Rebecca Gomez, Ph.D., will serve as the inaugural fellow for the newly established David Johnson Professorship in Social Work, effective this August.
Dr. Gomez, who currently serves as an associate professor and the associate dean for academic affairs at Texas Social Work, is a leading researcher in the field of complex trauma and is nationally recognized for her work on child and family well-being.
“Professor Gomez is a dedicated scholar whose work consistently advances knowledge and outcomes that benefit children and families,” said Allan Cole, dean of Texas Social Work. “As a teacher, she exemplifies how to offer students guidance, mentorship, and inspiration, and her many contributions as a leader help shape the social work profession as well as the policies and practices that impact families, children, and society at large. I am excited about the work she will continue to do and the new discoveries that will be made in her research.”
Dr. Gomez’s research particularly emphasizes the impact of complex trauma on development and adult outcomes. Her work addresses the family as a system, exploring how the interplay of complex trauma and substance use affects not only individuals but also the broader family unit.
Dr. Gomez’s research also extends to child welfare workforce development, where she investigates strategies to better equip professionals who work with children and families affected by these intertwined challenges. She seeks to uncover how individuals can break free from the impact of trauma, fostering resilience and post-traumatic growth.
With over 20 years of experience in clinical social work, Dr. Gomez’s practice deeply informs her research. Prior to her current role, Dr. Gomez was Interim Dean and Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work and held academic leadership roles at Our Lady of the Lake University.
Dr. Gomez serves on the editorial board of the journal Child and Adolescent Social Work, the board of Influencing Social Policy and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) National Nominating Committee. She co-chaired the CSWE Specialized Practice Curricular Guide for Substance Use (2020) and was awarded the Council on Social Work Education’s Distinguished Recent Contributions to Social Work Education Award in 2020 for her leadership.
“It’s an incredible honor to be the inaugural fellow for this endowment, especially to carry on David Johnson’s legacy in social welfare and policy research,” said Dr. Gomez. “Lives are transformed by social work education and research, and I look forward to continuing to advance our teaching and research mission in this new role.”
The professorship, which is the newest endowed professorship at Texas Social Work, was created through a significant gift from the estate of Dr. David H. Johnson, a graduate of Texas Social Work’s doctoral program. Often called “DJ” while in school, Dr. Johnson deeply valued the time he spent at The University of Texas at Austin and was known for his scholarly interest in social welfare policy.