From the Pitch to Ph.D.

From the Pitch to Ph.D.

From the Pitch to Ph.D. By Anna Todd | Spring / Summer 2026 | FMU Focus Magazine Spring / Summer 2026 On any given day, Melina Much (`18) analyzes political behavior, studying how identity shapes public opinion and how digital spaces influence civic life. As a postdoctoral fellow at New York University’s Center for Social Media, AI, and Politics, her work sits at the intersection of data, democracy, and digital life. But her path to one of the nation’s leading research institutions didn’t begin in a lab or a lecture hall. It began on a soccer field, with a leap of faith that carried her across the country. A native of Valley Center, California, Much first discovered Francis Marion University during her junior year of high school after being recruited by the university’s soccer coach. She traveled east for an ID camp for prospective players and quickly realized she had found something special. “I just fell in love with the campus,” she says. “The environment, the weather, the people, it was an easy sell.” That visit sealed her decision to move thousands of miles from home, and ultimately, back and forth across the country in pursuit of both athletic and academic excellence. At FMU, Much found exactly what she was looking for: the opportunity to compete at a high level while engaging deeply in her studies. Dr. David White, a professor of political science and one of Much’s mentors, recalls first connecting with her when she reached out to him while she was still a student in high school. “Melina is one of the best political science majors I have ever had,” says White. “I remember when she first reached out to me while a high school student contemplating attending FMU. She asked so many great questions and was so engaged even at that point. The fact that she earned her Ph.D. in political science, and from a top graduate program, makes her success very special.” On the field, Much stood out as an outside back player, earning All-Academic Team honors and the Swamp Fox Academic Award, the athletic department’s highest academic honor. She credits FMU’s coaching staff and campus community with creating an environment where she could thrive both athletically and academically. Her interest in political science, however, had taken root many years earlier. A trip to Washington, D.C., when she was in middle school sparked her curiosity, which continued to grow through her high school AP Government coursework. By the time she arrived at FMU, she knew she wanted to explore the field more deeply. Pairing political science with economics allowed her to better understand both the systems and behaviors that shape society. It was her involvement in FMU’s Honors Program that truly defined her trajectory. As an Honors Ambassador, Much had the opportunity to study abroad in Ireland, broadening her perspective and deepening her academic interests. Her honors thesis, How Southern Women Associate with Feminism, proved to be a formative experience, foreshadowing the work she would pursue years later. “The Honors research project I chose really sparked my interest in gender and politics,” she says. “It was during this project that I realized how much I really loved research.” That realization would guide the next phase of her journey. After graduating from FMU, Much returned to California, where she earned both an MS in Math and Behavioral Science and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California at Irvine. During her doctoral studies, she spent two years as a visiting Ph.D. research student at the California Institute of Technology, where she worked as an identity politics specialist. There, she contributed to projects analyzing data related to the Black Lives Matter and MeToo movements, an experience that introduced her to the rapidly evolving field of social media and political behavior. That work ultimately led her to NYU, where she now studies how digital platforms shape political attitudes and engagement. Her days are filled with research, analyzing complex datasets, and managing multiple projects at once. It’s fast-paced, demanding work, but it’s exactly where she wants to be. Looking back, Much credits FMU with laying the foundation for her success. “The small class sizes and close relationships with professors made a huge difference,” she says. “I was able to see what academic work really looked like and build connections that went beyond the classroom.” Those early experiences helped demystify research and gave her the confidence to pursue it as a career. Now, as she completes her postdoctoral fellowship, Much is focused on the future. She hopes to secure a tenure-track faculty position where she can continue her research, teach the next generation of students, and contribute to a deeper understanding of politics. What began as a soccer recruitment trip has grown into a career dedicated to understanding how people think, connect, and engage in an increasingly digital world. LATEST FMU NEWS .vc_custom_1682019490117{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}.vc_custom_1682019509198{padding-top: 20px !important;}.vc_custom_1682009868157{padding-top: 0px !important;}.vc_custom_1676044765706{padding-top: 5px !important;}.vc_custom_1682019473760{padding-top: 5px !important;}President Carter’s Memorial Day RemarksMay 27, 2026On May 25, 2026, FMU President Luther F. Carter was invited to speak at the Memorial Day Ceremonies at the Florence National Cemetery. Colonel Carter had previously served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for 30 years. During this time, he commanded an infantry company, a landing support company, and […] FMU Releases Spring 2026 Semester President’s, Dean’s ListsMay 26, 2026Francis Marion University named 391 full-time students and 38 part-time students to its President’s List for the Spring 2026 semester. In addition, 501 full-time students and 66 part-time students made the Dean’s List for the fall semester. Students named to the President’s List have earned a GPA of 3.75 or higher for the semester. Dean’s […] FMU Education Foundation receives $32,500 grant from Power:Ed to help SC students retain their merit scholarshipsMay 21, 2026The Francis Marion University Education Foundation has been awarded a $32,500 grant from Power:Ed, the philanthropy of SC Student Loan Corporation, to support the expansion of FMU’s Summer Success program to help approximately 35 students from South Carolina retain their merit scholarships. Funding will cover up to four credit hours of summer tuition and fees […] LATEST INSTAGRAM francismarionu The official Instagram of Francis Marion University, home of the patriots. Members of the FMU MI Ensemble participated in the Experience Cosmic Colors at the Dooley Planetar Your FMU journey starts here! Join us for Orientat During the late Spring term, FMU students traveled Patriots, another semester is in the books! Take Students participating in a travel study program t On May 25, 2026, FMU President Luther F. Carter wa FMU named 391 full-time students and 38 part-time This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the coura Load More... Follow on Instagram GET SOCIAL