Background: Second-generation Dominican American – grew up straddling Dominican and mainstream U.S. cultures
Interests: Parenting, early childhood development, Latinx families, mental health and academic achievement, evidence-based interventions
Focus: Esther Calzada is a clinical child psychologist working in the Steve Hicks School School of Social Work, her research aims to advance understanding of Latinx culture and family and intergenerational processes. She’s worked extensively in developing and testing interventions and is passionate about providing services that respect and empower Latinx parents in raising children to be healthy and successful in mainstream culture while preserving their Latinx culture. She is also committed to efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion within the Steve Hicks School of Social Work community and within the field more broadly.
Fun-facts:
- First job: Ironically (because I’m horrible with finances), my first job was setting up loans for AT&T employees.
- Favorite music: Merengue by Juan Luis Guerra y 440.
- What do you like to do on weekends: Try new restaurants.