diff --git a/atst/forms/update_member.py b/atst/forms/update_member.py
index e569d05b..2d60d33d 100644
--- a/atst/forms/update_member.py
+++ b/atst/forms/update_member.py
@@ -9,5 +9,5 @@ from .data import WORKSPACE_ROLES
 class UpdateMemberForm(Form):
 
     workspace_role = SelectField(
-        "Workspace Role", choices=WORKSPACE_ROLES, validators=[Optional()], default=""
+        "Workspace Role", choices=WORKSPACE_ROLES, validators=[Optional()]
     )
diff --git a/atst/models/user.py b/atst/models/user.py
index 643fd3f5..0d8f0dc6 100644
--- a/atst/models/user.py
+++ b/atst/models/user.py
@@ -21,6 +21,10 @@ class User(Base):
     first_name = Column(String)
     last_name = Column(String)
 
+    @property
+    def role(self):
+        return self.atat_role.name
+
     @property
     def atat_permissions(self):
         return self.atat_role.permissions
diff --git a/atst/routes/workspaces.py b/atst/routes/workspaces.py
index 3be5c097..80f35741 100644
--- a/atst/routes/workspaces.py
+++ b/atst/routes/workspaces.py
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ def view_member(workspace_id, member_id):
         "edit this workspace user",
     )
     member = WorkspaceUsers.get(workspace_id, member_id)
-    form = UpdateMemberForm(http_request.form)
+    form = UpdateMemberForm(workspace_role=member.role)
     return render_template(
         "member_edit.html", form=form, workspace=workspace, member=member
     )
@@ -155,14 +155,19 @@ def update_member(workspace_id, member_id):
     form = UpdateMemberForm(http_request.form)
 
     if form.validate():
+        if form.data["workspace_role"]:
+            role = form.data["workspace_role"]
+        else:
+            role = member.user.role
         Workspaces.update_member(
-            g.current_user, workspace, member, form.data["workspace_role"]
+            g.current_user, workspace, member, role
         )
         return redirect(
             url_for(
                 "workspaces.workspace_members",
                 workspace_id=workspace.id,
                 memberName=member.user.full_name,
+                updatedRole=form.data["workspace_role"],
             )
         )
     else:
diff --git a/templates/workspace_members.html b/templates/workspace_members.html
index 0c1f3c7e..34761341 100644
--- a/templates/workspace_members.html
+++ b/templates/workspace_members.html
@@ -33,10 +33,11 @@
   ) }}
 {% endif %}
 
-{% set updated_member_name = request.args.get("memberName") %}
-{% if updated_member_name %}
+{% set member_name = request.args.get("memberName") %}
+{% set updated_role = request.args.get("updatedRole") %}
+{% if updated_role %}
     {% set message -%}
-      <p>{{ updated_member_name }}'s role  was successfully updated.</p>
+      <p>{{ member_name }}'s role  was successfully updated to {{ updated_role }}</p>
     {%- endset %}
 
   {{ Alert('Workspace role updated successfully',