered the potential for innovation and inclusivity in education. Her commitment to making a positive impact became central to her career, eventually leading her to Microsoft, where she works to revolutionize education on a global scale.

Her Role at Microsoft

As a Senior Industry Executive at Microsoft, Dr. Hortman bridges the gap between academia and technology, working to empower educators and researchers to solve pressing challenges in higher education. She is passionate about integrating cloud computing and disruptive technologies to accelerate academic research and create new possibilities for teaching and learning. Dr. Hortman’s innovative strategies have positioned her as a thought leader within both the academic and tech communities, driving Microsoft’s efforts to support faculty innovation and student resiliency.

Facing Challenges and Disrupting Norms

Throughout her career, Dr. Hortman has often been one of the few women in male-dominated fields. Her experiences in Architecture, technology, and academia have helped her find her voice and use it to disrupt and improve systems. Her mission to empower others aligns closely with Microsoft’s vision, and her commitment to driving transformation in higher education has earned her numerous accolades, including a Hero Award for bringing the faculty voice to Microsoft.

The Power of Technology

Dr. Hortman firmly believes in the potential of technology to serve as a catalyst for change, but she emphasizes that it’s the people behind the technology who make the real difference. She has been instrumental in developing tools like Microsoft’s wellness PowerApp, which scaled to over 30,000 employees. She also continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in academic research, empowering researchers to leverage cutting-edge technologies in their work.

Future Goals

Looking ahead, Dr. Hortman is focused on expanding Microsoft’s role in higher education. Her goal is to empower every student, faculty member, and administrator to excel and contribute to the success of their institutions. With only 2.57% of U.S. institutions holding R1 classification, she aims to help all institutions grow their research enterprises by transforming research infrastructure and fostering a culture of innovation.

Words for the Next Generation

Dr. Hortman encourages the next generation of disruptors to embrace change. She believes that transformational leadership will be essential for navigating the future of higher education and driving meaningful progress in the years ahead.

Her vision for the future of education is clear: inspire, empower, and lead transformation.