The School of Social Work is pleased to welcome Dr. Silvia Bartolic as our new Interim Director.
Dr. Silvia Bartolic
Dr. Bartolic is a Professor of Teaching in the Department of Sociology, where she also served as Undergraduate Chair. She holds a PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Texas at Austin.
Her research and teaching interests include family studies, sociology of health and sociology pedagogy, with a particular focus on the scholarship of teaching and learning, distance and blended learning, and innovative approaches to education.
Recognizing our outgoing Director
As we welcome Dr. Bartolic, we also want to recognize and thank Dr. Lea Caragata for her leadership over the past three years.
Since joining UBC, Dr. Caragata has championed innovation, growth, and community-building within the School. She worked to foster a more connected and collaborative culture, creating opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to come together and strengthening relationships across the School.
Dr. Lea Caragata
One of Dr. Caragata’s key priorities was expanding access to social work education through Continuing Education. Under her leadership, the School launched a Continuing Education program and secured more than $400,000 in funding to support the development of an online non-credit certificate in Mental Health and Substance Use.
Dr. Caragata also strengthened the School’s relationships with UBC Development, helping to secure several major gifts totaling millions of dollars in support of students and initiatives that
advance the School’s commitments to Indigenization and decolonization. These efforts have supported initiatives such as the annual School-wide welcome event at the Musqueam Cultural Centre and the Indigenous Field Fair at the UBC Longhouse, which brings together students, faculty, staff, and Indigenous-led social service agencies.
Her leadership also helped increase financial support for students completing required practicum placements. Through partnerships and new funding opportunities, undergraduate and graduate students have been able to access funding during their unpaid field placements, helping to reduce financial barriers to field education.
Most recently, Dr. Caragata helped establish the Continuing Education Bursary Fund to support Indigenous learners and students facing financial need. Thanks to the generosity of our community, nine bursaries have already been awarded, and more than $15,000 was raised for the fund during UBC Giving Day 2026!
Dr. Caragata has also served as the School lead throughout the renewal of the Jack Bell Building, guiding the School through its move to temporary space and helping prepare for the community’s return to our renewed home on campus in December 2025.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Bartolic to the School of Social Work and in thanking Dr. Caragata for her many contributions and dedicated service over the past three years!
