UT Social Work will welcome two new additional faculty members this fall, as Andrea Menchaca will join the School as a clinical assistant professor, and Laura Swann will join as a lecturer.
The new appointments add to a record year of growth among UT Social Work faculty, with eight new faculty appointments joining the faculty this coming fall, spurred by multiple consecutive years of record numbers for student applications and projected enrollment.
“Professor Menchaca and Professor Swann join our School with exceptional experience in leadership and social work practice,” said Allan Cole, dean of UT Social Work. “They bring high capacity in teaching and mentorship, with program development and community partnership skills that will provide UT Social Work with more opportunities to impact lives both on and beyond the Forty Acres. I know they will both make lasting and meaningful contributions to our mission as they build up the next generation of social work leaders.”
Menchaca, a licensed master social worker with extensive experience in supervising practicum students, brings expertise in developing high-impact training and field education programs within school-based settings. She comes to UT Social Work from the UT Charter School System, where she served as a social work coordinator. She provides demonstrated knowledge in designing and implementing scalable social-emotional learning and mental health initiatives, as well as training educators and school leaders through sustainable practice models.
“I care deeply about preparing future social workers through high-quality educational experiences and am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to those experiences,” said Menchaca. “My goal as an educator is to prepare students to become thoughtful, skilled, and adaptable social workers who are equipped to meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve, and I am committed to contributing to a collaborative academic environment.”
Swann, an expert in recovery and student wellness, comes to UT Social Work from the UT Center for Students in Recovery, where she served as its director. She built a program from the ground up, managing counseling, case management, program development, and community partnerships. During her time, she secured more than $690,000 in grants and fundraising to strengthen and expand services. She also has previously served on the adjunct faculty of UT Social Work, providing 20 years of service before taking a three-year break. She returns to UT Social Work with a new project of bringing an emotional intelligence program to the school.
“A meaningful education doesn’t just sharpen the analytical mind; it also cultivates the emotional one,” Swann said. “I want to help students recognize their strengths, challenge their limiting beliefs, and develop confidence in their abilities. I love teaching and have always felt that it is both my calling and my gift. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach at UT Social Work and look forward to educating many, many students to come.”