Welcome to our latest installment of #FacultyFriday, where we feature a different faculty member each week.
Please give a warm welcome to Ms. Damaris Perez, who is joining our department of psychology and social work. Ms. Perez already has history with PUC: she received her BSW degree from the college in 2007, and also served as an adjunct professor in the department of psychology and social work in Fall 2012, teaching Assertive Behavior. Since 2014, she has been a hospice social worker in Emeryville, Calif. Prior to that, she served as a bilingual staff therapist, case manager, and intake coordinator.
Ms. Perez has also participated in extensive volunteer work within the Hispanic community, including workshops on drug use with teens, parenting skills, assertive skills, depression, domestic violence, and anger management. She has completed the hours required for licensing as a clinical social worker, and will soon be sitting for the LCSW exam.
Name: Damaris Perez
Title: Assistant professor of social work and field practicum coordinator
Email: dperez@puc.edu
Faculty since: July 1, 2017
Classes taught: Integrative Field Seminar, Practice Theory of Groups and Families, and Field Experience
Education: Bachelor’s in social work, from Pacific Union College, 2007; masters of social work, from Walla Walla University, 2010
What made you decide to be a teacher?
I want to empower social work students and feed their excitement for the field. My professors at PUC inspired me to teach with their style and compassion for our department and for the students. It’s a small way of carrying on their legacy and giving back to PUC.
What are some of your hobbies?
I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading, trying new activities, watching the Giants at AT&T Park, and traveling.
What is something people might be surprised to know about you?
At the age of four I made the front page of the local paper because of my fear of a ferocious, yet cute puppy the local SPCA had brought to my preschool.
What are you looking forward to the most about teaching at PUC?
Getting to know the students and sharing with them their enthusiasm for social work.
So far, what’s been your favorite thing about PUC?
Seeing familiar faces around campus.
Interested in learning more about PUC’s social work program? Visit puc.edu/admissions!