2025 Lucero Scholar: Annabel Meleán

Born in Columbus, Ohio. BA in Political Science, and MPA in Public Administration from the University of Cincinnati.

Hola! My name is Annabel Meleán and it is an honor to be named the 2025 Lucero Scholar as I pursue a doctorate in Clinical Psychology. As I begin my next chapter at William James, I am led with purpose to work with other advocates and clinicians on making the possibility of Latinx families have improved access to culturally responsive mental health care. Throughout my professional and educational career, I have studied and worked with members of our communities committed to addressing systemic barriers that have disproportionately impacted underserved families. I received a BA in Political Science, followed by a Master’s in Public Administration with a focus in social policy from the University of Cincinnati. Through my work experience in legislative affairs and public policy in state government, I gained extensive knowledge in education, business and healthcare policies that impact everyday lives of families in Ohio. Understanding the realities of limited access to behavioral health care that many families face—and the urgent shortage of bilingual providers—solidified my path towards entering the mental health field. My professional goals are to provide psychotherapy treatments to adults with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and other related disorders from a culturally informed lens. As a proud second generation Venezolana, I aspire to carry forward Dr. Cynthia Lucero’s legacy by serving as both a clinician and as an advocate to build resilience and empowerment in both the individuals and communities I am committed to serving.

Entering Class of 2025 Clinical Psychology PsyD