Melinda Keifer

Melinda Stone Keifer, ’83 human ecology, loves her community and her experience at Tennessee Tech has helped fuel that passion.

“I want to make my community a better place to work, live and play,” Melinda, who is the coordinator of economic and community development for the City of Cookeville, said. “I get to participate in impacting these aspects in my daily work.”

A key factor for community success, she says, is job creation.

“It is the foundation of a stable sustainable economy,” Keifer said. “It helps build new neighborhoods, fund schools and provide more services for our citizens. It also helps increase enrollment at Tennessee Tech!”

Keifer’s experiences at Tech began when she was just 5-years-old when she attended an elementary school on campus, and her dad was a Golden Eagle football coach. Tech is also where she met Randy Keifer, ’85 civil engineering, who she describes as “the man of her dreams.” The couple now has two children.

Emily Keifer, ’16 family relations and child development, is now a graduate student at Tech seeking a master’s degree in public safety.

Melinda and Emily are both Kappa Delta alums and Melinda continues to serve the university through the Tennessee Tech Alumni Association.

“As a human ecology major and a Kappa Delta, I learned a broad range of skills,” Melinda said.

What has stuck with her the most, she says are the leadership skills and the ability to build and be a part of a team she developed as a Tech student.

Those are things she uses daily as she works to facilitate growth and development for her community.