Dr. Michele Antionette Paludi

Dr. Michele Antoinette Valerie Paludi, 71, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 following a long illness.  Dr. Paludi was the daughter of the late Michael and Antoinette Paludi.  She is survived by her sister Lucille Paludi and the late Rosalie Paludi. She is also survived by her Godmother, Valerie DiGiandomenico and several cousins.  Her maternal grandparents were Rosa and John Peccichio, her paternal grandparents were Lucia and Antonio Paludi.  Her Godparents were the late Ricardo Benaquista and Anna Paludi.

Dr. Paludi graduated from the Schenectady, New York school system.  Dr. Paludi earned her BS in Psychology Summa Cum Laude from Union College, where she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in her junior year.  She earned her Masters and Ph. D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Cincinnati, with a specialization in life-span developmental psychology.  She held teaching and/or administrative positions at Franklin and Marshall College, Kent State University, Hunter College (where she earned tenure and a full professorship), Union College, Hamilton College (as a Visiting Scholar), Excelsior University, and Clarkson University, Capitol Region Branch.

She authored 56 academic books, 250 book chapters, journal articles and conference presentations.  Her book, Ivory Power, received the Myers Center Award for Outstanding Book on Human Rights in the United States.  She was named an Emerging Leader in Psychology from the Committee on Women of American Psychological Association in 1988.  Dr. Paludi was appointed to Governor Mario Cuomo’s Task Force on Sexual Harassment.  She was also selected to be the Chairperson of the United States Department of Education’s Subpanel of the Gender Equity Expert Panel on the Prevention of Violence, Sexual Harassment, and Alcohol and other Drug Problems in Higher Education.  Dr. Paludi was one of six scholars in the United States to be part of this panel.  

In addition to her academic career, Dr. Paludi was the Founder and President of Human Resources Management Solutions.  She developed policies and investigatory procedures for educational institutions and businesses.  She served as an expert witness in state and federal court cases in the United States as well as Canada.  She also facilitated training programs on sexual harassment prevention for businesses and campuses throughout the United States.  

Her sister expresses her appreciation to the Medical personnel and to the staff of Community Hospice for their excellent Care of Michele.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, June 8, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon, at St. John the Evangelist Church with a Mass of Christian Burial at 12 noon.  Interment will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Glenville, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made to Child Find of America or St. Jude’s Research Hospital for Children.