Rate My Professor Elisa Martin

Elisa Martin is Professor of Social Work and MSW Program Director at Siena College. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Welfare from the University at Albany, an M.S.W. in Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University, a B.S. in Social Work from Bridgewater State University, and an A.A.S. in Stable and Farm Management from Cazenovia College. Martin's professional trajectory includes progressive academic appointments at Siena College since 2014, starting as Visiting Assistant Professor of Social Work, followed by Assistant Professor (2017–2019), Associate Professor (2019–2025), and Professor since 2025. Prior roles encompass Assistant Director and Coordinator of Undergraduate Field Education at the University at Albany (2011–2013), and clinical and administrative positions at the Kennedy Donovan Center, including Assistant Program Director (2005–2008) and Program Coordinator for Family Based Residential Services (2001–2005). She has delivered direct services to children with special health care needs and individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, and provided clinical interventions for children, families, and adults, including guardianship determinations.

Her research specializations center on social work education, self-care in social work, environmental justice, community building, telehealth in social work education, field education, and community-engaged scholarship. Key publications include "Teaching Embodied Self-Care as Self-Preservation in Social Work Education" (Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 2023), "Telehealth on the Fly: Why We Need a More Thoughtful Approach in Social Work Education" (Journal of Social Work Education, 2023), "Protecting Others from Ourselves: Self-Care in Social Work Education" (Social Work Education, 2022), "Self-Preservation in the Workplace: The Importance of Social Worker Well-Being" (Social Work, 2020), and "Don't Tread on Me - When Social Work Academics Get Defensive" (Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 2025). Martin has received CURCA Siena Summer Scholars Program awards in 2015, 2017, and 2022 for student-involved research on program evaluations and foster care initiatives. She has presented at conferences including the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meetings and Baccalaureate Program Directors on topics such as environmental justice and self-care. Since 2021, she has driven the development of Siena College's Master of Social Work program.