Elsa Candelario

Elsa Candelario is a Professor of Professional Practice and Director of the Latina/o/x Initiatives for Service, Training, and Assessment (LISTA) Certificate Program, which trains social workers to provide culturally congruent social work practice at Rutgers University School of Social Work. Her extensive teaching and professional experiences primarily revolve around macro social work practice, nonprofit leadership, and social work with Latina/o/x populations. Her specific areas of interest encompass diversity and equity in nonprofit leadership and governance, ensuring equitable access to services for immigrants and Latina/o/x communities, as well as fostering cross-sector collaboration, planning, and advocacy.

Prior to joining the faculty in 2020, she had a distinguished career as a nonprofit administrator in both New York and New Jersey, spanning over 25 years. As an organizational leader, her responsibilities included shaping strategic organizational direction, cultivating relationships with donors, government entities, and governance bodies, championing sound external affairs, and overseeing the design, implementation, and monitoring of health and human services programs. Her efforts led to a substantial expansion of services to communities, resulting in significant budget increases. Furthermore, her innovative and impactful work as a macro social work practitioner earned her prestigious awards, honors, and recognition during her tenure. 

Moreover, her industry expertise led to her involvement in several influential advisory boards and task forces. She served as the founding chairperson of the New Jersey Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma from 2005 to 2009. She was also a member of the New Jersey Governor’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel on Immigrant Integration from 2007 to 2009 and served on the New Jersey Commission on the Status of Women from 2004 to 2007. From 1998 to 2002, she held the position of Chairperson of the New Jersey Latino Health Advisory Committee. Additionally, she generously volunteers her time as a board member for various nonprofit organizations. 

She is currently enrolled in the University of Alabama’s Doctorate in Social Work Program as a DSW candidate. She also earned a Master of Science in Social Work degree from Columbia University’s School of Social Work in New York City and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. In addition to her academic achievements, she has successfully completed several leadership programs.  She leverages this wealth of expertise to provide executive coaching to nonprofit directors. Furthermore, she holds the designation of LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), offering clinical supervision to social work professionals and students, as well as providing clinical interventions to individuals as part of her commitment to the field of social work.

• Management Practice and Theory
• Social Work Practice II
• Diversity & Oppression 
• Program & Strategic Planning
• Human Resource Management
• Supervision & Consultation
• Latinos: Culture, Community, and Social Welfare
• Social Work with Latinos
• Puerto Rico: Compounding Disasters and Community Resilience