Faculty Profiles

Colleges and Departments

Dr. Lea Robin Velez

  • Professor of Instruction - School of Social Work

Biography and expertise

Ms. Lea R. Velez, LMSW, M.S., has served as a Lecturer at the Texas State School of Social Work since 2014. She has over 20 years of diverse practice experience, working with individuals experiencing homelessness, youth, and initiatives to promote wellness for all individuals. Ms. Velez, who is currently a doctoral student and is interested in wellness initiatives to improve quality of life for elders, homelessness, families of the incarcerated, and social work education.

Education

Doctorate Degree

DSW in Social Work

University of Southern California, 2019

Master's Degree

MS in Human Services

Capella University, 2011

Master's Degree

MSW in Social Work Administrative Leadership

Texas State University, 1999

Bachelor's Degree

BSW in Social Work

Texas State University, 1997

Teaching Interests

Research Interests

  • Hawkins, Catherine A (Principal), Morley, Rael Hypatia (Co-Principal), Selber, Shirley K (Co-Principal), Velez, Lea Robin. Systems thinking as the nexus of social justice: Addressing the vital link between the dynamic and related systems of social welfare and criminal justice, Common Experience at Texas State University, Institutional (Higher Ed), $1000. (Submitted: July 2022, Funded: October 2022). Grant.
  • Selber, Katherine (Co-Principal), Velez, Lea Robin (Co-Principal), Percent Contribution: %50. Social Work and Criminal Justice Collaboration Guest Speaker Fund, Graduate School. Veterans Advisory Council, Texas State University, $1500. (Submitted: September 2020). Grant.
  • Velez, L. R. (2016). Enhancing the Educational Experience of Technology Based Tools: Excellence in the Classroom.
  • Velez, L. R. (2013). In O. Renick & L. Velez (Eds.), Racing into the Storm: Roberta Gibb, Katherine Switzer, and Women’s Marathoning. Jackson, Mississippi: The University Press of Mississippi.
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Gallery of Volunteer Excellence Inductee, Aging Forward. October 2025 - Present
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Teaching. August 2025 - Present
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Favorite Professor, Alpha Chi Honor Society. October 10, 2024 - October 25, 2024
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Most Outstanding Adjunct Professor, The University of Texas at Arlington. 2013
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Young Professionals Honoree, Dallas Furniture Bank. 2013
View all awards
  1. Member

    School of Social Work Curriculum Committee- Macro Lead

  2. Chair

    Scholarship Committee

  3. Participant

    Faculty Search Committee

  4. Member

    General Education Council

  5. Other

  6. Co-Chair

    BSW Committee

  7. View all activities