Our Story
About CESW
Situated within New Mexico Highlands University’s Facundo Valdez School of Social Work (FVSSW), the Center for Excellence in Social Work (Center) was established in 2022 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham with the aim of enhancing our state’s capacity to train and prepare social workers for competent practice with multicultural populations and communities.
Mission
At the Center, we place relationships and collaboration at the forefront of our mission. Our commitment lies in growing our workforce while driving innovation in social work education, practice, policy, and research, emphasizing antiracism, anti-oppression, and cultural responsiveness.
Vision
The Center envisions a robust, resourced and culturally responsive social work workforce mobilized to address the emerging needs of New Mexicans and our communities stemming from a rapidly transforming climate, economy, and sociopolitical landscape.
Center for excellencew in social work
Our Purpose
New Mexico faces urgent healthcare provider shortages, including behavioral health workers, with rural counties most significantly under-resourced (Segarra, 2023). As of October 1, 2023, only 17.88% of the mental health care need was met, well below the national average of 27.19% (USHHS HRSA, 2023). As shortages persist, behavioral health outcomes steadily decline, overwhelming our workforce capacity to respond to emergent needs for New Mexico’s people, families and communities. The first of its kind in the U.S. Southwest, the Center is taking the lead in identifying and promoting data-driven solutions to these workforce challenges.
Falcundo Valdez School of Social Work
Theory of Change
The Center for Excellence in Social Work (CESW) envisions a robust, well-resourced, and culturally responsive social work workforce mobilized to meet the diverse needs of families and communities across New Mexico. This vision arises from a rapidly changing climate, economy, and sociopolitical landscape. The CESW's approach is deeply rooted in its commitment to anti-oppressive, anti-racist, and culturally humble social work practices, emphasizing just, equitable outcomes across all endeavors.
Foster Collaborative Relationships & Networks
Engages a broad array of stakeholders through statewide workforce assessments, supports existing initiatives, and acts as an intermediary and convener.
Engage Social Work Educators & Students
Provides resources and support to existing initiatives for both youth and reentering adult learners interested in social work education and careers.
Offer Professional Development for Existing Workforce
Hosts student listening sessions, convenes Social Justice Teach-Ins, and facilitates a Social Work Educator Summit to develop tools supporting the implementation of the 2022 CSWE EPAS.
Enhance Pathways for SW Careers
Identifies unmet areas for continuing education, offering culturally-grounded content and CEUs, and designs specialized certificate programs to increase licensure preparation and clinical supervision.
Conduct Analysis for Evidence-Informed Policies and Practices
Collaborates with state and community agencies on policy development, informs legislation through research and position statements, and generates policy briefs.
Generate High-Quality Research for Data-Driven Action
Produces culturally-relevant, evidence-informed social work practice briefs, conducts research to support social work innovations, and designs programmatic and organizational evaluation tools.
Center for Excellence in Social work
Our Team
Valerie Valles-Pedroza, LCSW
Interim Director, Center for Excellence in Social Work
vevalles@nmhu.edu
505-429-1194
Amber Vilas, MSW
Professional Development Coordinator
acvilas@nmhu.edu
505-260-6197
Alycia Nabours, MSW
Special Projects Coordinator
adnabours@nmhu.edu
505-429-1340
Isabella Serrano
Graduate Assistant
aserrano5@live.nmhu.edu
Center for Excellence in Social Work
ceswnm@nmhu.edu
505-429-1340
Professional Development
socialworkceu@nmhu.edu
505-260-6197
Professional Development Proposals
Our Partners
At the Center, we employ a relational approach in achieving our collective aims by fostering robust connections with social work students, educators, practitioners, organizations, and 2-year, 4-year, and graduate social work programs across the state. We work closely with New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families and Public Education Departments, the National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) and the National Association for Community Organization and Social Action (ACOSA). The Center’s work is guided by a 30- member Advisory Committee that meets biannually. Our work closely aligns and supports the FVSSW Social Work Educational Enhancement Project (SWEEP)-Raíces and Native American Social Work Studies Institute (NASWSI).
Research
2024 Social Workers of NM Survey
New Mexico faces urgent healthcare provider shortages, including behavioral health workers, with rural counties most significantly under-resourced (Segarra, 2023). As of October 1, 2023, only 17.88% of the mental health care need was met, well below the national average of 27.19% (USHHS HRSA, 2023). As shortages persist, behavioral health outcomes steadily decline, overwhelming our workforce capacity to respond to emergent needs for New Mexico’s people, families and communities. The first of its kind in the U.S. Southwest, the Center is taking the lead in identifying and promoting data-driven solutions to these workforce challenges.
Press Releases
In the News
Inspiring Student Advocacy & Action at the New Mexico Legislature: SANA 2025
New Mexico Highlands University’s (NMHU) Facundo Valdez School of Social Work, through its Center for Excellence in Social Work, is excited to announce the upcoming Student Advocacy & Action Day (SANA) at the State...
Transforming Social Work in New Mexico: Highlights from the Facundo Valdez School’s Center for Excellence in Social Work
Originally published: https://www.nmhu.edu/transforming-social-work-in-new-mexico-highlights-from-the-facundo-valdez-schools-center-of-excellence/ Transforming Social Work in New Mexico: Highlights from the Facundo Valdez School’s Center for Excellence in Social Work...
New Mexico Highlands University Facundo Valdez School of Social Work Receives $750,000 to Prepare Social Workers in the State
Originally published: https://www.nmhu.edu/new-mexico-highlands-university-facundo-valdez-school-of-social-work-receives-750000-to-prepare-social-workers-in-the-state/ A Foundations for Growing Our Own Initiative to Address Social Work Deserts New Mexico Highlands...
Contact Information