MELISSA "MISSY" TERLECKI, PHD
Dean, School of Professional & Applied Psychology
Professor
Melissa “Missy” Terlecki, PhD, was appointed dean of the School of Professional and
Applied Psychology in July of 2024. Dr. Terlecki brings a wealth of experience and
dynamic leadership to this role, with a deep-rooted passion for psychology and higher
education administration. As dean, she will oversee the recruitment, management, and
retention of faculty and staff, guide the academic progress of all students within
the school, and manage the school’s budget.
Dr. Terlecki joins PCOM from Cabrini University, where she served as associate dean
for the School of Arts and Sciences. Over nearly two decades at Cabrini, she held
multiple leadership roles, including Co-Director of the Nerney Leadership Institute
and Chair of the Psychology Department. Her teaching repertoire includes courses such
as Gender and Identity, Research Methods, Environmental Psychology, and History of
Mental Health. She earned her doctoral degree in cognitive psychology with a specialization
in neuroscience from Temple University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from
the College of New Jersey.
Education
- PhD in cognitive psychology with a specialization in neuroscience, Temple University
- BA in psychology, College of New Jersey
Awards
- Harry Kirke Wolfe Distinguished Lecturer, 2020
- Distinguished Faculty Award for Internal Service at Cabrini University, 2018
- Charles R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching, 2017
Memberships
- American Psychological Association
- Association of American Colleges and Universities
- Eastern Psychological Association
- Commission on Cognitive Issues in Geographic Information Visualization (CogVis)