Roberta Leal, Ph.D.

Biography

Roberta Leal is an assistant professor of social work at University of Houston-Clear Lake. She focuses her time and expertise on teaching, social work field education, and researching topics such as immigration and health disparities. As the daughter of an undocumented migrant farm worker, Leal recognizes the value of supporting best practices for social workers engaging with young people in vulnerable situations through nonprofit organizations. 

Leal earned her social work degrees and Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Houston. She also holds a Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Certificate, is recognized as a Mexican-American Emerging Leader, and received the Humanitarian of the Year award from the Graduate College of Social Work. Leal is also the chair of the advisory committee for BakerRipley Neighborhood Centers, Inc. Cleveland-Ripley Campus in her hometown of Pasadena, TX and is a member of the NCI VOICE Committee serving the Greater Houston Area. She coordinates community events with a variety of nonprofits across Harris County that impact thousands of minority families each year.