Dr. Mackesy has worked for over 20 years in various higher education institutions as both a practitioner and administrator, focused on programs and services that support student success. Areas of expertise include: Academic Advising, Career Development, Disability Services and practices of inclusion, Academic Success/Support Programs, Orientation and First Year Experience, as well as strategic leadership and administration of student-centered services and initiatives.
Current research interests includes social-emotional learning, non-cognitive factors involved in individual and school performance, mindset, individual and collective self-efficacy, academic perseverance, and diversity/social justice/equity work. She lives in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. with her four children.