Mentorship plays a significant role in empowering young people to contribute to a more equitable society that enhances human flourishing.

Dr. Saleeby (she/her) is a Full Professor and Department Chair in Sociology, Criminology, and Social Work at Bradley University who has dedicated her professional career to enhancing the quality of life of persons with disabilities locally, nationally, and globally.

Her academic research lab focuses on improving health, functioning and environment using a capability perspective. Projects include an equity component involving key stakeholders as well as targeted outcomes to make a difference in populations and communities. Having a sister with Down’s Syndrome and being diagnosed herself with a disabling heart condition as a teenager, she incorporates lived experiences throughout her teaching and research.

Among her multiple appointments, Patricia serves as the Co-Chair of the Functioning and Disability Reference Group (FDRG) and a member of the Education and Implementation Committee for the WHO Family of International Classifications, or WHOFIC. She is the classification content expert for the PACIO or Post-Acute Care Interoperability Project sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and participates in the GRAVITY Social Determinants of Health Working Collaborative. She is also a member of the International Advisory Board at the Columbia-WHO Center for Global Mental Health.

Patricia is currently serving her second term on the Illinois Board of Higher Education’s Faculty Advisory Council. She has led projects in the area of mental health in higher education. She was named an IBHE Faculty Fellowship recipient, conducting a state-wide project that examined accessibility issues and disability resources on college campuses for students with disabilities.

She has mentored numerous students through her participation in programs like the National Youth Science Camp, Frontiers for Young Minds Science Mentor Program, McNair Scholars Program, CSWE Minority Fellowship Program, Paraquad Center for Independent Living, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, Junior League of St. Louis, and Ladue Schools Parent Association.

Patricia has been honored by multiple organizations including the American Parkinson Disease Association, American Public Health Association, The Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, Barnes Jewish Hospital Auxiliary, Council on Social Work Education, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, and the National Association of Social Work.

She earned her PhD in Social Work from Washington University completing her dissertation on the intersections of disability and poverty using a capability approach. She holds a MSSA in Social Administration from the Mandel School at Case Western Reserve University and a BA in Biology from Oberlin College.