At the heart of our mission lies a bold commitment: to advance health, equity, and well-being for all through cutting-edge social work education, research, and practice.
We ofer a diverse array of academic pathways—from our Bachelor of Science to our master’s programs—that equip students with the knowledge, skills, and leadership capacity to drive systemic change. Our graduates are making a measurable impact in the lives of individuals and communities across California and beyond.
With a proud record of excellence, the School of Social Work continues to hold the No. 1 position among the 23 California State University campuses and ranks No. 3 statewide. This success is fueled not only by the passion and perseverance of our students and faculty, but also by the steadfast support of visionary donors like you.
Your generosity is more than appreciated—it is transformative. Every gift is an investment in the next generation of social work leaders, in the development of innovative solutions to complex social challenges, and in our collective ability to build a more just and compassionate society
Jong-Won Min, Ph.D., MSW Director and Professor School of Social Work
Propelling the SDSU Community Forward
Del Mar Healthcare Inc. Fund for CEAL
This gift supports the operations of SDSU’s Center for Excellence in Aging and Longevity (CEAL), including but not limited to infrastructure, research, and student support, all of which are critical to program success.
SDSU’s CEAL leads initiatives that promote healthy aging through collaboration with healthcare providers, government agencies, nonprofts, philanthropic organizations, and educational partners.
A group of students and faculty during the Caregiver Resource Fair
Thriving in the Aztec Experience
Raymond Wells, Class of 2025
Class Level: Graduate Student
College: College of Health and Human Services
Major: Social Work
Raymond Wells earned his master’s in social work with a concentration in direct clinical practice from San Diego State University in May 2025.
He gained clinical experience with vulnerable older adults through internships, including hospice care, where he supported terminally ill individuals and their families with grief counseling, psychoeducation, and resource referrals. He found this work deeply meaningful, cherishing the uniqueness of each life story.
In his fnal year, he interned with the County of San Diego Adult Protective Services (APS), investigating abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults aged 60 and older, as well as dependent adults aged 18–59. He worked on a multidisciplinary team alongside law enforcement and district attorneys, conducting interviews, assessing for criminal activity, and providing clinical interventions. This role gave him valuable insight into the systemic barriers facing older adults, including limited access to healthcare and housing inequities.
After graduation, Raymond was hired by County APS and is pursuing licensure as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW). He is dedicated to improving the well-being of elderly and disabled adults in San Diego through lifelong learning and culturally and age-appropriate care.
Raymond gained clinical experience with vulnerable older adults in hospice and APS, dedicating himself to compassionate, culturally sensitive elder care.
Kimberly Kritzer, Class of 2025 Class Level: Undergraduate Student College: College of Health and Human Services Major: Social Work
Kimberly Kritzer frst experienced grief at 19 after losing both parents and became the frst in her family to attend college.
Her passion for social work began at 13 when she helped her family escape homelessness by fnding resources and advocating for their needs. At SDSU, she served as president of the Social Action Committee, securing a grant for 40 students to attend the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Conference and leading social justice events, including a homelessness panel.
As vice president of the Latino Student Social Work Association, she organized outreach events, a food drive, and raised $600 for holiday baskets. She also engaged in voter outreach and served on the School of Social Work Curriculum Committee.
Kimberly later interned with the Welcome Home City Program—the same program that once supported her—where she assisted housing-insecure students and contributed to a Safe Parking Program. She also collaborated on human trafcking research with Dr. Lianne Urada. Kimberly mentors transfer students and volunteers with teens at the CopleyPrice YMCA.
Now pursuing her Master of Social Work (MSW) through SDSU’s Advanced Standing program, she aspires to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and advocate, using her lived experience to shape policy.
Driven by lived experience, Kimberly Kritzer rose from teen advocate to SDSU leader—fghting homelessness, advancing social justice, and shaping policy as a future clinical social worker.
Keila Noemi Chen, Class of 2026
Class Level: Graduate Student
College: College of Health and Human Services
Major: Master of Social Work Direct Practice
While attending San Diego State University – Imperial Valley, Keila discovered a passion for supporting student success and advocating for equity in higher education. After earning a bachelor's degree in psychology, she entered the MSW program at SDSU in 2023.
As a graduate student assistant in Student Afairs, Keila supports students facing academic challenges, including those on academic notice or disqualifcation. She connects them with resources and guidance to help them thrive.
She also assists the SDSU Imperial Valley Guardian Scholars Program by coordinating events and supporting current and former foster youth. Through the Ofce of Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP), she plans student-centered events and provides one-on-one guidance to ensure students feel seen, heard, and supported.
Her commitment spans the campus—helping with events, answering questions, and connecting students with services. She also supports the Empowering Men of Color initiative and serves as the student representative on the Social Work Curriculum Committee.
After completing her MSW, Keila plans to become a licensed clinical social worker and continue working in higher education to create lasting, positive change in students’ lives.
“Keila is dedicated to supporting student success and equity, connecting students with resources, coordinating events, and advocating for foster youth and men of color at SDSU Imperial Valley.
Celebrating Shared Success
Recent Rankings
Ranked #3 Social Work Program in California
Ranked #51 out of over 250 Social Work Programs in the U.S.
Statistics of Interest
Nearly 600 students are currently enrolled in the program; more than 9,500 social workers have graduated.
In Fall 2024, enrollment included 270 BA in Social Work students, 20 BA in Gerontology students, and 286 Master of Social Work (MSW) students, along with 29 MSW students at SDSU Imperial Valley. Additionally, there were 16 students in the Joint Doctoral Program (JDP).
In Fall 2024, there were 48 faculty members, 17 of whom are tenured or tenure-track.
MSW graduates consistently achieve a high passing rate (75–88%) on the LCSW licensure exams, according to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (CA BBS).
