Tozi Gutierrez Hired as Human Services Program Coordinator

Dr. Tozi Gutierrez will be leading the development and coordination of the School of Social Work's newest undergraduate degree in Human Services. Dr. Gutierrez is stepping down from the Director of the MSW program to embark on designing a new fully online degree program intended to address the most critical workforce needs in Oregon. Dr. Gutierrez has years of experience in program development and workforce development initiatives during her time working at Workforce Solutions, a state program in Texas.

Dr. Gutierrez is a native Oregonian from the rural community of Independence, Oregon. Dr. Gutierrez served in the capacity of MSW Program Director in the SSW at PSU from 2022 to 2023.  From 2014 to 2022, Dr. Gutierrez was a faculty member and administrator at Texas State University School of Social Work. Dr. Gutierrez is a long term public servant, educator, and champion of culturally responsive teaching. Her academic interests include administration and leadership development, online social work education and student engagement, social change, and working with Latine communities. She facilitates training on organizational operations and leadership, teaching and learning in Hispanic Serving Institutions, and strategies for inclusive culture and climate. Dr. Gutierrez has experience as a Director of Social Work Field Education, BSW and MSW programming, as well as, teaching across the macro social work curriculum in undergraduate and graduate programs. Dr. Gutierrez earned her Ph.D. in leadership studies from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. She also has a MSSW from the University of Texas at Arlington and B.A. in Psychology from Western Oregon State University. Dr. Gutierrez is committed to engaging people from diverse identities and backgrounds towards creating a positive learning community where students thrive. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Gutierrez worked in leadership positions with nonprofit and government sectors in Texas and with Services to Children and Families in Oregon.

Dr. Gutierrez will return to a part time faculty position in the MSW program while also serving as the Coordinator of the Human Services degree with CYFS.