Salem State University’s Center for Civic Engagement inducted six new members into its hall of fame, including Marblehead resident Melissa Kaplowitch, at an annual event honoring inductees’ commitment to improving their communities.
The ceremony, held on Salem State University’s campus on April 25, followed an invite to the Salem State community to nominate individuals for five categories: alumni, faculty, staff/administration, undergraduate student, and graduate student.
Kaplowitch, the faculty recipient, is an assistant professor of psychology and program coordinator of the Master of Science in Counseling program at Salem State, where she has trained students to become licensed mental health counselors for the past 22 years.
Kaplowitch earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Northeastern University. Her clinical work emphasizes effective treatment for people who suffer from chronic mental illness.
Her areas of research have focused on examining diversity and contextual factors when diagnosing men and boys with anorexia nervosa and the effects of using a trauma-focused cognitive behavioral approach when treating victims of rape.
Kaplowitch serves as community representative to the Marblehead Mental Health Task Force and as an executive board member of the Boston Regional Anti-Defamation League. In 2016, she received the Edith Block Award from Combined Jewish Philanthropy for extraordinary leadership and contributions to women’s philanthropy and North Shore Jewish life. In 2017, Kaplowitch received the Salem State Distinguished Teaching award.
