by Chris Hilburn-Trenkle
The UNC School of Social Work is set to expand enrollment for a pair of introductory to social work courses for undergraduate students this fall.
The courses were launched in spring 2026 as part of a new focus for the school, which plans to offer a Bachelor of Social Work degree program in fall 2027. This is part of the school’s strategic initiative to increase its overall enrollment to 1,000 students by fall 2029.
SOWO 101 Strategies for Social Good: From Analysis to Action and SOWO 102 Families in Focus: Navigating Challenges, Inspiring Change provide an introduction to social work perspectives, practices and some of the issues shaping the lives of families and children in North Carolina.
In response to the courses having a 98% enrollment in the spring, the School of Social Work is doubling the number of enrollment slots, from 25 students to 50 students in each class.
“One of the most exciting aspects of launching these courses has been seeing the level of interest and engagement from undergraduate students across campus,” Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education Amy Levine said. “Students are eager to examine real-world social challenges, understand their impact on families and communities, and explore how they can contribute to meaningful change.”
The strong demand for these courses reinforces what school leaders long believed: students are enthusiastic about engaging with social work’s perspectives on today’s most pressing issues.
“We’re excited to expand enrollment and create opportunities for even more students to be part of these conversations,” Levine said.
SOWO 101 Strategies for Social Good: From Analysis to Action
Adam Milano, a clinical instructor at the school with a secondary appointment as assistant director of global engagement in the Global Social Development Innovations research center, returns to teach SOWO 101 for the second time.
Milano has a research background formed from his time as a United States Army veteran. He focuses on mental health, loneliness/belonging and education.
In his first semester teaching SOWO 101 he was struck by the excitement and passion students showed for the subject matter, and he’s thrilled to see that in the fall from a larger cohort.
“I am as excited as I can be,” Milano said. “One of the joys of teaching is that within our classroom community we have consistent knowledge sharing not only from instructor to student, but among the students themselves and, I get to learn a lot from the students. The students are always eager to share how they are incorporating what we learn in class to their lives in North Carolina and as Chapel Hill students. With 50 students, that is just more opportunity to learn from one another.”
Students enrolled in SOWO 101 will learn strategies for understanding social impacts at multiple levels, engage in community-based learning, examine social issues and advocacy strategies and analyze both collective and personal identities.
SOWO 102 Families in Focus: Navigating Challenges, Inspiring Change
Crystal Parker Grant, clinical assistant professor, is teaching SOWO 102 this fall.
An MSW graduate of the school, Grant teaches direct practice courses and provides mentorship and instruction to students in practicum placements related to education and schools. She draws on experience in school social work, criminal justice and behavioral health settings serving adults and adolescents to inform her teaching and mentorship.
Grant will focus on the policy, economic and social issues shaping the lives of children and families in North Carolina. Students will explore interventions that promote family well-being and address social complexities at the individual and community levels and as policy issues.
The students will also engage in advocacy and policy discussions, apply person-in-environment framework, examine economic and policy impacts and develop reflection and critical thinking skills.
“There is something rewarding about walking alongside students as they discover the power of social work and their own ability to create meaningful change,” Grant said. “I’m excited that our expanded BSW introductory courses will provide more undergraduates with the opportunity to explore their purpose, deepen their understanding of communities and find their voice as advocates for justice and social change. I look forward to sharing my knowledge and experiences while helping students recognize that their passion and commitment have the power to make a lasting impact on the lives of others and the communities they serve.”
Here’s what past students said about SOWO 101 and SOWO 102
“This course is perfect for students who are interested in the field of social work, and it is very helpful in providing a way for students to really engage with the profession. I really enjoyed all of our guest speakers, who shared critical insights about how an education in social work helped them make big impacts on individuals, communities and institutions. The rigor for this course was very reasonable, and readings were always insightful and relevant to what we were learning in class.”
“This was an amazing course! The content was engaging, and I really enjoyed the open discussion that included everyone in class. The discussion groups at the beginning of class were nice too and allowed us to share our thoughts on the readings. Overall, the course really opened my eyes to social work, and I want to continue to take more courses…”
“…Our class left as friends, and I’ve never seen such a bittersweet goodbye as we had on our last day of class. We got to know each other and hear other’s stories and I feel more excited as I continue my graduate education, even after just a semester in this course.”