Maureen O'Connor

Maureen O’Connor, Ph.D., J.D. was appointed president of Palo Alto University (PAU) in August 2016. PAU is dedicated to improving the human condition through excellence in education, research, and clinical training in psychology and counseling, with an unwavering commitment to diversity.

Prior to joining PAU, Dr. O’Connor held multiple roles at the City University of New York (CUNY) in New York City over a period of 18 years. As executive officer of the Doctoral Program in Psychology at the Graduate Center of CUNY, she supported the development of programs in Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience, Basic and Applied Social Psychology, Critical Psychology, and Health Psychology and Clinical Science, among others. She also oversaw the accreditation processes for four clinical training programs. From 2002–2008, she served as chair of the Psychology Department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, during which time she hired close to 30 faculty and helped to build a leading program in law and psychology.

Dr. O’Connor completed a dual degree program in psychology, law, and policy at the University of Arizona, earning both a Ph.D. and J.D. She holds membership in the bar in Arizona and Washington, D.C., and clerked for the late Honorable Patricia Wald, then Chief Judge of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals prior to launching her academic career.