Melba Vasquez

Born: 1951 in San Marcos, Texas
Died: Still living

Education and Work

She received her Bachelor’s degree in English and Political Science along with a certification to teach from Southwest Texas State University.
While working on her Master’s in school counseling, she taught English and Political Science in a middle school in Texas.
In 1978, she completed her doctoral studies in counseling psychology at the University of Texas in Austin.
After graduating, she became one of the psychologists at UT Austin’s counseling center.
At the same institution, she directed the internship training program.
She taught in the counseling psychology doctoral program at Colorado State University.
Over a decade after, she decided to hold her own private practice while still maintaining an active role in her previous endeavors

She was one of the first recipients of the APA’s minority fellowship.
She served as president of the Texas Psychological Association, the 17th and 35th Divisions of the APA.
She co-founded the APA Division 45 (the society for the psychological study of ethnic minorities).
In 2011 she was elected as president of the APA, making her the first Latina APA president.
She currently serves on the APA board of Directors.