How public policy shapes who can get care
Speaking & workshops · Research & partnerships · Contact
Assistant Professor of Public Administration, Tarleton State University · Fort Worth, Texas
I study how public policy and the organizations that implement it shape health equity and access to care and social services. My research includes immigrant health, cancer disparities, and community-engaged approaches to improving services. I work with public agencies, nonprofits, and community partners to understand where policies and services fall short and what institutions can change.
Research & partnerships
Explore projects on cervical cancer disparities, community-led photovoice, and community health outreach. I welcome collaborations on policy and program evaluation, participatory research, and grant development.
Explore research projects and partnership opportunities
Speaking & workshops
Talks and workshops on immigration and health policy, access to services, community-engaged research, and AI-assisted case design for public-service educators.
Explore speaking topics and workshop details · Invite me to speak
About
My background in social work informs how I study public administration. I pay particular attention to what happens when people try to use services and how frontline organizations put policy into practice.
I also serve as an Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Texas at Arlington and am an alumna of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Research Scholars program. I earned my PhD in Public Policy and Political Economy and my MPP at The University of Texas at Dallas, my MSSW at The University of Texas at Arlington, and my BSSW at Texas Christian University.
I also teach fitness classes with SoberFit, which supports people in recovery through fitness.
Contact
For speaking invitations, workshops, and research or funding collaborations, email marcela.nava.phd@gmail.com.
