Bio

Melissa Shipman begins her fourth season as head cheer coach at Baker, going into the 2025-26 season.

In 2026, Shipman and the Baker Cheer team made their debut at the NAIA National Championship. The team also produced its first NAIA All-Americans in program history as Alaina Lorfing (Fr., Tonganoxie, Kan.) was selected to the All-America First Team, while Abby Patz (Fr., Oskaloosa, Kan.) and Jaiden Fisher (So., Shawnee, Kan.) each earned third-team honors.

The BU cheer team posted its second straight top-five finish at the Heart championship, placing fifth overall at the 2025 Heart Conference Championship. Under Shipman, five members of the Baker Wildcats cheer team earned All-Conference honors, highlighted by Riley Honeyman securing All-Heart First Team recognition for the second consecutive year. Anyaiya Calata-Garcia and Zoey Schroeter were named to the second team, while Emily Hansen and Madi Humphrey earned honorable mention honors to round out the Wildcats’ awards.

In 2024, Shipman led the Wildcats to their highest conference finish after placing fourth at the Heart Conference Championships. Baker went on to earn its second straight runner-up finish in the All-Girl division at the DTU College Classic in April.

Shipman joined the Wildcats prior to the 2022-23 competition season after spending 15 years as the head cheer coach at former Heart of America Conference member, Avila University. During her time at Avila, Shipman led the Eagles cheer squad to nine top-five finishes at the UCA College Nationals, including a national championship in 2013 in the All-Girl Cheer division. While competing in the Heart, she guided the team to four conference championships. Additionally, Shipman also served a two-year stint as Assistant Athletic Director for the Eagles from 2019-2021.

Shipman received her undergraduate degree from Park University in 2006 before going on to earn a Master's degree in Organizational Behavior in Leadership Coaching from Avila.