PSU History
Joined the MSW faculty in 2019 as an Assistant Professor of Social Work.
Experience
Dr. Alvarez has more than fifteen years in the field, serving communities in various roles including program director, community-based facilitator, and mental health trainer. Dr. Alvarez also has a growing research portfolio related to health and health disparities in Indigenous and minority communities, including racial/ethnic minority communities as well as sexual orientation/gender identity minority communities. Much of her work has focused on the impacts of culture and cultural identity on health and well-being, with particular attention to rates of suicidality among Indigenous communities, but also in connection to broader health behaviors, including substance use, dietary behaviors, and use of traditional medicines. Dr. Alvarez have been involved with developing and evaluating community-based health and mental health interventions, and have supported both federally-funded (SAMHSA) and locally-funded initiatives. Dr. Alvarez practices arts-based, qualitative, and community-driven research and evaluation.
Academic/Research Interests
Arts, healing, culture, queer Indigenous feminist theories, and historical traumas.
Personal Interests
Collaboration and community for healing and hope.