Faculty Profiles

Colleges and Departments

Dr. Lea Robin Velez

  • Professor of Instruction - School of Social Work

Biography and education

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.

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: 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
  • Award / Honor Recipient: Featured in the issue “Dallas People 2012”, Dallas Observer. 2012
  • Award / Honor Nominee: The Texas Regent’s Outstanding Teaching Award, The University of Texas at Arlington. 2009
View all awards
  1. Member

    Artificial Intelligence School of Social Work Policy Development Sub-Committee

  2. Member

    Advisory Board Member/Service-Learning Excellence

  3. Board Member

    Healing Touch

  4. Volunteer

    Comal County Senior Center

  5. Board Member

    Empowering Women as Leaders - Austin Chapter

  6. Participant

    Bobcat Day

  7. View all activities