Five-time Outstanding Professor Award recipient Melinda Blackman built a legacy as a dedicated professor of psychology who mentored hundreds of students and colleagues with unwavering compassion, shaping the lives of generations of Titans. Blackman, professor of psychology and accomplished educator, died on July 10, 2026.
Blackman’s death was deeply felt throughout the Department of Psychology. Eriko Self, professor of psychology and former chair of the department, captured what so many colleagues were feeling.
“I still can’t believe Melinda is no longer with us. ‘She went too soon’ is an understatement. I think many of us are still processing this incredibly sad fact,” Self said.
Blackman was, first and foremost, a master teacher. She was one of the most dedicated and accomplished teachers and mentors in the department’s history.
In addition to winning the Outstanding Professor Award five times, Blackman earned the Carol Barnes Excellence in Teaching Award and the Western Psychological Association’s Outstanding Teaching Award.
Her commitment to students extended far beyond the classroom. Blackman mentored countless graduate and undergraduate students and served on more than 100 thesis committees. She also mentored students through the Honors Program and the McNair Scholars Program. McNair Scholar Michelle Gomez reflected on Blackman’s mentorship.
“It has been such a great learning experience. This is my first research project and my first time working with a faculty mentor. She is so approachable, friendly, knowledgeable, flexible and helpful — all the characteristics one could want in a mentor,” Gomez said.
Blackman also worked tirelessly to improve students’ educational experiences at the structural level. She chaired the Department of Psychology until her cancer diagnosis and led the graduate program for more than 12 years. For two decades, she worked to facilitate student internships through the Internship Committee.
She organized the Western Psychological Association conference at Cal State Long Beach and authored an instructor’s manual for one of the most prominent social psychology textbooks, Elliot Aronson’s “The Social Animal.” Reflecting on some of the work that was most meaningful to her, Blackman wrote:
“I saw great interest from our students in the topic of autism. I decided to create a course on the topic and teach it. The course is titled Autism Spectrum Disorders, and I taught it this past summer. The course was very well received by students from a variety of majors.”
Blackman joined Cal State Fullerton after completing her doctorate at UC Riverside. She was an expert in industrial-organizational psychology and a nationally recognized authority on the employment interview process. Her research on the theory and practice of employment interviews appeared in journals, including the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology and the Journal of Research in Personality, as well as in popular media such as CNN.
In recent years, she also translated psychological science into accessible books focused on improving dietary adherence and was featured in local media, including the Orange County Register.
“What I’ll remember most is Melinda’s unfailing kindness, her support and encouragement of fellow faculty, and her willingness to give her time — both before and during her illness — by taking on challenging department leadership roles,” said Christy Scher, professor of psychology.
Blackman’s warmth was a quality echoed by colleagues throughout the department. Jewel Lee, assistant professor of psychology, reflected on Blackman’s mentorship.
“Melinda was kind, warm and genuinely caring. Even in our brief time together, she became a cherished mentor and role model. Her loss is still felt deeply. I hope to honor her legacy by offering the same kindness, generosity and warmth she showed me,” Lee said.
Blackman’s generosity toward her colleagues was a defining part of who she was. Yuko Okado, professor of psychology, shared two experiences that illustrate the profound impact of Blackman’s kindness and solidarity.
“There are a couple of times when Melinda had lit a path for me that I deeply appreciated. When I was in a pinch due to an upcoming maternity leave that coincided with a thesis student needing to graduate the same semester, Melinda took over my thesis student’s supervision without any hesitation, telling me she ‘got it’ and not to worry — a generous act, and one of such understanding and solidarity, that helped two people at once.
“Another time, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was trying to study college students’ psychosocial and academic adaptation to the pandemic but was having trouble securing funding to conduct this research. Things were changing fast, and I wanted to capture students’ experiences as soon as possible. In her position as department chair, Melinda secured departmental funding for this research. Thanks to Melinda, we have data that captures an important time in history and sheds light on how best to support college students during a period of rapid change,” Okado said.
Blackman’s legacy lives on in her compassion and generosity. Jennifer Trevitt, professor and chair of psychology, reflected on Blackman’s spirit.
“When I think of Melinda, I am reminded of a poem, ‘The Laughing Heart.’ Melinda truly had a laughing heart, and she shared that gift with everyone she met,” Trevitt said.
Blackman’s life was rich with professional achievements and with relationships she cherished beyond the university. She was a competitive sailor and volunteered as a therapeutic riding instructor at the Back Bay Therapeutic Riding Club.
She is survived by her beloved children, Grace and Jack; her mother, Marcia; her sister, Sarah, and brother-in-law, Jeff; her niece, Maddie; and her nephews, Caden, Ethan and Charlie.
She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.