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University of Kentucky

Dr. Joelisse Galarza-Davis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor with over nine years of experience in school social work, mental health program leadership, and clinical supervision. She currently serves as the National Director of Mental Health at IDEA Public Schools, where she oversees mental health and social-emotional learning initiatives across multiple regions, supporting services for more than 80,000 students. 

A proud Puerto Rican Latina and first-generation doctoral graduate, Dr. Galarza-Davis earned her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University, specializing in children, youth, and families. She later completed her Doctor of Social Work at the University of Kentucky, where her research examined how adverse childhood experiences affect educational outcomes in K–12 school settings and the leadership interventions necessary to address them through a social work lens. Her professional experience spans both school systems and private practice, her work is grounded in advancing equity, dismantling systemic barriers, and fostering trauma-informed, culturally responsive practices. 

A former Minority Fellowship Program Fellow, Dr. Galarza-Davis is honored to return to the program as a member of the Advisory Board. She is deeply passionate about supporting future fellows and contributing to the program’s mission of advancing leadership, equity, and representation within the behavioral health workforce.