Michael R. Melloch, professor of electrical and computer engineering

Michael R. Melloch, professor in Purdue University’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been recognized for the third time with the Class of 1922 Helping Students Learn Award. The honor, which celebrates outstanding innovation in teaching and learning, was awarded to Melloch for his pioneering course and companion book titled Keys to Learning: Unlocking Your Brain’s Potential.

This prestigious award, sponsored annually by the Purdue Class of 1922 alumni, honors a faculty member, graduate student, or administrative professional who has significantly improved students' educational experiences through innovative and impactful teaching practices. Melloch’s efforts exemplify these ideals by introducing students to cutting-edge insights on how the brain learns—and how to unlock its full potential.

While Melloch joined Purdue’s ECE faculty in 1984 and consistently earned praise as an effective educator, his approach to teaching shifted dramatically in 2006 when his daughter became a Purdue student. This personal milestone, coupled with his appointment as Associate Head for Education in 2007, sparked a deeper commitment to undergraduate education and a renewed focus on the learning process itself.

Rather than step back from the classroom as his administrative duties expanded, Melloch chose to stay engaged in teaching, inspired by former Purdue Dean of Engineering Henry Yang—who, even after becoming Chancellor at UC Santa Barbara, continued to teach and mentor students. That example of dedication led Melloch on a journey to understand how learning really works.

“I realized that we are still learning how people learn, and how to optimize the brain for learning,” Melloch reflected in his nomination. “There are things that have been known about the learning process since at least 1885, yet few students are ever taught them.”

This realization led to years of research on topics ranging from neuroplasticity to the impact of sleep, exercise, nutrition, mindset, and relationships on learning. He began offering departmental seminars on these findings—and the response was overwhelming. Students were engaged, inspired, and eager for more. Recognizing the need for a single resource that distilled this knowledge, Melloch authored The Keys to Learning: Unlocking Your Brain’s Potential, published in July 2023. The book has been met with widespread acclaim, earning dozens of five-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.

Building on the book’s success, Melloch created a new course, ENGR 10301: Keys to Learning, which debuted in Fall 2023 to 127 mostly First-Year Engineering students. The Spring 2024 semester saw enrollment of 67 students, including participants from across disciplines. In the 2024–25 academic year, enrollment has more than doubled, with 429 students registered.

The course stands out by weaving together the science of learning with practical strategies for students to improve their academic performance—and their lives. Topics range from study techniques and brain optimization to emotional well-being and mindfulness. Weekly reflection exercises on Brightspace reveal how deeply students connect with the material. Their words speak volumes:

“This class has been truly eye-opening. I believe that all ECE students—and perhaps students in other majors—should take this class during their college journey,” wrote one student. “As a senior, I’ve realized that there’s so much I wish I had approached differently.”

“This is my favorite class I have ever taken. I find myself captivated during lecture!” another student reflected. “Never before have I seen someone get an ovation after the last lecture, but Professor Melloch did in this course.”

“I came out of high school after getting by with barely ever studying. I got to Purdue in desperate need of real study habits, and this class was perfect for me,” one student shared. “Professor Melloch’s class has been a great help in my learning how to study properly and refining those methods throughout the semester.”

The course’s impact is reflected in stellar course-instructor evaluations, which improved even from their already-exceptional initial semester. Melloch continues to enhance the course based on student feedback and new research insights.

“The innovation lies in uniting everything important for learning—neurobiology, psychology, lifestyle habits, and academic techniques—into a single course and resource,” said Melloch. “It’s about giving students the tools to become lifelong learners.”

Melloch envisions the course becoming a cornerstone of the First-Year Engineering experience—and valuable to students across Purdue.

He previously won the Helping Students Learn award in 2018 and 2023.