Yvonne Ruiz

Yvonne Ruiz, PhD, MSW, MA, LICSW, is Professor and Chairperson of the School of Social Work at Salem State University. She teaches courses on human behavior in the social environment, human diversity, Latinx social work practice, and practice with immigrant and refugee populations. As of July 2022, Dr. Ruiz steps into the role of president of the National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter.  She is a current member of the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) at Salem State University that provides training in diversity, equity, and inclusion.  Dr. Ruiz serves on the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Social Workers

• Research focus on the well-being of Latina/o/x children and families
• Clinical experience working with Latina/o/x adults, children, and families in community mental health and behavioral health
• Cultural responsiveness with immigrant adults, children and families
• President, National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter
• Secretary-Treasurer, Council of Chapter Presidents, National Association of Social Workers

Teaching areas:

• Human Behavior and the Social Environment
• Privilege & oppression
• SW Practice with Immigrant and Refugee Families Elective
• SW Practice with U.S. Latinas/os/x over the Lifespan

Ruiz, Y. (2022). Equity matters for mental health.  Social Work Voice, 5(2), 3.

Ruiz, Y. (2021). Equity-minded leadership matters.  Social Work Voice, 4(4), 3.

Ruiz, Y. (2020). Latinx social work over the lifespan.  FOCUS: Continuing Education Courses, National     Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter Continuing Education Institute. 15-21.

Ruiz, Y. (2019). Transformative learning based on disability: My disrupting dilemma. Reflections:     Narratives of Professional Helping, 24(4), 50-61. Available at https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections.

Ruiz, Y. (2017). Angelina’s journey: Immigration dreams and disappointments.  In I. Alvarez and A. Vargas (Eds.), Latinos in the 21st century: Their voices and lived experiences. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Walter, A.W., RUIZ, Y., Tourse, R.C., Kress, H., Morningstar, B., MacArthur, B., & Daniels, A. (2017).  Leadership Matters: How hidden biases perpetuate institutional racism in organizations.  Human Service Organizations: Management, Leadership and Governance, 41(3), 213-221. Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23303131.2016.1249584

Ruiz, Y. (2011).  Promoting identification with school among Latino youth. The New Social Worker Magazine, 18(2), 10-12.

Ruiz, Y.  (2009). Predictors of academic achievement for Latino middle schoolers. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment,19(4), 419-433.

Ruiz, Y. (2021, April). Latinx narrative therapy. Virtual Presentation, National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter Symposium 2021.

RUIZ, Y., Walter, A.W., Tourse, R.C., Kress, H., Morningstar, B. (2021, April). Leadership: Moving organizations from unconscious bias to conscious anti-racism. Virtual Intensive Workshop. National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter Symposium 2021.

Ruiz, Y. (2019, October). Angelina' journey: Narrative therapy with Latinas.  Presentation, Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting, Denver, CO.

RUIZ, Y., Fox Tree-Mcgrath, Nascimento, M., & Segarra-Morales, R. (2018, April). Transformative learning in social work practice.  Presentation, National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter 15th Biennial Social Work Symposium, Framingham, MA.

RUIZ, Y. & Steenrod, S. (2018, April). Transformational learning in social work education. Presentation, National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter 15th Biennial Social Work Symposium, Framingham, MA.

RUIZ, Y., Walter, A.W., Tourse, R.C., Kress, H., & MacArthur, B. (2018, April). Leadership Matters: How hidden biases perpetuate institutional racism in organizations. Presentation, National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter 15th Biennial Social Work Symposium, Framingham, MA.

RUIZ, Y., Edmeade, K., Wilson, L.T., & Yeboah, A.A.  (2016, April).  Speaking out: African-American men in social work. Presentation, National Association of  Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter 14th Biennial Social Work Symposium, Framingham, MA.

RUIZ, Y., Aryal, B., Bah, H., Fearon, N., Gokce, E., Nascimento, M., Owen, D., &     Siddique, H. (2016, April).  Stages of migration: Bridges to social work. Presentation, National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Chapter 14th Biennial Social Work Symposium, Framingham, MA.

Ruiz, Y. (2012, June).  Suicide behavior and risk among Latino/a adolescents.  Presentation at the Youth at Risk Conference, Beverly, MA.

• Reading Latino literature.  My favorite authors are Julia Alvarez, Sandra Cisneros, Junot Diaz, Rosario Ferre, Oscar Hijuelos, and Esmeralda Santiago
• Going to vintage bazaars and flea markets
• Re-purposing and painting furniture
• Spending time with my bulldog