PNJ Trustee and Board Secretary, Melissa Ziobro radiates energy, enthusiasm, and the ability to get things done! PNJ has been fortunate to have Ms. Ziobro serve as a Trustee since 2021 and she has brought a background of experience and innovative ideas to the organization.
Melissa describes herself as that “history and book nerd since she was a child” and her continued interest resulted in an undergraduate degree in History and Political Science from Monmouth University. Subsequently, she received a master’s degree in US History. Early in her journey, Melissa took a required internship with the National Park Service at Fort Hancock. When the semester was over, she was recommended for a student position at Fort Monmouth in the Command Historian’s Office that would eventually result in a full-time paid position after graduation. This was a pivotal time as it allowed her to gain firsthand experience with Veteran and Military History. At the same time, her love of history in general resulted in employment as an adjunct professor at Monmouth University two evenings a week! She stayed at Fort Monmouth until it closed in 2011. But – despite initial thoughts of becoming an attorney until she realized history could be a career – Melissa subsequently became a full-time professor at Monmouth University. She realized she had a deep love of teaching and conveying knowledge in a fun and interactive way, not just for her students but for the community at large.
Always moving forward, Melissa began the public history program at Monmouth University, and her course Introduction to Public History is required for all History Majors. Today she is the Director of Public History, Monmouth University, West Long Branch – just a mile from the Jersey shore. Melissa’s teaching has involved engaging students in practical application for what they learn in class. This includes partnering with local projects and places, one of which was the Bruce Springsteen Archives located at the University. Due to making connections and her positive impact, last year Melissa accepted the position of Curator of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. The museum is located on the Monmouth University campus (the continued growth has resulted in the building of a new 30,000 square foot museum that will open in 2026!) and provides another avenue for Melissa to work her magic in introducing the exciting archives of Bruce Springsteen in conjunction with the overall history found in the Center for American Music.
Beginning as a committee volunteer at PNJ during COVID, a brainstorming session on how to stay engaged with preservation resulted in Melissa creating the concept of PNJ’s virtual programming. “Q&A with PNJ” provides a variety of preservation minded speakers and topics at no cost and is still wildly popular today. Added to that is the successful virtual series “Talks with the Ten Most.” Hosted by PNJ and presented by those intimately involved with the sites, the program focuses on the successes, challenges, and sometimes failures of New Jersey’s treasured places. PNJ’s robust programming each month can be attributed to the creative nature of Melissa’s personality and her ability to recognize outreach possibilities. The importance of virtual programming allows no barriers to access and provides the ability to educate, inform, and engage statewide.
Melissa believes that historic preservation helps everyone to understand who we are, how we got here, and ways to go forward. She also stresses that we need to share with the public that there are significant advantages to historic preservation: tax benefits, economic benefits such as heritage tourism, and sustainability – a green movement! More importantly, Melissa notes that “State agencies can only do so much – they need nonprofit partners like Preservation New Jersey to collaborate with communities and the public in general.”
In May 2024, Melissa published “Fort Monmouth – The US Army’s House of Magic” – that traces the history of Fort Monmouth, which was the “birthplace of innovation and technological revolution and the home of a uniquely diverse group of military and civilian heroes and scientists.” For more information see: https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781955041225/fort-monmouth/
While she cares deeply about the work of Preservation New Jersey, Melissa has full-time jobs plus two school age children that keep her constantly occupied. We are especially thankful that she has allowed time in her schedule to enhance the work of Preservation New Jersey! Thank you, Melissa!
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