Northern Illinois University
Department of Counseling and Higher Education
College of Education

Melissa Fickling
Associate Professor

Department

Counseling and Higher Education (CAHE)

Melissa J. Fickling, Ph.D joined the NIU faculty in 2017. Her primary research interests are focused on the intersections of work, mental health and meaning. She also does research in the areas of clinical supervision and career counseling.

Fickling has practiced professional counseling in higher education, community and private practice settings and is a licensed clinical professional counselor in Illinois. She is a member of the editorial review board for the Journal of College Counseling. Fickling was the 2016-2017 Edwin L. Herr fellow for Chi Sigma Iota and 2020 recipient of the National Career Development Association's Diversity Initiatives Award.

Research Interests

• Adult career transition
• Grief and loss
• Identity and spiritual issues

Education

• Ph.D., Counseling and Counselor Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• M.A., Counseling, Roosevelt University
• B.A., University of North Texas

Honors Faculty Fellow (2022-2023)

As an Honors Faculty Fellow, Professor Fickling will teach a seminar on Work, Meaning, and Wellness in fall 2022 in the University Honors Program. The Honors Faculty Fellowship program identifies faculty eager to teach innovative, exciting seminars of interest to highly-motivated students from across the university.