UNC Social Work in Community

08/05/2026

Last week, OCEO fall practicum students and staff participated in an experiential learning visit to the North Carolina General Assembly. The trip was designed to help students become more familiar and comfortable with the legislative environment while strengthening their understanding of how policy and advocacy connect to social work practice.

During the trip, students explored the Legislative Building and surrounding Capitol grounds, observed a House session, learned about committee structures and legislative operations, and visited the North Carolina Freedom Park. Although meetings with legislators were not originally planned, the group was recognized during the House session and invited onto the House floor. Students also spoke with professionals serving in different legislative roles within the Fiscal Research Division and the House Oversight Division.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity to learn more about policymaking, civic engagement, and the many ways social workers can engage with legislative systems. We're looking forward to welcoming our fall practicum cohort and are excited about the future with these student leaders!

Fall Practicum Students: Sarah DeVellis, Sahniya Bilkerdyk, Abigail Holdsclaw, Madison Andrews, Lauren Wallace, and Fiona Tracy
Golden Policy Fellow: Hannah Paul
OCEO Staff: Nadia Moreta and Kathy Colville

06/27/2026

We're excited to welcome Sahniya Bilkerdyk to the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach this summer!

Sahniya recently graduated from North Carolina Central University with her Bachelor of Social Work and is now pursuing her Advanced Standing Master of Social Work at the UNC School of Social Work, where she is concentrating in Community, Management, and Policy Practice.

She brings a passion for community engagement, advocacy, and policy practice, and is eager to continue building her skills in program development, collaborative partnerships, and outreach. Throughout her practicum, Sahniya will support a variety of OCEO initiatives while gaining hands-on experience working alongside community partners to advance meaningful, community-driven change.

We're excited to have Sahniya on the team and look forward to seeing all she'll accomplish during her practicum. Welcome to OCEO, Sahniya!

06/19/2026

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, a day that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and honors the enduring pursuit of freedom, justice, and opportunity.

Juneteenth serves as both a reflection on our nation's history and a celebration of the resilience, leadership, culture, and contributions of African Americans who have shaped communities across the United States and beyond. It also reminds us that freedom, equality, and justice are ongoing pursuits that require continued commitment, reflection, and action.

At the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach, we recognize that meaningful change happens when communities are valued. Juneteenth calls us to reflect on our shared responsibility to address barriers that continue to impact communities and to work alongside them in building a stronger, more inclusive future.

As we honor this day, we celebrate the legacy of those who fought for freedom, acknowledge the work that continues, and reaffirm our commitment to fostering community-engaged partnerships that strengthen and create positive social impact.

Happy Juneteenth.

06/04/2026

We spoke with Associate Dean of Community Engagement and Outreach Kathy Colville to learn more about the office’s first year of operation, goals for the years ahead and more.

06/02/2026

Happy Pride Month!!!!⁠ ⁠

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05/14/2026

We are pleased to welcome Abigail Holdsclaw to the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach this summer!

Abigail joins us as a practicum student, bringing a strong background in community-engaged research, public health, and systems thinking. As the Lead Community-Based Researcher for the ncIMPACT Initiative, she leads and evaluates projects focused on community wellbeing, providing technical assistance, training, strategic planning support, and data analysis to local leaders and organizations.

Currently, she is pursuing her MPH in Health Behavior at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and is part of the Graduate Certificate in Participatory Research program. Additionally, she serves as the Networking Chair for the Public Health Leadership Student Association, showcasing her commitment to community engagement.

We are excited to have Abigail on the team and look forward to the impact of her work this summer. Welcome, Abigail!

04/30/2026

We are excited to welcome Katie Lucey to the Office of Community Engagement and Outreach at the UNC School of Social Work. Katie joins us as our first-ever OCEO Executive Assistant, and we are confident she will be a fantastic addition to the team.

Katie brings a deep commitment to service and community building, along with a strong background in higher education, having worked at NC State and more recently with Gillings and Lineberger.

In addition to her professional experience, Katie is a hockey mom raising two sons, who sound like remarkable individuals.

We’re so happy to have you here, Katie—welcome to the OCEO!

04/22/2026

If you work with or care for youth (ages 14–21) who are or have been in foster care in North Carolina, please take a moment to share this opportunity—open until tomorrow!

We want to hear from youth who are or were in care!

Are you the resource parent or social worker for a youth currently between the ages of 14-21 who is or has been in foster care in North Carolina? If so, we want to hear from them!

The first annual Youth in Care Needs Assessment is open for one more week!

Youth can take the needs assessment here:
https://unc.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8dgtXCGf8sMWkcK

This assessment led by NCDHHS, DSS is the first of its kind and designed to receive insight directly from youth who are or were in care in NC and are currently between the ages of 14-21.
This survey is completely anonymous and takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Capturing the lived experiences of youth in care is a top priority to ensure that we continually assess and modify resources to improve outcomes. Thank you for sharing this with the youth in your care!

04/22/2026

We recently celebrated the conclusion of practicum for our two remarkable UNC Social Work students, Rob and Carson. This milestone not only marks the end of their time with us but also highlights the significant impact they have made along the way.

Last week, we held a celebration to honor this moment and the various projects they contributed to throughout the semester. A fun yearbook was created, filled with reflections, encouragement, and lessons learned. Students and our OCEO staff shared heartfelt messages and guidance for Rob and Carson, as well as for future practicum students. We are sharing a few pages from that yearbook to provide a glimpse into their journey.

Throughout their practicum, Rob and Carson engaged in meaningful, community-centered work, bringing fresh ideas, curiosity, and a strong commitment to impact. Their contributions, from supporting behavioral health efforts in Dare County to facilitating conversations, conducting research, and enhancing community engagement, have been both thoughtful and lasting.

Thank you, Rob and Carson, for the energy, care, and brilliance you brought to this experience. We are proud of you and excited to see what lies ahead!

Special thanks to our community partners for collaborating with our students:
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- 's Small Business Center

04/21/2026

Are you ready to learn at the No. 2 public school of social work in the country?

UNC School of Social Work is now offering introductory courses for all undergraduate students at UNC-Chapel Hill. The courses will expose students to social work foundations and career pathways.

Register NOW through Connect Carolina!