Skip to main content

M. Paola Leon Arizmendi, LMSW, Ph.D.

M. Paola Leon Arizmendi
  • Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Academic Innovation
  • Teaching Professor
  • pronouns: she/her/ella

BIOGRAPHY

M. Paola León Arizmendi joined Lyman Briggs College in April 2024, as its inaugural Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence and Academic Innovation. In this role she plays a key role in implementing the LBC 2032 Strategic plan, especially in the strategic growth areas of Strengthening Community and Advancing Inclusive, Interdisciplinary, and Experiential Teaching, Advising & Learning, in alignment with the MSU Strategic Plan. In addition, her role focused on advancing inclusive excellence across all key functional areas of the college, with particular attention to the core area of teaching and learning. She builds relationships with the vibrant LBC communities of faculty, advisors, students, staff, and alums, as well as with peers across the university, notably the Council of Diversity Deans, Faculty Excellence Advocates, the Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact, and LBC standing committees.

Prior to her time at MSU, León served as the Director of the School of Social Work at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). She served as the program director of the Master of Social Work Program from August 2020 – June 2023 and had been a faculty member there since 2012. She has experience teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as both in and out of formal classrooms locally and internationally. In addition, Leon founded the Social Justice Begins with ME! reading program for children ages 4-11 and co-directed the El Salvador & Guatemala study abroad program at GVSU.

EDUCATION

  • Ph.D. - Latin American Studies - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dissertation Title: "Weaving in public spaces: A multi-case study of Peruvian Indigenous Women"gn
  • MSW - Master in Social Work, Minor in Women and Gender in Global Perspectives - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • BSW - Bachelor in Social Work - University of Puerto Rico

RESEARCH

León's teaching and research are influenced by a human rights-based approach to social work education and practice. She has explored the construct of feminist solidarity economies, examining how they organize economic activities with a focus on values such as care, equity, and cooperation. This exploration is framed through the lens of the lived experiences of women participating in women-led cooperatives in the Peruvian Amazon.