Patricia Heindel, Ph.D.

Dr. Patricia (Trish) Heindel is a professor of psychology and Dean of the School of Professional Studies at Saint Elizabeth University (SEU). She is director of the University’s Center for Human and Social Development and the co-director of SEU’s School Culture and Climate Initiative with Elizabeth Warner. In addition, she and Maurice Elias, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Rutgers University, are co-directors of the Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools, an online professional learning community and certificate program in social-emotional learning and character development (www.selinschools.org).

Both the School Culture and Climate Initiative and the Academy for Social-Emotional learning in Schools have been recognized nationally for their exemplary work in supporting educators and schools. Under Trish’s leadership, the Center for Human and Social Development at SEU was a founding member of the New Jersey School Health and Climate Coalition. Trish serves on the leadership team of SEL4NJ, a statewide organization that is part of the national SEL4US network.

Trish sits on many regional and statewide committees including the New Jersey Department of Education Social Emotional Learning Standards Advisory Group, Health Impact Assessment of ESSA Rulemaking Advisory Group as well as the National Collaborative on Education and Health. She presents regionally and nationally on social-emotional learning, school culture and climate and the importance of data-informed school improvement planning.