Following a national search, Dean Allan Cole announced that Dr. Jaime Fuentes-Balderrama will join UT Social Work faculty as assistant professor of social work (tenure-track), effective in August.
Dr. 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 on an international scale.
As a psychologist with expertise in child and family wellbeing, evidence-based parenting interventions, and family dynamics, Dr. 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.
“Dr. 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 Dr. Fuentes-Balderrama will further expand our school’s reach and impact in many ways that improve lives.”
Originally from Mexico City, Jaime is a graduate of the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City where he attained a bachelor’s in psychology, a master’s in community counseling, and a Ph.D. in psychological research.
“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 Dr. 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.”