Melba J. T. Vasquez

Career

Melba J. T. Vasquez attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University-San Marcos) and majored in English and political science. She was a middle school English and political science teacher before beginning a psychology career. She received a PhD in counseling psychology from The University of Texas in 1978, then worked at the university's counseling center. She taught psychology both at The University of Texas and at Colorado State University before moving into private practice. She has been in practice in Austin, Texas since 1991.

When Vasquez was elected president of the APA in 2011, she became the first Latina elected to the position. She had previously served as president of the Texas Psychological Association, the Society of Counseling Psychology (APA Division 17) and the Society for the Psychology of Women (APA Division 35). She cofounded the Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues (APA Division 45). She coauthored Ethics for Psychologists: A Commentary on the APA Ethics Code and four editions of Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide. Vazquez is a member of divisions 9 (Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues), 31 (Advocacy for Psychology), 44 (Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity), and 56 (Trauma Psychology). In 2007, Vasquez was recognized with the Alfred M. Wellner Senior Career Psychologist Award from the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. She was also recognized as a Distinguished Practitioner of Psychology in the National Academies of Practice. In 1999, Vasquez co-founded the National Multicultural Conference and Summit (NMCS) along with Gwendolyn P. Keita, Lilian Comas-Diaz, and Derald Wing Sue, which still is conducted-Most recently in Santa Fe, NM, 2024. The purpose of this conference is for various professionals in psychology to come together, and provide insights based on research and real-world experience. In 2017, Dr. Vasquez began serving as the Vice President of the American Psychological Foundation, and was appointed as President in 2024.As President she has helped launch initiatives, such as the Direct Action Initiative, that helps communities in need by increasing access to psychological science and expertise.