Maritza Vasquez Reyes

Ph.D., University of Connecticut
M.S.W., University of Albany – State University of New York
M.A., State University of New York at New Platz
B.A., Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra

Dr. Vasquez Reyes is an Assistant Professor at Georgia State University, Andrew Young Policy Studies School of Social Work. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Sociology in her country of origin, the Dominican Republic, where she was a member of an international action research project on youth prevention of drug abuse.

She completed her MSW degree at the University at Albany and her PhD in Social Work at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Vasquez Reyes grounds her teaching, service, and research in 12 years of direct social work practice. Her goal is to conduct interdisciplinary research that impacts public health and well-being.

She is particularly interested in understanding community supports available to youth facing oppression. Her most recent work draws on data collected with youth impacted by structural violence and examines the role counterspaces play in facilitating youth engagement in positive social change.

Her research is guided by the principles of community participatory action research. Through partnerships with youth and their communities, Dr. Vasquez Reyes work aims at promoting social justice and disrupting patterns of poverty and inequality. She is committed to helping new generations of social workers to be better equipped to work with marginalized and underserved populations.

Guided by close collaboration with those with lived experience, Vasquez Reyes’ work aims at addressing gaps in the literature and bringing about social change at the local, national, and international levels.