NLI Directors

Nerney Leadership Institute Co-Directors

Melissa Terlecki, PhD
Co-Director, Nerney Leadership Institute
Chair and Professor, Psychology

Melissa Terlecki, PhD, earned her doctoral degree in Cognitive Psychology with a specialization in Neuroscience from Temple University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from The College of New Jersey. Dr. Terlecki joined Cabrini in 2005 and has worked on leadership initiatives for the past 15 years. In 2020, she joined the Nerney Leadership Institute (NLI) alongside Dr. Anne Filippone as a Co-Director. Dr. Terlecki’s area of interest is metacognition and self-awareness. She contributed to the first-year experience curriculum at Cabrini and teaches metacognition as part of the leadership minor. Finally, Dr. Terlecki offers faculty workshops on metacognitive pedagogy and works as a subject matter expert for NLI’s micro-credentials. Her research, teaching, and advocacy triangulate around self-leadership.

Anne Filippone, PhD
Co-Director, Nerney Leadership Institute
Dean, Student Engagement & Leadership

Anne Filippone, PhD, recently completed her doctoral degree in Cabrini University's Organizational Development program. Dr. Filippone earned her Master of Science in Student Personnel Administration from the State University of New York, College at Buffalo, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Shippensburg University. In 2005, she joined Cabrini University and has worked in Student Life for the past 15 years, where she has focused on student leadership, engagement, and success initiatives. In 2020, she was named Co-Director of the Nerney Leadership Institute (NLI), alongside long-time colleague, Dr. Melissa Terlecki. In this role, she works to advance leadership at Cabrini in both the curriculum and co-curriculum through the development of collaborative partnerships across campus. Dr. Filippone works closely with students to build their leadership potential through self-awareness, group development, and community service and engagement.