Ackerman earns doctorate degree

Melinda Barlass Ackerman completed her doctorate degree studies in education administration from Walden University last February and participated in the commencement celebration in Minneapolis Aug. 17. Her dissertation was on the relationship between student purpose in life and performance on New Mexico based assessment. The daughter of Tom and Alice Barlass of Colfax, she is a member of the 1992 class of Colfax High School. She received her undergraduate degree in education at Eastern Washington University and masters degree at Jacksonville. She now chairs the English department at the Explore Knowledge Academy charter school where she teaches junior high English courses.