Gustavo Rangel

Forensic Social Work Leader

Gustavo Rangel is a distinguished social worker and former United States Marine who has dedicated his career to serving his community and country with unwavering dedication and compassion. His journey of service began immediately after high school when he joined the Marine Corps, serving from 2001 to 2009 as a squad leader. During his tenure, Rangel was deployed five times, including four tours in Iraq, experiences that not only tested his resolve but also honed his leadership and crisis management skills. Following his honorable discharge, Rangel transitioned to a career preparation that would allow him to continue his service in different capacities.

He pursued higher education at San Diego State University, earning a BA degree in Criminal Justice, followed by a Master of Social Work, and later, state licensure. These academic and career achievements equipped him with a robust foundation to positively impact lives within the foster care and criminal justice systems. Rangel is lauded for his exceptional post-military leadership as an ethical social worker serving marginalized individuals, supporting foster youth, confronting organizational racism, and diverting arrested people from the harmful effects of incarceration. His early lived experience in a disadvantaged community instilled in him a lively appreciation of what difficulties people face when they make life-altering choices.

Since 2019, Rangel has been instrumental as a Pretrial Services Officer for the US District Court. In this role, he assists the court with bail investigations and supervises individuals released on bail within the community. He is deeply involved in the court’s alternatives-to-incarceration programs, addressing the whole-person needs of individuals who have not responded to traditional supervision interventions. In this position, Rangel also pioneered and expanded the MSW Forensic Student Internship Program, a testament to his commitment to recruiting and mentoring the next generation of social workers. This program provides invaluable paid hands-on experience and guidance to students, enhancing their ability to serve effectively while contributing to the improvement of program service delivery.

Earlier, Rangel worked at the Silicon Valley Law Foundation as a social worker in their Legal Advocates for Children and Youth division, supporting young people and families as they navigated the foster care system. A well-rounded professional, Rangel’s experience also included roles at Uplift Family Services and at the Marine Corps Community Services at its Recruit Depot in San Diego, where he was involved in Substance Abuse Counseling and Personal and Professional Development departments.

Through his professional roles and even personal engagements such as coaching little league baseball, Rangel embodies leadership and commitment to service, utilizing his extensive experience to influence and transform lives in profoundly impactful ways. His innovative approach to social work and program development continually enhances the support systems for individuals facing significant challenges, making measurable differences in the lives of those he serves.