ATHERTON, Calif. — Menlo College announced that Melissa R. Michelson, Ph.D., Interim Chief Academic Officer, Dean of Arts & Sciences, and Professor of Political Science, has received the Latino Caucus Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting in Boston. The award recognizes senior scholars who have made significant and substantial contributions to the Latina/o/x politics, and the broader discipline of political science, and the communities their scholarship serves.
Michelson is only the second woman to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, adding to a career distinguished by groundbreaking political science research and a longstanding commitment to mentoring the next generation of scholars.
“Receiving this award from the Latino Caucus is especially meaningful because this community has been such an important part of my professional journey,” Michelson said. “I’m proud of the scholarship I’ve contributed to the field, but just as meaningful has been the opportunity to mentor and support the next generation of scholars. Watching them grow, succeed, and help shape the future of political science has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.”
Three Decades of Influential Scholarship
A nationally recognized expert on Latino politics and voter mobilization, Michelson has spent more than three decades examining political participation, public opinion, political trust, political efficacy, and the experiences of historically underrepresented communities.
Among her most influential contributions was the first randomized controlled trial designed to increase voter turnout in a Latino community in 2002. The research helped establish a new area of study focused on using field experiments to understand and improve voter participation.
Michelson subsequently conducted hundreds of get-out-the-vote randomized controlled trials and co-authored Mobilizing Inclusion: Transforming the Electorate Through Get-Out-the-Vote Campaigns with Lisa García Bedolla. The book received both the American Political Science Association’s Ralph J. Bunche Award and its Best Book Award in the field of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics in 2013.
Over the course of her career, Michelson has authored or co-authored eight books and dozens of peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Her research has appeared in leading academic publications, including the American Political Science Review, Aztlán, and International Migration Review. Her work has also included collaborations with organizations including the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, and the Central American Resource Center.
A Career Dedicated to Mentorship and Service
The Lifetime Achievement Award also recognizes Michelson’s extensive service to the political science profession and her commitment to supporting emerging scholars.
Michelson served two terms as president of the APSA Latino Caucus and has held leadership roles within the organization dating back more than two decades. She also helped establish the Latino Caucus of the Midwest Political Science Association.
In 2013, Michelson co-launched the Women of Color in Political Science workshops, an initiative designed to support cohorts of emerging and mid-career scholars while addressing challenges faced by women of color in academia. Her mentorship has continued through individual relationships and research collaborations with junior scholars across the country.
Her commitment to mentorship has previously earned her the APSA Adaljiza Sosa-Riddell Award for Exemplary Mentoring of Latino/a Junior Faculty in Political Science in 2011 and the same award for Exemplary Mentoring of Graduate Latino/a Students in Political Science in 2017. She also received the Midwest Political Science Association Latino Caucus Distinguished Career Award in 2019 and APSA’s Distinguished Award for Civic and Community Engagement in 2022.
Bringing Scholarship and Leadership to Menlo College
At Menlo College, Michelson brings that same commitment to scholarship, mentorship, and civic engagement to her work with students and faculty. In addition to serving as Interim Chief Academic Officer and Dean of Arts & Sciences, she teaches political science and has led initiatives designed to expand student participation in research, civic life, and academic decision-making.
“Dr. Michelson’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a career that has advanced the field and expanded opportunity for others,” said Menlo College President Steven Weiner. “At Menlo, we see that impact every day through the way she elevates scholarship, strengthens our academic community and creates opportunities for students to learn, lead, and grow as Future Ready Now graduates.”
Michelson also had a leading role in the development of Menlo College’s Latino Leadership Program, which builds on the College’s longstanding Latino-focused coursework and mentorship while preparing students to become leaders in their communities and careers. Menlo College has been federally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) since 2019 – an institutional strength that reflects the College’s commitment to creating pathways for student success through rigorous academics, mentorship, and applied learning.
Her recognition by the Latino Caucus reflects the impact of a career that connects research with action and mentorship with opportunity. At Menlo, that approach supports the College’s commitment to preparing students to be Future Ready Now, giving them opportunities to learn from accomplished scholars while developing the knowledge, critical-thinking skills, and leadership experience to make meaningful contributions in their careers and communities.
Media inquiries: pr@menlo.edu
About Menlo College
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Menlo College is a small, residential liberal arts and business college dedicated to preparing students to be Future Ready Now. Through a highly personalized educational experience that combines rigorous academics, applied learning, mentorship, and direct access to one of the world’s most innovative economies, Menlo College helps students convert education into measurable career and life outcomes. For more information, please visit our website or contact pr@menlo.edu
