Biography
José Miguel Paez (He/Him/His), is a multi-ethnic person (Mexican/Filipino/Italian/enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz), Assistant Professor, joined the CSUN faculty in the fall of 2009 as a full-time lecturer. He received his MSW from the University of Southern California in 2001, with an emphasis on families and children. He earned his Ed.D from CSUN in 2020. The title of his dissertation was Decolonial Portraiture: Challenging Coloniality and Re-Imagining Social Work Education. His theoretical and research interests include decolonization, anti-colonial practice, critical race theory, feminism, intersectionality, liberation based-healing, historical trauma and healing centered engagement. José teaches clinical and macro practice courses. He is on the planning committees for—We Are Power: Community in Action Conference, Docs & Talks, Soulcial Work Summer Series, and the Re-Imagine Social Work Education (R.I.S.E.) collective. He also facilitates the Social Justice Dialogues a monthly event for MSW alumni. He serves as advisory board for the Asian American Pacific Islander Social Work student Caucus (AAPISWC). His work on campus involves ongoing collaborations with programs including: MOSAIC, BUILD PODER, Ethnic Studies Education Pathways Project (ESEPP). He is a member of CSUN Project Rebound Community Advisory Council, as well as a member of CSUN American Indian Studies Interdisciplinary Program Committee. In the past he has worked on projects with the DREAM Center, the Office of Student Success Innovations, and the Institute for Transformative Teaching and Learning. Prior to teaching, he served as a bilingual outpatient clinician at Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, and worked with the USC School of Social Work and the USC Community Education Academy. He continues to provide ongoing consultation, mentoring, trainings and workshops, and clinical supervision within the community. He serves as a board member of Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural, as well as the Tutčint Youth Empowerment project which is part of the Pukúu Cultural Community Services. José has a background in theatre, improv, spoken word, and was also a basketball coach at various levels for over 10 years.
Education
- (1996) College of the Canyons, A.A. emphasis in Behavioral Sciences
- (1998) California State University of Northridge, B.A. Sociology emphasis in Social Welfare
- (1999) California State University of Northridge, B.A. Psychology
- (2001) University of Southern California, Masters of Social Work, emphasis Family and Children
- (2007) Received License as a Clinical Social Worker
Courses Taught
- SWRK 502 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment II
- SWRK 503 - Psychosocial Assessment/DSM
- SWRK 510 - Micro Practice I
- SWRK 520 - Multiculturalism
- SWRK 521 - Macro Practice I
- SWRK 525 - Policy I
- SWRK 601 - Advanced Micro Practice
- SWRK 602 - Advanced Micro Practice
- SWRK 630 - Trauma and Grief
- SWRK 645 - Advanced Policy
- SWRK 650G - Leadership
- SWRK 650P - Social Justice and Family Therapy
Selected Publications and Presentations
Committees
Chair Docs & Talks, Co-Chair Diversity Day, Co-Chair Lunch and Learn, member of Micro, Macro, Policy, and HBSE Sequence Committees, Fall Kick Off
Research and Interests
Postmodern Theory (Critical Race, Neo-Feminism, Marxism, Queer, Self-Efficacy, and Attachment theories,), Trauma and Restorative Justice, Social and Racial Justice, Intersectionality, Liberation and Transformative Based Social Work Practice, Examining social inequality and pursuing change efforts toward equity and peace.