Melissa R. Herman

Melissa R. Herman is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College, with an adjunct appointment in Public Policy, Government, and Education. Her research focuses on multiracial youth identity development, affirmative action, education policy, and racial perceptions. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Stanford University (1998) and has taught courses on group behavior, social psychology, and writing in the social sciences.

Her work explores how multiracial identities influence academic achievement, mental health, and social relationships. Notable projects include examining physicians' perceptions of multiracial adolescents and attitudes toward interracial relationships. She has held roles such as Interim Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students and contributed to initiatives like the Minority Student Achievement Network. International collaborations include Fulbright teaching in Moldova and research at Berlin’s Wissenschaftszentrum.

Herman’s publications span topics like multiracial classification methods, racial perceptions in healthcare, and academic achievement gaps. She has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students, focusing on thesis mentorship and interdisciplinary research. Her service includes leadership in education equity and roles on professional councils like the American Sociological Association’s Children and Youth section.