Home
Dr. Michele Nealon
Advancing integrated health, higher education leadership, and workforce innovation.
- Thought Leader
- Higher Education Executive
- National Speaker
Committed to Access,
Equity & Impact
Dr. Michele Nealon’s distinguished career reflects her dedication to ensuring that underserved populations receive the care they need and deserve. In addition to being president of The Chicago School for the past 15 years, she is a licensed clinical psychologist with clinical experience in a variety of settings with diverse groups of people, including inpatient, outpatient, community mental health, and forensic settings.
Dr. Nealon began her career in psychology in Ireland, before emigrating to the United States in 1994 to earn her doctorate from The Chicago School….
—where she assumed multiple leadership roles culminating in the university presidency. A recognized thought leader and advocate for accessible higher education, she actively contributes to national conversations on education, mental health, and nonprofit leadership through her involvement with the American Council on Education (ACE), the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), the Forbes Council, among others.
- Integrated Health & Mental Health
- Higher Education Strategy & Innovation
- Workforce Development & Policy
- Access & Community Impact
- Organizational Leadership & Systems Change
15
Years as President
Selected Publications
The Mental Health Economy: Why Well-Being At Work Is A Workforce And Economic Imperative
Spotlight 2026: Overview and Trends for Higher Education
Behind the Lessons Every Higher-Ed Leader Must Know About Transformation
The Hidden Cost of Fragmented Care—And Why Integrated Care Is The Cure
Engagement
Topics
- Integrated health and the future of care
- Higher education leadership in times of change
- Mental health workforce development
- Policy, access, and innovation in education
Highlights
Keynotes & Panels
National summits and state-level convenings on mental health, higher education policy, and workforce development
USHLI
U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute — featured speaker on access and educational equity
NALEO · Illinois Latino Caucus
Luncheon speaker on policy, access, and innovation in higher education
Social Presence
Follow the latest professional updates and thought leadership.
LinkedIn
Let’s Connect
For speaking engagements, media inquiries, or professional collaboration.