Can Montco woman, Rowan University professor defend 'Jeopardy!' title?

A college professor from Montgomery County went all the way to Africa to bring home the "Jeopardy!" championship in Monday's episode.

Melissa Klapper, of Merion Station, is now the reigning champion on the hit trivia gameshow following a commanding performance in her first aired episode.

Klapper won by correctly responding to the Final Jeopardy clue, which came from the "Countries of Africa" category.

Klapper will look to defend her win on tonight's episode (7 p.m., ABC). But who is Melissa Klapper and how did she walk away with the "Jeopardy!" championship?

Show officials and Klapper both confirmed that she wouldn't be allowed to speak with the media in advance of tonight's episode, but here's what we know about Klapper, her victory and her next challengers.

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From Rowan University to 'Jeopardy!' set

Klapper is currently the coordinator of the Women's & Gender Studies Program at Rowan University, which is located in Glassboro, New Jersey.

According to her university profile, Klapper teaches American and women's history, with a focus on late 19th and early 20th century. In academia, Klapper has authored Jewish Girls Coming of Age in America, 1860-1920 and Small Strangers: The Experiences of Immigrant Children in the United States, 1880-1925.

Klapper also serves as book review editor of the American Jewish History journal and recently completed a term as the co-chair of the Association for Jewish Studies's Modern Jewish History — The Americas division.

Klapper wins 'Jeopardy!,' faces new challengers tonight

Klapper went up against fellow challenger Jake Garrett and returning champion Kelly Barry in Monday's episode.

Klapper had $21,400 in winnings before wagering $3,000 and correctly responding to the last Daily Double clue, "It’s a term for the seat of authority of a bishop." (Answer: What is See.)

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That left Klapper with $24,400, Garrett with $12,400 and Kelly with $8,200 in winnings before the Final Jeopardy category.

Klapper then pulled out the win by answering a tricky Final Jeopardy clue: "At one time a province of the Roman empire, this kingdom is known to Arabic scholars as Al-maghrib Al-aqsa, 'The Far West.'"

All three contestants had Morocco as the correct answer.

Berry wagered $8,000, bringing her total to $16,200. Garrett wagered his entire pot, doubling his winnings to $24,800 and briefly taking the lead from Klapper.

Klapper, however, in a bit of shrewd gamesmanship, wagered $401, giving her a winnings grand total of $24,801. Host Ken Jennings called it the perfect wager.

Can Klapper pull out any more perfect wagers? Klapper is set to defend her title on tonight's episode against challengers Brandon Anderson and Charlotte Diffendale.

This news organization will have the results of Tuesday's contest later today.