Melissa L. Rocco

Melissa L. Rocco is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Vermont's College of Education and Social Services, where she also serves as Program Coordinator for Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration. Her work focuses on transformative leadership education, centering equity, justice, and identity in pedagogical practices.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education Policy, University of Maryland
  • M.A. in Higher Education & Student Affairs, The Ohio State University
  • B.S. in Business Administration, The Ohio State University

Dr. Rocco specializes in leadership education through liberatory pedagogy, emphasizing:

• Leadership identity and efficacy
• Critical self-reflection and resistance navigation
• Equity-centered curriculum design
• Organizational and social change frameworks

Her recent publications address expanding leadership development paradigms and integrating critical pedagogy into leadership training. Key awards include:

• Diamond Honoree (ACPA, 2024)
• Impact Fellow (The Aspen Institute, 2022-2023)
• SPARC and McEwen Research Awards (University of Maryland, 2016)
• Emerging Professional Award (The Ohio State University, 2013)

She has held leadership roles with the National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs and contributed to national standards in leadership education as a CAS representative. Her teaching includes courses on leadership identity, data literacy for change, and practicum experiences in higher education administration.