New work life consultant brings varied social work background

Elisa Salazar brings a vast social work background to her new role as Grand Valley's work life consultant.

Salazar joined the Health and Wellness team July 10, following Sue Sloop's retirement in May. Most recently, Salazar was a behavioral health specialist for Western Michigan University's Behavioral Health Services, where she worked primarily with people struggling with trauma and substance abuse.

She earned a bachelor's degree in social work from Hope College and a master's degree in social work from Grand Valley. A Holland resident, Salazar has worked in special education, juvenile justice, mental health and substance abuse counseling. She said her passion for the profession was instilled early by her parents, who worked in health care and the ministry.

"When I was 7, I wrote a small book about myself for school and in it I said I wanted to be a counselor," she said. "I've always wanted to help people and I was curious about people's lives, about why some people weren't getting the help they needed."

This new role brings her career full circle, she said. 

"More recently, I've felt I wanted to move into the preventive side of mental health. How do we prevent crises, and strengthen families to give them a voice, and empower them?" she said.

Salazar said she looks forward to continuing and enhancing the work life programming established by Sloop. "I know I have some big shoes to fill," she said. 

She said she wants to grow the mindfulness program on campus, perhaps creating drop-in opportunities similar to how exercise classes operate. She also wants to spread awareness of the services and connections she can provide, whether to Encompass, Grand Valley's employee assistance program, or other community resources.

"This is the ideal job for me. I want to provide networking opportunities, help empower others and serve in any way I can," she said.

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