Dr. Luis R. Torres-Hostos is Founding Dean and Professor of the School of Social Work (SSW) at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, TX. Under his leadership, the SSW is playing a key role in promoting health equity and social justice in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) and beyond. Among other initiatives, the School of Social Work has significantly increased the number of faculty; expanded community-engaged research; developed bilingual courses; established new partnerships with agencies throughout the RGV, including the Latin American consulates; launched the Office for International Social Work and the Human Mobility Institute; developed and launched a new online master’s in social work and a dual Master’s in Social Work and Master’s in Public Health; and is working on a doctoral program in social work. His research focuses on health disparities, social determinants of health, and community engagement with minority communities, and has been funded by federal, state, and private entities. Dr. Torres-Hostos has secured partnerships and collaborations in Mexico, Central and South America, and Puerto Rico. He serves on local, national and international boards, including the American Red Cross South Texas Chapter; Hidalgo County Community Service Agency, a Community Action Partnership Organization that serves the most vulnerable populations in Hidalgo County; the National Alliance for Hispanic Families; Rotary International District 5930, and the Red Internacional de Investigación e Intervención en Migración (RIIIM) at Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, México. A native of Puerto Rico, Dr. Torres has a doctorate in clinical psychology from Fordham University in New York City and over 35 years of clinical, teaching, administrative, and research experience at the intersection of social work, psychology, public health, medicine, and faith-based communities.