Meet a Colleague: Melissa Neal Melissa Neal serves as university registrar.

W&L News Office
September 30, 2026

Q. How long have you worked at W&L?
I’ve been at W&L for a little more than two years now.

Q. What is the favorite aspect of your job at W&L?
The family-like community that comes with support and encouragement across campus.

Q. Where did you grow up?
Just outside of Richmond, Virginia.

Q. What was your favorite subject in school?
Music. My dad was my chorus teacher in high school, and I grew up surrounded by music.

Q. What three words describe you best?
Loyal, positive and understanding.

Q. Name one person from history you would like to spend a day with and why.
I’d love to spend time with Queen Elizabeth II. The responsibilities she took on at such a young age, the decisions and sacrifices she had to make to put the country first, and how she stayed strong in her faith over the years are all so intriguing to me. I would love to hear about the challenges that came along with that and where she found her strength and guidance.

Q. What do you like to do away from work?
I spend a lot of time with my family, making memories with my kids. I also love to read, crochet and watch movies.

Q. What is your least favorite chore at home?
Washing dishes and folding laundry. How do we go through so much laundry?

Q. What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
I love trick or treating with my kiddos, especially in Lexington. I also love our Christmas Eve tradition of matching PJs, hot chocolate with marshmallows and a family movie (my husband often chooses Star Wars but sometimes I can sneak another movie into the mix).

Q. What is the most adventurous thing that you have ever done?
I picked up my whole life and moved to Boston when I was in my early 20s without knowing anyone there.

Q. What is your all-time favorite food or food dish?
When I lived in Boston there was a Thai restaurant down the street that had a mango curry dish with chicken that I LOVED. They made really good avocado smoothies that I haven’t been able to replicate either.

Q. What is your all-time favorite book?
The “A Discovery of Witches” trilogy is probably my favorite. Deb Harkness has an amazing way of painting a picture, building her characters and including history into her stories.

Q. If you could choose one series to binge-watch, what would it be?
“Ted Lasso” although “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” might be a close second — just don’t tell my husband!

Q. Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
Right after high school I worked as a singing waitress on a riverboat cruise. It was one of my favorite jobs.