Lucia de la Fuente Somoza

Programs and Courses Taught

Master of Social Work Program

SW 615 Research Methods: Intro to Social Work Research
SW 612 Generalist Practice II: Mezzo and Macro Practice
SW 650 Recovery Model in Community Mental Health

About Me

Lucía de la Fuente Somoza (she/ella), for the past 14 years, I have worked inside California state prisons facilitating trauma-informed and restorative justice–based rehabilitation programs and trainings. My work includes the linguistic translation and cultural adaptation of transformative, trauma-informed curricula and teaching materials designed specifically to serve incarcerated Latine communities.

I am a professional circle facilitator, leadership trainer, educator, and graduate-level instructor committed to transformative and community-centered learning. I teach in both graduate and undergraduate education with a focus on trauma-informed practice, restorative justice, social determinants of health, and culturally responsive approaches to care and healing. My work centers on supporting victims, survivors, justice-impacted individuals, community members impacted by violence and structural systems of oppression, and students navigating personal, academic, and professional growth in higher education.

Education

MA in International Studies and Conflict Resolution, ITESM Mexico
PhD in Anthropology and Social Change, California Institute of Integral Studies

Teaching Interests

My teaching interests include trauma-informed practice, restorative justice, social determinants of health, culturally responsive care, and conflict transformation. I am particularly interested in how language, culture, identity, and systems of oppression shape experiences of harm, healing, and access to care. My teaching emphasizes experiential learning, critical reflection, and preparing graduate and undergraduate students to engage ethically and compassionately with diverse and historically marginalized communities.

Scholarly Interests

My research interests include community-based healing practices, restorative and trauma-informed approaches to care, the role of language and culture in shaping human connection and belonging, and the ways institutions and systemic inequities impact individual and collective well-being. My work also engages social work education, experiential learning, leadership development, and culturally responsive practices that promote dignity, empowerment, equity, and social change across diverse communities.

Community Service

Alameda Food Pantry
National Association of Community and Restorative Justice