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Susana Mariscal

  • Ph.D., MSW
  • Professor
  • IU Indianapolis
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About

Dr. Susana Mariscal, professor of social work at Indiana University, is a transformational community-engaged scholar with an active research agenda centered on modifications to the social environment that promote resilience among children and families and facilitate the primary prevention of child maltreatment. Her research also explores Latine teen dating violence; health and service access disparities among Latine children and families; and resilience among youth exposed to violence. Her work has been funded by the U.S. Children's Bureau (ACF); the Office for Victims of Crime (DOJ); SAMHSA; UNICEF; and Fulbright Alumni Engagement, among others. As a leader in resilience and strengths-based maltreatment prevention, Dr. Mariscal serves as a member of the National Family Support Network's Evaluation Committee and the Esperanza United's Research Advisory Council, along with mentoring Latin@ Leader Research and Policy Fellows with Esperanza United. She is also an affiliated research scientist with the Life Paths Research Center. Dr. Mariscal's current project "Strengthening Indiana Families" (SIF) focuses on the implementation and evaluation of a continuum of community-based services and supports designed to promote healthy family environments and enhance the safety and well-being of families in central Indiana. SIF has established four Family Resource Centers to enhance family support, positive childhood experiences, and protective factors against maltreatment in Delaware, Grant, Madison, and Tipton counties. SIF's model has been replicated in five additional counties in Indiana (Clark, Elkhart, LaPorte, Tippecanoe, and Wayne Counties). SIF was funded by a five-year, $2.84 million grant from the U.S. Children's Bureau (ACF). In addition, with funding from the National Institute of Justice, Dr. Mariscal is collaborating with Dr. Chiara Sabina (Rutgers) and a research team in conducting a national representative survey of Latina victimization, focusing on intersectional identities. Dr. Mariscal is originally from Bolivia.

Education

PhD

Emphasis/Major: Social Work
2013 - University of Kansas

Dissertation: Personal and Environmental Protective Factors Contributing to the Resilience of Latino Adolescents Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: Findings from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being II

MSW

Emphasis/Major: Social Work
2006 - University of Kansas

Graduate Certificate in Higher Education

Emphasis/Major: Higher Education
2004 - Universidad Catolica Boliviana

Graduate Certificate in Research Methodology and Higher Education

Emphasis/Major: Higher Education
2002 - UNESCO-Universidad Mayor de San Andrés

Licenciatura (Licentiate)

Emphasis/Major: Psychology
1998 - Universidad Catolica Boliviana

Dissertation: Holistic Program to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

Research Interests

Child maltreatment prevention; promotion of resilience among children exposed to interpersonal trauma; the intersections between child maltreatment, domestic violence, and substance use; youth aging out of foster care; strengths-based practice; social work practice with Latinx; intervention research; implementation science; research methods (quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods).

Teaching Interests

Program design, program evaluation, grant writing, research, statistics, practice evaluation, human behavior in the social environment, and topics on children, youth, and families, particularly those who experienced trauma.

Awards and Honors

  • Innovator in the Field
    2024 - Christensen Institute
  • Translating Research Into Practice Scholar of the Month
    2023 - IUPUI Center for Translating Research Into Practice
  • Indiana University Trustees' Teaching Award
    2022 - Indiana University Trustees
  • Outstanding Woman Leader
    2021 - IUPUI - Office for Women
  • International Student Member, Chapter Award,
    2013 - Phi Beta Delta, International Honor Society, Alpha Pi Chapter-University of Kansas
  • Liane V Davis Scholarship
    2012 - School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas
  • Woman of Distinction
    2011 - Emily Taylor Women and Gender Equity Resource Center, University of Kansas
  • Fulbright Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund Award
    2011 - Fulbright Commission, Department of State
  • Clark Coan International Student Leadership Award
    2008 - International Scholars and Students Services, University of Kansas
  • Outstanding International Woman Student of the Year
    2006 - Emily Taylor Women and Gender Equity Resource Center, University of Kansas
  • LASPAU
    2004 - Fulbright Commission, Department of State
  • Teaching Excellence Award
    2002 - Universidad Catolica Boliviana
  • Bolivian representative for the signature of Foundation of the Latin-American Psychotherapy Federation
    2000 - Department of Health
  • Academic Excellence Fellowship
    1998 - Universidad Catolica Boliviana
  • Academic Excellence Fellowship
    1997 - Universidad Catolica Boliviana