Melissa Holt
Scholarly Accomplishments September 2025
BU Wheelock presents the following faculty publications, presentations, and awards for September 2025. Awards Anthony Abraham Jack 2025 Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY) Gold Medal for Current Events I (Political/Economic/Foreign Affairs) for Class Dismissed: When Colleges Ignore Inequality and Students Pay the Price Elena Forzani Albert J. Harris award from the International Literacy Association for the […]
Shifting the Narrative on Middle School Youth
It’s a stage of adolescent development that’s marked by rapid change and challenges. Youth ages 10 to 15 are often overlooked in conversations about education and development. But it’s a time that’s also rich with potential for growth, identity formation, and resilience. The 2025 BU Wheelock Forum—Thriving in the Middle School Years—explored issues related to […]
Three Faculty Members Promoted to Full Professor
Three BU Wheelock faculty members were recently promoted to full professor. Kimberly Howard, Melissa Holt, and Yasuko Kanno represent the Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development and Language & Literacy Education programs at BU Wheelock. Melissa Holt, Counseling Psychology & Applied Human Development Melissa Holt is a counseling psychologist whose work focuses on the experiences […]
Promoting Strength and Resilience among Transgender and Nonbinary Adolescents
In a webinar on October 28, “Elevating the Voices of Transgender and Nonbinary Adolescents: Promoting Strength and Resilience,” BU Wheelock faculty members Melissa Holt and Jennifer Greif Green and doctoral student Aidan Kraus shared their findings from a study of how transgender and nonbinary youth can remain strong and resilient in the face of systemic […]
Why Do Teens From Marginalized Populations Get Bullied?
One in four ninth graders report being harassed at school for their gender identity, religion, immigration status, sexual orientation, or race and ethnicity. These reported rates are even higher for youth with multiple marginalized identities. “Although all forms of victimization are associated with adverse outcomes, there are particularly pronounced effects on well-being for targets of […]
How a Sense of Belonging in Schools Supports Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth
Many adolescents struggle with a sense of belonging during middle and high school years, but these challenges are often exacerbated for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth. TGD youth face higher rates of bullying and are more like to experience mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. A new study, “Associations Between School-Related Factors […]
Stopping Bias-Based Harassment of Adolescents
As bias-based harassment rises across the United States, adolescents, especially those with marginalized identities, are increasingly being targeted because of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation. The negative impact on their well-being can be devastating. Melissa Holt, BU Wheelock associate professor of counseling psychology, was recently awarded a National Institute of Justice grant […]
BU Wheelock Announces Fall Faculty Award Winners
Five BU Wheelock faculty members were recently honored for their scholarly contributions and excellence. Edward H. Ladd Award for Academic Excellence & Service: Amie Grills Amie Grills, associate dean of faculty affairs & research, and professor of counseling psychology & applied human development, received the Edward H. Ladd Award for Academic Excellence and Service, which […]