Iriel Nunnery, MSW, MS, CSW

Iriel M. Nunnery, MSW, MS, CSW, currently serves as the Senior Program Manager for the Master of Social Work Program at Tulane University School of Social Work. In this role, she oversees program operations, supports curriculum delivery, manages student services, and collaborates across departments to enhance academic outcomes and the overall graduate student experience. Her leadership ensures alignment between program goals, accreditation standards, and student success initiatives.

As a proud first-generation college graduate and New Orleans native, Iriel brings lived experience, empathy, and purpose to her work in higher education and social work. She strongly believes in the transformative power of education and strives to create access, opportunities, and a sense of belonging for students from underrepresented and historically excluded communities.

Iriel holds two master's degrees from Louisiana State University: a Master of Social Work with a specialization in Children & Youth Services and a Master of Leadership and Human Resources Development. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Nicholls State University with a concentration in Social Work and minors in African American Studies and Humanities.

Prior to joining Tulane, Iriel served as the Academic Coordinator for LSU's Upward Bound Program, leading outreach and academic development for first-generation, college-bound high school students. Her earlier roles included serving as a case worker with The BRidge Agency and DCFS's Extended Foster Care Program, where she worked directly with vulnerable youth and young adults, offering case management, advocacy, and life skills coaching.

Iriel also has extensive experience in student affairs and cultural programming. She previously served as Program Coordinator and Advisor at LSU's African American Cultural Center. There, she led several campus-wide initiatives and provided strategic leadership for the Black Women's Empowerment Initiative (BWEI), cultivating culturally affirming programs and mentoring emerging student leaders.

A passionate advocate for the profession, Iriel views social work as both a calling and a commitment to justice, healing, and systemic change. She is dedicated to helping develop and empower the next generation of social workers who will become bold, ethical, and transformative leaders in their communities. Her work is grounded in the belief that every student has the potential to become a change-maker when supported through intentional mentorship, rigorous education, and inclusive environments.