Justine Rangel
Professor Rangel brings over 20 years of experience in the public mental health sector. Her areas of expertise include psychiatric nursing, substance use disorder treatment, employee training and development, and program management. She has served in key roles within government organizations, where she led efforts to embed cultural competence across systems of care, addressed workforce shortages through innovative recruitment and retention strategies, and oversaw department-wide training initiatives.
In addition to her administrative work, Dr. Rangel currently practices as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), providing mental health care within a primary care setting. Her clinical background also includes providing direct services to individuals with substance use disorders at the start of her career in social work.
Dr. Rangel joined UMass Global as an adjunct instructor in 2013 and was promoted to Assistant Professor in the BASW program in 2017. She teaches a variety of practicum and didactic courses and is known for integrating real-world clinical experience with academic instruction.
She holds master’s degrees in Social Work, Public Administration, and Nursing. In 2025, she earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from UMass Global. Professor Rangel is a licensed Registered Nurse and board-certified as both a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Her professional interests center on the integration of social work and health care, with a focus on advancing mental health services in community-based and interdisciplinary settings
Education History
2022 - Master’s of Science Nursing, Azusa Pacific University
2019 - Bachelor’s of Nursing, Azusa Pacific University
2011 - Master’s of Social Work, California State University San Bernardino
Scholarly Activities
2017
- Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Professional Experience
2001-2017 - Interim Cultural Competency Officer, County of San Bernardino, Dept. of Behavioral Health
- Plan, assign, review, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
- Prepare and sign performance evaluations; hire staff and recommend and implement disciplinary actions.
- Plan, develop, implement and monitor a culturally and linguistic healthcare and outreach program; develop and implement translation and interpretation services.
2013-2017 - Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Global, Irvine, CA
- Evaluate student papers and signature assignments.
- Teach undergraduate students in the field of social work, on both Micro and Macro social work practice.
- Serve as a field placement instructor and Collaborate with field placement supervisors to enhance field placement experience.
Education History
2022 - Master’s of Science Nursing, Azusa Pacific University
2019 - Bachelor’s of Nursing, Azusa Pacific University
2011 - Master’s of Social Work, California State University San Bernardino
Scholarly Activities
2017
- Mental Health First Aid Instructor
Professional Experience
2001-2017 - Interim Cultural Competency Officer, County of San Bernardino, Dept. of Behavioral Health
- Plan, assign, review, and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
- Prepare and sign performance evaluations; hire staff and recommend and implement disciplinary actions.
- Plan, develop, implement and monitor a culturally and linguistic healthcare and outreach program; develop and implement translation and interpretation services.
2013-2017 - Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Global, Irvine, CA
- Evaluate student papers and signature assignments.
- Teach undergraduate students in the field of social work, on both Micro and Macro social work practice.
- Serve as a field placement instructor and Collaborate with field placement supervisors to enhance field placement experience.
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