Omar López is a teaching professor of practicum education, receiving a faculty appointment at USC in 2010. He held the inaugural administrative appointment of vice-chair for practicum education in the Department of Children, Youth, and Families from 2014-2018. He holds an administrative appointment as assistant dean of workforce recruitment and development, leading a team that manages and implements initiatives funded by federal, state and local dollars. These programs have been awarded $25.47 million in funding from 2014 to date (2022) with over $14.49 million allocated to 785 MSW students in stipends and scholarships ranging from $4,000 to $37,000. The programs offer curriculum and training that prepares students to pursue careers in public child welfare, public mental health, integrative behavioral health and geriatrics.
Professor López is PI of an international project that is seeking to improve the child protection system in El Salvador and a co-investigator of two additional grant-funded projects exceeding $13 million. He has received two distinguished faculty awards, one for achieving recognition in the scientific community while addressing solutions to important social problems and the other for excellence in teaching and outstanding service to the university, the school and the community.
Professor López is a former undocumented immigrant from Mexico with professional experience in the field of immigration, where he has applied his expertise to a number of initiatives including a global immersion program (Pathways to Immigration) designed to increase understanding of the causes and dynamics of immigration. This course included a migratory journey in reverse from Los Angeles to San Diego, Baja California, Mexico City, Puebla City ending in Coatzingo, a migrant-sending community in central Mexico.
Professor López has been faculty advisor to the school's Latinx and International Social Work student caucuses as he continues to support all students with an emphasis on those from underrepresented communities. López previously shared responsibilities for San Diego Academic Center practicum education activities, and was the lead in the development of the Community Organization, Planning and Administration (COPA) concentration and nontraditional social work internships in San Diego. In addition to the Pathways to Immigration course, Professor López has also taught integrative practicum education seminars, leadership, stipend seminars, and a national immersion to Washington D.C. focused on child development and social policy. He is completing a doctorate of education in higher education administration at USC.
Professor López is a boxing instructor/coach, certified by USA Boxing, who also competes as an amateur under the nickname of “El Profe” in the masters division. He has won several tournaments as a welterweight and middleweight, including a national championship. Boxing provides a platform to practice self-care while he pursues the love of teaching and supporting others to achieve personal goals.