The Rev. Melanie Dobson is an assistant professor and the Lefler and Wohltmann Chair in Methodist Studies at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) of Lenoir-Rhyne University. In addition to Methodism classes, she teaches theology, ethics, mission, and evangelism courses. She also directs the Spiritual Direction Certification Program at LTSS, which is a two-year, non-degree program.

Dobson became an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church in 2005. She has served as a pastor in rural, suburban and urban churches for close to two decades. Her academic interests include the intersections of theology, health and healing as well as ecology and racial justice. She trained at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation as a spiritual director. Dobson also is a registered yoga teacher and incorporates yoga into her ministry.

She has published a book, Health as a Virtue: Thomas Aquinas and the Practice of Habits of Health, and has had articles published in the Wesley Theological Journal and the Journal of Religion and Health.