Len Lecci
UNC Wilmington
Dr. Len Lecci's primary interests are in clinical and personality psychology, with a focus on the factors that influence decision making in health and legal settings.
A scholar who has received grant funding, with numerous presentations and publications, including many co-authored with students, a licensed clinical psychologist with over 5000 clinical hours in psychiatric hospital settings and over 2000 hours of clinical assessment experience for the Department of Social Services and Disability Determination Services, and an award-winning teacher, Dr. Lecci is, in the words of a colleague, "the very model of the professor for whom this recognition is intended."
Dr. Lecci teaches courses at all levels and is equally successful engaging students in large undergraduate sections in an auditorium and one-on-one in the laboratory. He regularly teaches three to four courses per semester, often as an overload, and both students and colleagues consistently and enthusiastically praise his teaching. A former student writes: "His lectures and classes have been among the best I have experienced. His teaching skills are superb and he presents course material in an engaging, entertaining, and informative way. He is one of the most genuine, agreeable people I have ever met and his demeanor is a great benefit to his teaching abilities. He respects his students and this, I believe, results in the large degree of class participation that occurs in his class, as students feel comfortable speaking up in his class." Colleagues make similar observations: "Dr. Lecci excels in all aspects of teaching, from instructing large undergraduate classes to service as a research mentor for graduate and undergraduate students." And, "In every setting where student learning occurs he has demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and a focused concern for the total development of those whom he teaches. Dr. Lecci's work exemplifies how the professorate at UNCW intertwines teaching, research, and outreach to change the lives of our students. I am proud to point to Dr. Lecci when asked to define what our mission is all about."
In addition to teaching, he served as the advisor for the psychology honorary society, Psi Chi, for 6 years, and is engaged in extensive outreach to the community. As Director of Clinical Services for the Memory Assessment and Research Services, he has trained graduate and post-doctoral students in the assessment of memory functioning, with an emphasis on the early detection of memory problems. He makes significant contributions to the university's commitment to community and regional service through numerous community presentations as well as offering continuing education to the professional community. A colleague notes that his presentations at the Eastern NC Alzheimer's Association caregiver conferences "have made a tremendous difference for Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers."
At UNCW since 1996, Professor Lecci has received a Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award, a Distinguished Teaching Professorship, and the UNCW Board of Trustees Teaching Excellence Award. He received his baccalaureate and master's degrees in psychology from Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Arizona State University.