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Gravert earned a master's degree in Education and Curriculum and Instruction from WIU in 2018.
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WQPT's Melissa Gravert Named Quad Cities Regional Business Journal Women of Influence Honoree

June 12, 2026

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*Contents of this feature were used from the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal article 2026.

MOLINE, IL – Melissa Gravert, director of educational outreach for WQPT PBS at Western Illinois University, has been named a 2026 Women of Influence honoree by the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal.

The annual recognition highlights women across the Quad Cities region who are making significant contributions through their professional accomplishments, leadership and community service.

Gravert was recognized for her work leading WQPT's educational outreach initiatives throughout the region. Since joining WQPT in 2022, she has expanded programming that supports children, families and educators across eastern Iowa and western Illinois. According to the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal, WQPT's outreach efforts reached more than 8,500 individuals in 2025, distributed nearly 3,700 books and coordinated more than 200 volunteers.

"We are incredibly proud of Melissa for receiving this well-deserved honor. Her passion for our community and her unwavering commitment to education inspire everyone around her. Melissa consistently goes above and beyond to make a positive difference in the lives of others, and her dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm are truly remarkable. She is an inspiration to our team and to the many people she serves," WQPT General Manager Dawn Schmitt said.

A former classroom teacher and school librarian, Gravert spent a decade working in Quad Cities public schools before transitioning to educational outreach. In her role at WQPT, she oversees several key programs, including the First Book Program, which places books directly into the hands of students and helps build home libraries. She also leads Imagination Station, a free annual PBS Kids event featuring STEAM-focused activities and the Summer of Adventures program, which brings educational outreach to libraries and community events throughout the region.

The Quad Cities Regional Business Journal also highlighted Gravert's work supporting multilingual learners and educators. In 2025, she helped organize the WQPT and WIU-QC Multilingual Education Conference, bringing together educators, advocates and community leaders to discuss multilingual education strategies.

"The impact of Melissa's work can be seen throughout the Quad Cities. She cares deeply about community and building people up. Melissa is an amazing educator, an outstanding professional, and WIU is proud to have her as part of our team," Audrey Adamson, WIU-QC Executive Director of Outreach and Campus Operations.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Gravert has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in the child welfare system, volunteered with World Relief to support immigrant and refugee families and co-organized community civic engagement events in the Quad Cities.

In the Women of Influence feature, Gravert reflected on her career path and the opportunity to continue serving students and families through public media outreach.

"I feel really fortunate that I've taken my teaching background and all the things that I loved about teaching and I still get to do those things," Gravert told the Quad Cities Regional Business Journal. "I still get to support kids and families and teachers."

Gravert earned a master's degree in Education and Curriculum and Instruction from WIU in 2018.

For more information on WQPT, visit wqpt.org. For more information on WIU's Education program, visit wiu.edu/education.

Posted By: Lexi Dittmar (aj-dittmar@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing