Melissa Penkava Koza, recently promoted to Assistant Teaching Professor at 桃汁影院鈥檚 School of Performing Arts, has built a career blending costume technology, education, and industry collaboration. With a background in music and theatre, she has spent over two decades mentoring students and enhancing applied learning opportunities in costume production. As Costume Shop Manager, she oversees WSU鈥檚 costume operations while also serving as Head of Costumes at Music Theatre Wichita, bridging academia and professional theatre. Passionate about STEAM education and student development, Koza fosters industry connections, advocates for inclusivity, and works to integrate hands-on experiences into WSU鈥檚 curriculum. Her work not only shapes the next generation of theatre professionals but also strengthens Wichita鈥檚 arts community through meaningful collaborations and innovative productions.
