Patricia Leslie is Director of the Social Work Program at Point Loma Nazarene University and has extensive experience with both private and public sector agencies, with a special emphasis on programs and services for homeless and other marginalized groups. Through this work she has touched the lives of hundreds of people challenged by homelessness, joblessness, domestic violence, substance abuse or mental illness. Pat is recognized for understanding housing challenges at both the “in the weeds” detail and policy perspectives. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago with a Ph.D. Loma Linda University – Social Policy and Social Research. – School of Behavioral Health Sciences.
Education
- Ph.D. Social Policy and Social Research, Loma Linda University
- MSW, School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago
- BA Social Work, The College, University of Chicago
Courses Taught
- Social Work Practice I - Micro Practice – SWK370
- Social Work Practice II - Macro Practice – SWK371
- Social Work Field Practicum – SWK470 and SWK471
- Senior Seminar – SWK472 and SWK473
- Criminal Justice Internship – SOC472
- Sociology Internship – SOC471
Experience in Field
- San Diego Rescue Mission - Associate Director
- City of Escondido - Neighborhood and Organizational Development Department - Special Projects
- North County Interfaith Council - Chief Financial Officer, Associate Director
- Brother Benno Foundation - Associate Director
- Crisis House, Resource Development Director
- St. Vincent de Paul, Residential Services
Professional and Community Involvement
- Regional Continuum of Care Council - Facilitator, 1996 – 2016
- Supportive Housing Consultant - County of San Diego,1992 – 2016
- Southern California CoC Leadership Roundtable, 2000 – 2017
- 25 Cities Leadership Group, 2012 – 2015
- Regional Task Force on the Homeless - Technical Assistance, 2006 – 2016
- Imperial Valley Homeless Task Force, 2014 – 2017
- Rapid Rehousing Assessment Project, 2014 – 15
- San Diego Grantmakers - Keys to Housing Initiative, 2011 – 2013
Awards and Honors
- Ruby Award - Outstanding Advocate - San Diego Housing Federation
- Social Worker of the Year - Region E - National Association of Social Workers
- County Mental Health Association - Homeless Research Project - Exemplary Performance
- National Alliance to End Homelessness
- Community Solutions 100 Day Veteran's Campaign
- Civic Mindedness Award - Channel 10 Editorial Award
- CA Assembly - Outstanding Advocate
- Distinguished Leadership
Dissertations, Presentations, and Publications
- Modernization of Care: Self-Determination and Homeless Policy in San Diego
- Keys to Housing: A Toolbox to End Family Homelessness
Presentations:
- Unaccompanied Homeless Youth - San Diego Women's Foundation, 2016
- Understanding the HEARTH Act- the Implications for San Diego, 2015
- Understanding the Federal Funding Formula, 2015
- Environmental Impact and Housing Quality Standards, 2014
- Black- Brown Summit - Reentry and Recidivism - Housing Matters, 2013
- Innovations In Housing the Most Vulnerable
- North American Christians in Social Work - In Times Such as This
- La Paz Conference - Beyond Soup
