Maribel Tellez is a Practicum Director with 15 years of professional experience in social work. She earned both her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) degrees from New Mexico State University (NMSU) and has dedicated her career to serving the Las Cruces community through direct practice, program development, and higher education.

Throughout her career, Maribel has held diverse roles across nonprofit, higher education, and county government settings. She previously served as a Prevention Coordinator at La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery, where she focused on community-based prevention initiatives. At NMSU, she worked with TRIO Student Support Services and later served as Assistant Director of Chicano Programs, supporting student retention, engagement, and academic success.

Prior to her current role, Maribel worked with Doña Ana County Health and Human Services, where she oversaw the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) program and the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program. These initiatives were funded through SAMHSA and COSSAP and focused on cross-system collaboration, behavioral health intervention, and diversion strategies to reduce justice system involvement. In addition, she has served for several years as an adjunct professor at NMSU, contributing to the education and professional development of future social workers.

As a Las Cruces, New Mexico native, Maribel values community engagement and local partnerships. She and her husband are the proud parents of two daughters.