Group of people standing next to each other, while a women in the middle holds an award.
May. 16, 2024

We are thrilled to announce Michelle Zochowski-Tullio as the recipient of the 2024 School Psychology Alum of the Year award. Michelle's outstanding contributions to the field of psychology, her unwavering dedication to education and the UNLV community make her an exemplary choice for this honor.

Michelle is a Rebel through and through. She completed her double major B.A. in psychology and criminal justice ‘14, followed by a M.S. in educational psychology ‘15. She has been steadfast in her academic pursuits at UNLV, also earning her Ph.D. in 2020 from the College of Education.

Throughout her academic career, Michelle distinguished herself as a dedicated scholar and clinician. She served as an intern, practicum student, and postdoctoral fellow at the UNLV Medicine Ackerman Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment Solutions and the UNLV Partnership for Research, Assessment, Counseling, Therapy, and Innovative Clinical Education (PRACTICE). 

In 2022, Michelle returned to UNLV as a part-time instructor, sharing her wealth of knowledge and clinical experience with the next generation of school psychologists. According to her peers, “her previous experience as a graduate teaching assistant now helps her as an instructor for assessment courses.”  

Michelle currently serves as the clinical director at Ellie Mental Health of Las Vegas, where she continues to make an impact on the lives of her clients. As a licensed psychologist, specializing in autism assessment, Michelle further extends her impact to accommodate the unique needs of neurodiverse populations within special education and broader school systems.

Katherine Lee, Michelle's colleague at UNLV, nominated her for this esteemed award, "Michelle has been an invaluable addition to our training program since she is an excellent clinician.” Despite her recent graduation from the program, Michelle's commitment to College of Education students is unwavering, as she is also serving as a visiting professor and supervisor.

We congratulate Michelle on this well-deserved award and thank her for her ongoing commitment to the field of school psychology. 

About the Award

The UNLV School Psychology Alumni of the Year award recognizes graduates of the school psychology program (Ed.S. or Ph.D.). The award is given to an alumnus/a who has demonstrated a history of outstanding service to the field, program, UNLV, and/or the community in which they reside. Celebrating alumni is paramount as they continue contributing significantly to the community after their education. In addition, their achievements serve as a source of inspiration for the present and future generations.