We recently caught up with Michelle Ramirez, LMSW, to learn more about them! Michelle is joining TXICFW as a research coordinator supporting our THRIVE project. We are so excited to work with them!
Hi Michelle! Tell us a little bit about your past work.
Prior to this role, I held a role at UT facilitating education and training for allyship on campus. While this position no longer exists, I fell in love with the work of creating opportunities to learn and ensure people feel equipped to understand other’s lived experiences and take responsibility for undoing bias to create safety. Whether it was at afterschool programs, K-12 schools, or higher education, I have consistently dedicated myself to work that ultimately brings awareness to the injustice’s youth experience, especially youth with intersecting marginalized identities, and promotes empowerment.
What excites you or interests you most about the work you do?
I believe access to information and learning is a privilege that goes unchecked. Being a part of a research team feels like a major responsibility to create evidence for interventions that support people’s wellbeing and autonomy. It is also thrilling to do this work alongside people who are also curious by heart, and eager to actively seek out methods for a better tomorrow.
What is something you hope to achieve in your career?
I am interested in exploring my relationship to research, as it is a new path for me after so many years of directly working in the communities, I am a part of. I am eager to expand my technical skillsets behind the scenes of effective programming.
What are some of your personal hobbies?
While I absolutely take advocacy work into my personal life and find joy in collaborating with my community to see how we can support each other, I also seek joy through body movement and playing outside in a flag football league and weightlifting. I am also very proud of my cooking and baking skills; some of my favorite things to make are red chile pork tamales, green chile pozole, empanadas, and cakes with buttercream frosting.
To learn more about Michelle Ramirez, visit their staff profile.
