Simmons College
School of Social Work
300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
Office: Room: P-404M
Phone: 617/521-3923
FAX: 617/521-3980
Email: michael.melendez@simmons.edu
Ph.D.: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland
M.S.W.: Boston University, School of Social Work
B.A.: University of Arizona, Tucson
409: Dynamics of Racism and Oppression
411: Human Behavior & the Social Environment
421: Social Work Practice I & II
424: Advanced Clinical Practice
442: Social Work Research
451: Leadership Skills for Social Work Practitioners
452: Leadership In Action for Social Work Practice
The AIDS Action Spirit Award 2003
Excellance in Teaching Award, Boston University School of Public Health, 2000
Esteemed Professor- Centennial Commemoration 2000, Simmons College
Elizabeth Ramos AIDS Activist Award 1998- Latino Health Institute
Past President - AIDS Action Committee, Inc. Board
Past President- Latino Health Institute Board
President - Massachusetts Chapter National Association of Social Workers
When I began my career as a clinical social worker, I had only a vague notion that perhaps I wanted to teach at some point in my career. In 1988, an opportunity was presented to me to join the Field Education faculty and with this position the chance to teach a course on racism and oppression. That year convinced me that I wanted to pursue a career in academia. In 1989, I joined the faculty full-time and have remained ever since.
At the Simmons College School of Social Work, we strive to integrate a rapidly changing practice world with the soundest traditions of clinical social work. Our graduates are prepared to function in a multi-cultural society and to value and promote diversity. We are a faculty that prides ourselves in being student centered. We are an institution that prides itself in the creating an environment that fosters collaborative and cooperative learning. We prepare our students extremely well.
Since 1988 I have had the opportunity to teach across the curriculum. I have been a Field liaison and advisor, been the chair/coordinator of the Racism and Oppression course, have taught Research, Clinical Practice and Human Behavior and the Social Environment. While I am primarily lodged in the Clinical Practice Sequence it has been important for me to teach across the curriculum. It has facilitated my teaching and my ability to integrate the various components into student learning.
As of 2000, I am the Director of the Urban Leadership program. This program is designed to foster leadership skills, in addition to traditional clinical social worker skills, and prepare social workers to have a voice in the wide range of practice situations and positions.
We envision leadership to be a process and not a personal characteristic or an attribute of a formal position of power. We view leadership as a moral activity requiring initiative and a willingness to take risks. It is an exciting new program and I am glad to have the opportunity to devote more of my time to its development.
My practice and research interests have been an evolution. Originally I was trained as a child and family therapist focused on issues of child maltreatment. I worked a number of years at Judge Baker Children's Center and in a private practice. Through my experience there I became interested in the impact of addiction and life threatening diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS, on families. I am actively involved in a number of community organizations, at the board and consultant level. I feel fortunate to be a clinical social work professional. I have loved the work and people I have had the privilege of working with. I am grateful for the opportunity to foster the next generation of practitioners of a profession that I admire and am committed to.
Please don't hesitate to contact me. I would be happy to answer your questions about our program.
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