Recent Highlights
Serving diverse communities through internships with over 300 community-based organizations. Faculty are nationally recognized for their work in child welfare, behavioral health, aging, and school social work.
The school is home to innovative, grant-funded research centers, including those focused on health equity and trauma-informed care.
Rankings
Ranked #3 Social Work Program in California and #51 nationwide out of more than 250— demonstrating our commitment to excellence, impact, and student success.
Empowering Students
With nearly 600 students enrolled and over 9,500 alumni, our programs empower future social workers through top-tier faculty, research centers, and 300+ community partners.
Faculty Achievements
Paul Brazzel, LCSW, PPS
Title: Field Faculty and PPS Coordinator
College: College of Health and Human Services
Achievement: Paul Brazzel is the Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential Coordinator for the School of Social Work.
This year, Mr. Brazzel supported over 40 MSW students as they worked toward completing PPS credential requirements in School Social Work and Child Welfare & Attendance. In this dual academic and administrative capacity, he provides individualized guidance, ensuring each student’s internship meets both SDSU’s MSW standards and the requirements of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
This coordination ensures students gain the competencies and supervised feld experience needed to succeed in California’s educational system. Mr. Brazzel’s understanding of credentialing policy and student needs helps eliminate barriers in navigating complex state requirements. Without his expertise, many would struggle to complete this essential credentialing process. Mr. Brazzel is also the principal investigator for the Lead and Learn from the Heart program a collaborative internship initiative with Price Philanthropies, the SDSU School of Social Work, and the San Diego Unifed School District.
He leads a team that delivers trauma-informed, culturally responsive services to strengthen social-emotional skills among students and families in four City Heights schools. This year, the program trained 11 MSW and 2 BSW interns.
Through his roles, Mr. Brazzel ensures that social workers are well-trained, credentialed, and rooted in equity and community collaboration.
“Mr. Brazzel provides ongoing support to MSW students throughout their internships, guiding them through each stage of internship development. He collaborates closely with the feld education team and faculty to strengthen both internship placements and the overall MSW program. Mr. Brazzel maintains strong connections with feld instructors and emphasizes the vital role of prevention in school social work. He fosters meaningful partnerships between school districts and the university, ensuring interns have impactful learning experiences while building the skills needed for their careers in education.” —Amanda Lee, LCSW, Director of Field Education/Public Behavioral Health (PBH) MSW Training Program Coordinator
Taylor Geyton, Ph.D., LCSW
Title: Assistant Professor College: College of Health and Human Services
Achievement: Dr. Taylor Geyton’s scholarship is rooted in advancing culturally responsive mental health care for Black women through research, education, and policy.
This year, she submitted a proposal to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) for BREATHE, a culturally grounded, group-based intervention aimed at reducing traumatic stress and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Black women. The proposed intervention draws on collective healing practices, critical consciousness, and identity development as mechanisms of change.
Dr. Geyton published a peer-reviewed article on Black women’s self-silencing as an activist response within institutions of higher education, analyzing the psychological toll of advocacy in environments that often suppress their voices.
She also authored a forthcoming book chapter on implementing Critical Race Theory (CRT) in social work education, practice, and policy—framing Black women’s activism as a blueprint for structural transformation. Another forthcoming piece examines the impact of the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act on the mental health of Black women, exploring how hair-based discrimination functions as a form of racialized trauma.
In addition, Dr. Geyton serves as a co-investigator on the Conrad Prebys Behavioral Health Workforce Expansion Project, a countywide initiative aimed at diversifying and strengthening the youth behavioral health workforce. She contributes to both research and programmatic strategy to support underrepresented MSW students and California ASWs on their path to licensure—especially those committed to serving underserved youth and communities of color.
“I center Black women’s experiences to inspire creativity over reactivity, transforming activism into interventions that heal, educate, and challenge structural harm.” —Dr. Geyton
Faculty Achievements
Lianne Urada, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW
Title: Associate Professor College: College of Health and Human Services
Achievement: Dr. Urada is teaching SDSU’s frst course on “Homelessness: Social Work Solutions” this year, which highlights interdisciplinary approaches. She is also presenting her NIH-funded research fndings at the College on Problems of Drug Dependence 87th Annual Scientifc Meeting. The presentation is titled “Library-Delivered Telehealth to Increase Buprenorphine Treatment Use Among Unstably Housed Patrons Using Opioids: Final Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.”
The project was a collaboration between SDSU, UC San Diego, and Father Joe’s Villages’ Village Health Center and the San Diego Public Library. By utilizing private library spaces for virtual medical visits, the study found: 88% of participants in the telehealth group picked up buprenorphine at least once (compared to 63% in the control group), and 75% in the telehealth group reported reducing or stopping substance use (vs. 25% in the control group).
Dr. Urada also addresses the area of human trafcking/sexual exploitation of college students in the U.S.—a critically understudied area. Funded by the Nemeth Foundation, this area has few to no research studies conducted on the prevalence and extent of the issue facing U.S. college students.
In addition, Dr. Urada was funded by SDSU’s HealthLINK to investigate “historical community trauma” and its intergenerational efects among the East African population in San Diego. Her research partner is the United Women of East Africa in City Heights. Due to a dramatic rise in substance use overdose and suicides among the youth in recent years, the agency reached out for support and developed innovative programs.
Her research of nearly 1,000 students (after a pilot of 100 at SDSU) across 12 campuses in San Diego and Imperial Valley found that 1 in 5 students said they were trafcked as a college student—forced, coerced, or deceived into commercial sex. “It’s happening more than you think,” a student said. She was recently selected to present a “Brief and Brilliant" talk at the Society for Social Work and Research annual conference. She also engages in policy advocacy for human trafcking prevention material to be required during frst-year college student orientations.
