Welcoming new faculty members: Meet Johanna Caplan

By Sarah J. Watson

The University at Buffalo School of Social Work welcomed two new faculty members this fall: Johanna Caplan, LMSW, clinical assistant professor for practicum education, and Kathryn Miller-Procknal, DSW, clinical assistant professor.

In introductory interviews, both share their professional interests, areas of expertise, passions and self-care practices. Meet Johanna Caplan.

Tell us about your research or professional interests. What are you working on now?

I started my social work career in child welfare, and I’ve spent over eight years in workforce development, where I’ve found a passion for equity in work-based learning and workforce development. Many equity gaps need to be addressed, both locally and nationally.

Work-based learning is a crucial part of the learning process for students at any level of education, and not all students have the same opportunity to have this experience. Many factors come into play, such as social capital, implicit and explicit hiring bias, whether an experience is paid, knowing how to put together application materials to workforce standards and more. Students without access to all of these factors can easily be left out, which makes it harder to break into the workforce.

For those who do not pursue higher education, breaking into the workforce can be even more difficult, especially when it comes to access to jobs that pay a family-sustaining wage. Our local region has a great deal of segregation, racially, economically and educationally. All of those factors come into play when it comes to access to the workforce and good-paying jobs, and the lack of access to those jobs furthers those disparities. My goal is to focus on this scope of work for my area of scholarship.

The work I’ve been fortunate enough to do in the most recent part of my career has given me a skill set in program development based in equitable initiatives. It is a delicate process to identify gaps in a system and build up a program that involves multiple stakeholders to provide a long-term solution. I’ve learned through that work that you need strong relationship skills, empathetic listening skills and an inclusive mindset. 

What are you passionate about?

I’m very passionate about supporting MSW students during their practicum placements. It’s such a critical and exciting part of the learning process. The opportunity to connect classroom learning to real-world experiences in a supportive learning environment is central to becoming a quality social worker. It’s easy to go through the motions of practicum, but there is a lot to be learned during that time and I’m excited to be part of that journey with students.

What do you like to do for fun or self-care?

I’m an avid reader, and you can usually catch me with a book in my bag. I also love to knit, crochet and embroider. Spending time with my husband, dog, friends and family always brings me joy. I consider my hobbies a form of self-care, but I also love to exercise and go for a good walk as well.