Melahat Akdemir earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Penn State Harrisburg, graduating with honors. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania.
As an undergraduate, Melahat was recognized with the 2025 Criminal Justice Community Service Award for her exceptional academic performance, leadership, and dedication to public service. Alongside her studies, she worked as an Emergency Medical Technician for Penn State Health, gaining critical first-responder experience in high-pressure environments.
Her research interests center on the intersection of policing, mental health, and positive psychology. Her undergraduate thesis project, “Positive psychology in policing: Mental and physical wellness among Pennsylvania police,” examined stress, PTSD, and resilience among 334 Pennsylvania officers using the PERMA-H well-being framework and was published in Policing: An international Journal.
Dedicated to community engagement, Melahat has volunteered as a youth mentor with Hill Academy and taught English as a Second Language to Turkish refugees, blending her passion for education with cross-cultural engagement. She currently serves as Educational Director for the Lehigh Valley Dialogue Center, where she coordinates inclusive programs for K–12 and college students. Melahat aims to integrate her academic expertise with service-oriented initiatives to address challenges in law enforcement and strengthen community relations.