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A Message From Melissa L. Rocco

Melissa L. Rocco she/her/hers Dr. Melissa L. Rocco is Senior Lecturer and Program Director for Higher Education & Student Affairs Administration at the University of Vermont. As a leadership educator and scholar, Dr. Rocco seeks to advance leadership perspectives beyond dominant cultural narratives through the exploration, development, and implementation of transformative pedagogy. Her research, teaching, and practice focus on leadership identity development, liberatory learning, and leadership educator preparation. Dr. Rocco’s professional contributions include roles as Faculty Director for the National Clearinghouse for Leadership Programs (NCLP), chairperson for Leadership Educators Symposium and Leadership Educators Institute, and representative to the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) in higher education. Her work has been published in the Journal of Leadership Studies, Journal of Leadership Education, New Directions for Student Leadership, and Journal of College Student Development. She is also a collaborating author on the National Leadership Education Research Agenda 2020-2025 and a contributor and reviewer for some of the most widely-used texts in leadership education. Dr. Rocco’s practitioner experience includes roles in co-curricular leadership programs, student activities, academic advising, and fraternity and sorority life. She holds a PhD in Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education Policy from the University of Maryland.
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In Support of ACPA Foundation

Founded in 1994 during the presidency of Charles Schroeder, the purpose of the ACPA Educational Leadership Foundation (501c3 non-profit organization) is “to enhance the student affairs profession and to generate and disseminate knowledge of college students at all levels within higher education” (Article Three of the Articles of Incorporation). The organization is now known as the ACPA Foundation to more concisely communicate its role as the fundraising arm of ACPA College Student Educators International.

The Mission - The ACPA Foundation exists to support the priorities and activities of ACPA by raising funds and developing resources that help the Association fulfill its mission. 

The Vision - The ACPA Foundation will develop sufficient assets to effectively and sustainably fund ACPA’s efforts to provide excellent professional development opportunities to members, advance knowledge in the field, and support the transformative effect of education in the lives of college students.

In order to fulfill its purpose and mission, the Foundation invites members and non-members alike to provide philanthropic support for ACPA's vital initiatives involving research, scholarship, professional development and leadership program.