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Kelly Melekis

Associate Professor

Office:  Tisch Learning Center #221
Telephone:  (518) 580-5451
Email: kmelekis@skidmore.edu 
Pronouns: she/her/hers

Curriculum Vitae

Education

• PhD, Sociology and Social Work,  Boston University School of Social Work, 2012
• MSW, Gerontology Specialization, University of California, Berkeley School of Social Welfare, 2001        
• BSW, Gerontology Minor and Certificate, University of Vermont, College of Education and Social Services, 1998

As a gerontological social worker, Dr. Melekis’ scholarship focuses on 1) the health and well-being of vulnerable and oppressed older adults, particularly in terms of homelessness, housing, and social environment, and 2) the education and training of social workers, especially in terms of interprofessional practice in health and aging.  Underlying the substantive content of her research are methodological considerations rooted in social justice and a commitment to including the voices and perspectives of marginalized populations and those who serve them, thereby providing a comprehensive sense of what works, for whom, and in what ways.  She conducts primarily community-based research, with an emphasis on collaborative, participatory methods.  Her work contributes to improved policy, program development, and effective interprofessional practice.

Dr. Melekis teaches courses on social work practice, research methods, and death, dying and bereavement. She has practiced as a clinical social worker in geriatric mental health and substance use, and taught social work practice, policy and research at Boston University, University of Hawaii, and University of Vermont.    She is a professional member of the Gerontological Society of America, American Society on Aging, Council on Social Work Education, and the Global Partnership for Transformative Social Work. In addition to precious time singing, dancing, laughing and cooking yummy vegetarian food with her family, she loves hiking, reading memoirs, live music, the original Star Trek series, and maple lattes.

Courses

• SW 214:  Death and Dying
• SW 241:  Research Methods for Social Justice
• SW 253:  Human Behavior in the Social Environment
• SW 333:  Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families
• SW 334:  Social Work Practice with Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Selected Publications

• Melekis, K., & Gonyea, J. G. (2020).  Identity narration and negotiation among older adults experiencing homelessness. Journal of Aging and Environment.
• Kaup, M., Gonyea, J. G., & Melekis, K.  (2019). Older persons experiencing homelessness:  Their perceptions and needs influencing supportive interior design and architecture.
• van Eeghen, C., Hitt, J., King, J.G., Okech, J.E., Rouleau, B., Melekis, K., Kessler, R., Pinckney, R. (2019).  An interprofessional education pilot program on Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) improves student knowledge, skills, and attitudes. International Journal of Higher Education, 8, 119-132.  
• Weisse, C., Melekis, K., & Hutchins, B. (2019). Providing end of life care:  Increased empathy and self-efficacy among student caregivers in residential homes for the dying. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
• Staton, S., Melekis, K., & McCarthy, P.  (2018).  A review of Collegiate Recovery Communities and recommendations for implementation on a small residential campus. Innovative Higher Education, 43(6). 
• Gonyea, J. G., & Melekis, K. (2018). Women's housing challenges in later life: The importance of a gender lens. Generations, 41(4), 45-53. Available at: 
• Schooler, J., Wood, V. F., Fong, R., Melekis, K., Joyal, B. A., Shuma, C. R., et al.  (2018). The continuing journey of children and families:  An informational guide for those parenting by adoption or guardianship. Available at: 
• Melekis, K.  (2017).  Self-neglect:  A statewide assessment in Vermont.  In M. R. Day, G. McCarthy, and J. J. Fitzpatrick (Eds.).  Self-neglect in older adults: A global, evidence-based resource for nurses and other healthcare providers. New York, NY: Springer.
• Gonyea, J. G., Curley, A., Melekis, K., Levine, N., & Lee, Y.  (2017).  Perceptions of neighborhood safety and depressive symptoms among older minority urban subsidized housing residents:  The mediating effect of sense of community belonging. Aging & Mental Health, 1-6.
• Prelock, P. A., Melvin, C., Lemieux, N., Melekis, K., Velleman, S., Favro, M. A. (2017).  One team-patient, family, and health care providers:  An interprofessional education activity providing collaborative and palliative care. Seminars in Speech and Language, 38(5), 350-359.
• Gonyea, J. G., & Melekis, K.  (2017).  Older homeless women’s identity negotiation:  Agency, resistance, and the construction of a valued self. The Sociological Review, 65(1), 67-82.
• Melekis, K.  (2017).  Caring for a parent in their final chapter:  Unique and universal lessons from one ‘father-daughter’ dance. The Gerontologist, 57(2), 385-386. 
• Gonyea, J. G., Curley, A., Melekis, K., Levine, N., & Lee, Y.  (2016).  Loneliness and depression among older adults in urban subsidized housing. Journal of Aging and Health, 30(3), 458-474.  First Published Online December 20, 2016
• Melekis, K.  & Woodhouse, V.  (2015). Transforming social work curricula: Institutional supports for promoting sustainability.  Social Work Education: The International Journal, 34(5), 575-587.
• Melekis, K.  & Sanders, E. (2015). Vermont. In M. A. Odekon (Ed.). Encyclopedia of World Poverty (2nd ed.) (pp. 1629-1630).  Sage Publications.
• Henwood, B. F., Melekis, K., & Stefancic, A.  2014). Introducing housing first within a rural service system: A multi-stakeholder perspective. Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice. Special issue on Transformative Change in Community Mental Health, 5(1), 1-13. 
• Strolin, J., Sisselman, A., Melekis, K., Auerbach, C. (2014).  Understanding the relationship between school-based health center use, school connection and academic performance.  Health & Social Work, 39(2), 83-91. 
• Mills-Dick, K.  & Hull, J. M. (2011) Collaborative research:  Empowering students and connecting to community. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 17(4), 381-387.
• Gonyea, J. G., Mills-Dick, K., Bachman, S. S. (2010). The complexities of elder homelessness: A shifting political landscape and emerging community responses. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 53(7), 575-590. 
• Mills-Dick, K. (2007). Working with homeless older adults: An impetus for hope and change. In L. M. Grobman and D. B. Bourassa (Eds.), Days in the Lives of Gerontological Social Workers (pp. 189-195). Harrisburg, PA: White Hat Comm.