Melissa Sturge-Apple ’92 has assumed the permanent role of dean of the Warner School.
(ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ photo / J. Adam Fenster)
Melissa Sturge-Apple ’92, an accomplished scholar and experienced academic leader, began her permanent role as dean of the Warner School of Education and Human Development on January 1, 2026. She previously served as Warner’s interim dean since July 1, 2024, guiding the school through a period of transition while building strategic priorities.
She joined the faculty at the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ in 2008, and her research has focused on understanding family functioning and parenting in families experiencing elevated risk and trauma. During her tenure at Rochester, she has held leadership roles focusing on graduate education, most recently as the vice provost and dean of graduate education from 2019-24, where she oversaw academic policies, procedures, and the quality of graduate education across URochester.
Earlier in her career, she worked as a middle and high school counselor for six years. A URochester alumna, Sturge-Apple earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and economics and holds a PhD in developmental psychology from Notre Dame.
Learn more about Dean Sturge-Apple, her vision for the Warner School’s future, and new and exciting opportunities within the School and University in this exclusive Q&A.
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You have served in a dean role for the University for eight years, first as dean in graduate education and most recently as Warner's interim dean. What skills did you learn and acquire from these positions that will be especially helpful as dean?
As vice provost and graduate dean, my work focused on graduate student education specifically, and I developed a deep understanding of and keen appreciation for the unique strengths and key challenges in this arena across schools and disciplines. As both a faculty member and an administrator, I’ve worked to identify strategic priorities, uncover new revenue and funding opportunities, and support student success through data-informed, evidence-based decisions. Just as important, I’ve seen firsthand how much the interpersonal side of leadership matters. Building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, creating consensus, and developing proactive partnerships have been central to how I approach my work.
What drew you to Warner?
At Warner, I see an incredible passion and devotion to the impact that educators and education can have on changing lives and advancing research, policy and knowledge on the human condition. This resonates strongly with me and my own trajectory. After graduating from the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ in 1992 with my bachelor’s in psychology and economics, I took my first graduate course at the Warner School on child development. I continued my academic journey to earn my MEd in prevention science from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Subsequently, I worked as a school counselor for several years with students and families experiencing trauma and risk. These experiences drove me to return to graduate school and pursue my doctoral degree in psychology.
What are you looking forward to most about the position?
During my time as Warner's interim dean, I had the chance to see firsthand what makes this community special — we are a school of scholars, educators, and students who are deeply committed to improving lives through education and well-being. I am honored to serve as dean and to continue working alongside talented colleagues who are expanding opportunity and advancing excellence in schools and communities, locally and globally. Together, we’ll keep preparing the next generation of educators and leaders who can transform systems, support the holistic development of children and families, and generate research that meaningfully informs practice and policy.
What opportunities do you foresee to build upon and strengthen Warner’s connections and collaborations with other departments/disciplines across the University?
First off, Warner faculty have already made some great connections! Nestor Tulagan’s joint appointment in human development at the Warner School and with the University’s School of Arts and Sciences in Psychology is one good example. There are some other new natural connections to be made with other departments across campus—nursing, medical education, music, and pediatrics, to name a few. I hope to help Warner build upon and expand many of these connections to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations across departments and schools that lead to new research opportunities, knowledge sharing, and real-world impact.
What challenges and opportunities are you most looking forward to tackling?
I’m excited to dig into some of the immediate challenges and opportunities ahead of us, including faculty searches, student success initiatives, research initiatives, and strategic planning with the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ. Just as important, though, I am eager to hear from the Warner community what you see as the most significant challenges and most promising opportunities.
What do you believe are the most essential qualities of an effective leader in higher education?
I believe people enter administration with the aspiration to make an impact and leave the place better than they found it. That has been my north star as an administrator. I’ve learned much over the past eight years as an administrator from my interactions with faculty, staff and students across committees and working groups. I am inspired by their commitment to making Rochester ‘ever better.’ I take comfort in my successes, but more importantly, I have learned from some of my mistakes. Lessons learned include the necessity of patience, the checking of the ego, the importance of data-driven decisions, and the criticality of building consensus among stakeholders and colleagues. These lessons are guideposts for me that I try to follow daily in my administrative work and in my interactions with my colleagues and students.
How do you balance administrative responsibilities with your research and teaching commitments?
Balancing administrative responsibilities with research and teaching commitments isn’t always easy, but I approach it with focus and intention. I try to stay organized, set clear and realistic goals, and build in flexibility for the unexpected! At the end of the day, it’s about being fully present and making sure that I show up as a thoughtful administrator, an engaged researcher, and a committed educator.
What else would you like to share about yourself with the Warner School community? Do you have any special interests or hobbies outside of academia?
When I’m not with my academic family, I love spending time with my own family. My husband retired after 23 wonderful years as the men’s soccer coach at the ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ, and I’m incredibly proud of the impact he made. I’m also lucky to be the mom to two wonderful young men, Kellen and Braedon, an undergraduate at Rochester. Whenever possible, we love cooking, exploring new places, or cheering on the Buffalo Bills.
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Join Dean Sturge-Apple and Anika Simone Johnson (Dr. J.) for engaging Chat & Chew events on March 11, March 25, April 8, and April 22 from 4–5 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Student Lounge. These informal gatherings offer a great opportunity to connect, share ideas, and enjoy meaningful conversation in a relaxed setting. Light refreshments will be provided.