Following a national search, Dean Allan Cole appointed Fuentes-Balderrama as assistant professor of social work (tenure-track). For Fuentes-Balderrama, it’s a validation of his work as a multinational social worker and academic researcher.
“Being raised in Mexico allowed me to recognize and appreciate differences as aspects that make each culture unique,” he said. “I quickly learned that I could do positive things for other people and share my best of myself and help people find their way towards a path of well-being.”
Fuentes-Balderrama brings eight years of teaching experience at both undergraduate and graduate levels, including as a post-doctoral fellow at Texas Social Work. He also brings more than ten years of clinical experience through his work in multiple countries.
After graduating from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, Fuentes-Balderrama served in Chicago at a primary needs center, assisting in clinical work for Spanish-speaking households, specifically families from Mexico.
There, he began to wonder how he could effect change on a larger scale, specifically in serving parents in Hispanic families, which led him to complete his Ph.D. and start a research career.
“Although not every problem can be solved, we can reduce culture gaps, research in innovative ways, and find solutions to make parenting and families better,” he said.
As a psychologist with expertise in child and family wellbeing, evidence-based parenting interventions, and family dynamics, Fuentes-Balderrama brings demonstrated ability for teaching and mentoring on research methods and modeling, as well as statistical analysis.
His research interests include evidence-based practices and clinical efficacy of parent training interventions, pre-existing family strengths and parenting practices, and the development and well-being of children and adolescents.
“Fuentes-Balderrama has made invaluable contributions to our community life through his strong character, high degree of professionalism, consistent kindness, and collaborative spirit, all of which serve to strengthen not only what we do but how we seek to do it,” said Dean Cole. “Our school’s faculty ranks among the best of the best nationally and globally. Adding Fuentes-Balderrama will further expand our school’s reach and impact in many ways that improve lives.”
“One of my primary goals as an educator is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and statistical foundations necessary to navigate the complexities of social work research and practice,” said Fuentes-Balderrama. “It’s an incredible honor to do that at an institution like The University of Texas at Austin, and I look forward to building on innovative research, improving the lives of families, and developing new generations of social work scholars.”
