Edgar S. Jaimes-Bautista
Edgar S. Jaimes-Bautista is an MSW student in the School of Social Work at Michigan State University. During his studies, he realized that many of the interventions he was being trained in and using were neither designed for nor effective with underrepresented groups, and that the training itself often lacked the cultural awareness necessary to address the realities of communities with different identities. These experiences shaped his research interests in health disparities, substance use, culturally informed interventions, and the role of research in policymaking.
His work with the Adolescent Diversion Program (ADP), a two-semester course that trains undergraduates to mentor at-risk youth in 18-week juvenile justice interventions, has been essential to his development. Jaimes-Bautista first participated in ADP as a student and later served as an instructor during his first-year internship. Across these roles, he gained experience working with youth whose behaviors reflected his community’s experiences—behaviors shaped by the absence of systemic support. These experiences reinforced his belief that there is no blueprint for working with justice-involved youth.
His long-term goals involve addressing addiction and trauma through a social justice approach that challenges standard models of interventions.
Jaimes-Bautista’s work seeks to bridge research, practice, and policy by highlighting the importance of context in understanding trauma, addiction, and behavior. His commitment is grounded in lived experience, academic training, and his direct work with youth in the juvenile justice system.
Education
Jaimes-Bautista received his BS in Psychology from Michigan State University. He is currently working towards his MSW at Michigan State.
