I hold a Doctorate of Philosophy in Leadership Studies from Our Lady of the Lake University and a Master’s Degree in Social Work with political concentration from the University of Houston. My dissertation titled “Leadership Preferences of Latino Leaders in the United States” looked at the levels of assimilation of national Latino leaders to the main dominant culture and its effect on their leader
ship preferences. It was selected as one of the 10 semi-finalist for the 2013 Outstanding Dissertation Competition of the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education, Inc. I have several years of experience working with diverse populations in coalition building, managing multi-city campaigns, grassroots and community organizing efforts. My areas of expertise include multicultural competence, issues affecting Latinos, women and other minority groups, leadership and team building. I have extensive experience presenting at local and national conferences and have published articles in magazines addressing leadership in the Latino community and skills necessary to be an effective communicator. My research interests includes multi/cultural competence and diversity issues in social work practice and leadership, Latino and minority leadership development, international social work practice, and women's issues. Prior to joining the Worden School, I was a Lecturer for the School of Business and Leadership at Our Lady of the Lake University and the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where I taught several foundation and advanced courses to students at a Masters and Ph.D. I live at home in San Antonio, Texas with my husband, daughter, cats, and dogs. I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the International Federation of Social Workers, International Association of School of Social Work, International Leadership Association, and Hispanic Women Network of Texas.
