Melinda Hill, WKU instructor and executive-in-residence of Information Systems, was chosen Thursday morning from among 18 applicants to fill the empty seat on Bowling Green’s Board of Commissioners.

Hill becomes the second WKU instructor on the board, joining commissioner Bill Waltrip, the only commissioner against Hill’s appointment in the 3-1 vote.

“I am so excited about the opportunity to serve the citizens of Bowling Green,” Hill said in a release. “With the exception of a few years when I was an infant and when I went away to college, I have lived here my entire life. I have raised my two children here and believe it is a great community to live and work. I view this as my opportunity to give back to a community that has blessed my life so deeply.”

The board spot was open after former mayor Elaine Walker was appointed Secretary of State. Joe Denning is now mayor of Bowling Green.

Interviews for the open seat took place Tuesday in a special session at the regular Board of Commissioners meeting.

Hill is a Warren County native and attended Warren East High School. She received her undergraduate degree from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., and earned her Masters of Business Administration from WKU.

She specializes in computer science, marketing and consumer behavior. This semester Hill is teaching three courses in basic computer literacy and one in emerging information technology.

Hill serves on various boards for businesses around the region and has experience working at Fruit of the Loom and Trans Financial Bank.