eSciRes

Dr. Melissa K. McCollister

University : Indiana State University

Country : USA

Research Interest : LGBTQ+ and racial and social justice community capacity building and organizing, Emotional intelligence and Trauma-informed practice

Bio :

Dr. Melissa K. McCollister is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at Indiana State University (ISU). She has been an activist in the LGBTQ+ community for over 22 years and implemented the first LGBTQ+ youth program in Akron, Ohio. Additionally, she was a faculty liaison for students placed at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center of Greater Cleveland. She has served on multiple racial and social justice initiatives in the community as well as the Summit County LGBTQ+ task force. In her role at Indiana State University, she has collaborated with the local community to create LGBTQ+ safe zone training with three undergraduate students completing an internship in partnership with the university’s Multi-Cultural Center. She teaches macro social work courses, human behavior, and child and family practice. Her primary social work practice and research interest areas include LGBTQ+ and racial and social justice community capacity building and organizing, emotional intelligence, and trauma-informed practice. She is also serving in the community on the Pride Center of Terre Haute Board as the Executive Director.