Dr. Marissa Hansen Announced as Next Director of the School of Social Work
The College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) at California State University, Long Beach is pleased to announce that Associate Professor Dr. Marissa Hansen has been named the next Director of the School of Social Work, effective Fall 2026. She will succeed Dr. Nancy Meyer‑Adams, who has led the school with distinction for the past 12 years.
Dr. Hansen joined CSULB in 2014 as an assistant professor and has since served in multiple leadership roles. Her longstanding commitment to academic excellence and student success positions her well to guide the school into its next chapter.
“Dr. Meyer‑Adams has built a strong foundation and created lasting opportunities for our School that will continue to support its growth,” said Hansen. Reflecting on their long professional connection, Hansen added, “She was the first person to interview me for the position at Long Beach State, which makes this transition especially meaningful.”
A Los Angeles native, Dr. Hansen earned both her master’s degree and PhD in social work from the University of Southern California where she also completed a post-doctoral fellowship. Over the past five years, she has played a key role in shaping academic programs and strengthening student support initiatives at the School of Social Work through her role as MSW Program Director and the Associate Director for the school.
A Latina scholar‑practitioner, Dr. Hansen brings a leadership approach grounded in lived experience, equity, and community‑centered values. Her research focuses on trauma and mental health disparities among adults and older adults, particularly within Latine and other underserved populations. Her professional background as a clinician and program evaluator further informs her work as an educator and leader.
Hansen credited the School’s students, faculty, and staff as central to its ongoing success. “We are doing impactful work and continue to innovate while staying grounded in critical pedagogy,” she said. “That culture is driven by our community.”
She also recognized Dr. Meyer‑Adams’ leadership in guiding the school through significant challenges, including the COVID‑19 pandemic, budget constraints, and changing administrations, all while supporting faculty growth, student success, and maintaining strong enrollment, retention, and graduation rates. Under Meyer‑Adams’ direction, the School expanded student training programs and financial support opportunities to enhance access and affordability.
Looking ahead, Dr. Hansen aims to expand the School of Social Work’s presence locally, across the California State University system, and nationally. The program continues to be a leader among Schools of Social Work, with graduation rates exceeding national benchmarks and recognition as one of the top programs in California.
“We have so much to be proud of,” Hansen said. “Our commitment to accessible, high‑quality education creates opportunities for students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities.”
Dr. Hansen emphasized that her dedication to higher education and social work is deeply rooted in her personal background. “My influences on why I do this work extends to my upbringing as a daughter of a mother who immigrated to the United States from Panama as a teenager to pursue higher education, and a father who never attended college and always shared that as a regret. My family had such an impact on me and the importance of supporting higher education as a path for personal advancement. The more I move into my career, the clearer the mark of how central that imprint is in my current professional path.”
