Skip to main content
School of Social Work
Indiana University
Download avatar image

Carmen Luca Sugawara

Director of International and Global Engagements and Associate Professor

Professional Summary

Dr. Carmen Luca Sugawara is an Associate Professor and Director of International and Global Engagements. She brings more than three decades of experience in international social development. Her work focuses on civil society networking and strengthening, local capacity development, community-university engagement, and global social work education. Her leadership, research, and teaching advance international collaboration aiming to strengthen university contributions to sustainable development.

As a Fulbright Scholar in Croatia, Dr. Luca Sugawara examined how universities contribute to local capacity development. She developed a framework examining higher education institutions' influence on local capacity development. The work included collaboration with colleagues from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo.

Her commitment to community-engaged education is reflected in her scholarship and teaching. Since joining Indiana University, she designed and teaches graduate courses in international  social work and community-based global learning in Croatia.

Continuing her commitment to building local community capacity, in 2020, Dr. Luca Sugawara supported development of a Master of Social Work program in a post-war region in Croatia. Her commitment to global social work education is evident through her scholarship, service, and book projects. The British International Journal of Social Work honored her with the Frank Turner Award. The award recognized her work highlighting the role of civil society in local development.

Before joining Indiana University, she contributed extensively to international social development initiatives. Her work focused on good governance, civil society strengthening, capacity building and cross-sector partnerships.

Her work also advanced partnerships among universities, governments, and community organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, and Romania. Earlier in her career, she consulted for UNICEF Romania on social work education reform and  worked on forging partnerships among governments, universities, and child welfare organizations.

Education

  • Ph.D.
    Catholic University of America, National Catholic School of Social Services — 2005
  • Master of Social Work (MSW)
    University of Kentucky, College of Social Work — 2000
  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
    Universitatea “Al. I. Cuza,” Iași, Romania — 1995
  • Student Fulbright Scholar
    Case Western Reserve University, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences (Research Program) — 1997 – 1998

Academic and Professional Portfolio

  • Director of International and Global Engagements; Associate Professor
    Indiana University, School of Social Work — 2023 – Present
  • Associate Professor
    Indiana University, School of Social Work — 2014 – Present
  • Assistant Professor
    Indiana University, School of Social Work — 2007 – 2014
  • Visiting Associate Faculty; Co-author of MSW Program
    University of Osijek, School of Law, Department of Social Work — 2020 – 2025
  • Adjunct Faculty
    Catholic University of America, National Catholic School of Social Services — 2004 – 2006
  • Adjunct Faculty
    Universitatea “Al. I. Cuza,” Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Social Work — 1996 – 1997
Other Appointments
  • Program Officer
    Academy for Educational Development — 2004 – 2007
  • Research Assistant
    Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) — 2002 – 2004
  • Junior Consultant
    United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) — 1994 – 1997
  • Founder and Executive Director
    AgenT Association, Iași, Romania — 1995 – 1997

  • Senior Fulbright Scholar
    University of Zagreb and University of Osijek, Croatia — 2019 – 2020
  • Recognition Award for Outstanding Contributions (2025, December), Josip Juraj Strossmayer University Faculty of Law Osijek (50th Anniversary Recognition).
  • Reviewer Fulbright Scholar Program, Polish–U.S. Fulbright Commission, Warsaw, Poland, (May 2021; October, 2025)
  • Keynote (2025, October) Towards Reparative Futures of Social Work Education. The 4th International Scientific Conference Child in Focus – Family in social change. University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
  • Keynote (2023, September) With the Community for the Community [The role of community-university engagement in strengthening the collective, collaborative, and student agency while promoting local capacity for development]. The Second Southeast Europe Academic Women’s Leadership Summer School, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  • Virtual Global Learning Fellows Grant Office of International Affairs, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), 2022
  • Susan Buck Sutton Award Office of International Affairs, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), 2018
  • Top Teacher Award MSW Class of 2016, Indiana University School of Social Work, 2016
  • Trustees Teaching Award Indiana University School of Social Work, 2014
  • Woman Faculty Leader Newcomer Award Office for Women, IUPUI | 2011
  • Frank Turner Prize for Best Article International Social Work, Vol. 49, 2007 Article published in International Social Work 50(6), 862. DOI: 10.1177/0020872807081930

  • Local Capacity Development Research Consultant FHI 360, May–June 2017
  • Research Associate USAID Capable Partners Learning Agenda, May–September 2012

Teaching Assignments, Indiana University School of Social Work (2007–Present)
Course Title Innovation Year Taught
SWK-519 Community and Global Theory and Practice Co-designed course. Designed and taught collaborative online global learning (COIL) courses with the School of Social Work, University of Kyiv, Ukraine (Dec 2023–May 2024; Dec 2024–May 2025). 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
SWK-433 Community Behavior and Practice within a Generalist Perspective 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017
SWK-400 / SWK-600 Social Work Practice in Post-War Communities Course and program designed. Study Abroad Program, Croatia. 2011, 2013–2019, 2020, 2022–2025
SWK-516 / SWK-509 Social Work Practice II: Organizations, Communities, and Society 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021
SWK-555 Practicum I: Master of Social Work Practicum 2013–2017
SWK-651 / SWK-652 Practicum II: Community and Organizational Leadership Focus Area 2014–2017
SWK-661 Executive Leadership Practice 2009–2014, 2016–2017, 2022
SWK-S790 / SWK-712 International Social Development in a Global Context: Globalization, Actors, and Models of Practice Course designed 2010–2012, 2014–2015

Peer Reviewed

  • Luca Sugawara, C., Caha, D., & Resetar, B. (Accepted). Strengthening communities through reparative education: The case of social work education in Osijek-Baranja region. Engaged Journal, Indiana University Indianapolis.
  • Kyere, E., Luca Sugawara, C., Mijkulic, I., Vukovic, S., & Jelenic, G. (Accepted). Youth engagement as praxis toward community repair in post-war contexts. In Creating convivial spaces toward reparative futures. Engaged Journal, Indiana University Indianapolis.
  • Luca Sugawara, C. Caha, D., & Kim, H. (2025). A community-centered perspective on community–university engagement and local development in Southeastern Europe. International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.37333/001c.146133
  • Luca Sugawara, C., & Kyere, E. (2024). Braving the pathways to community reconstructions: The power of youth engagement in post-war contexts. In E. Kyere, K. Marasovic, & C. G. Luca Sugawara (Eds.), In this world together: Global social work and social development (pp. 245–270). University of Osijek Press.
  • Luca Sugawara, C., Kim, H.-W., Modić Stanke, K., Krasniqi, V., & Basic, S. (2023). The role of community–university engagement in strengthening local community capacity in Southeastern Europe. International Journal of Educational Development, 98, Article 102747. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102747
  • Luca Sugawara, C., Matesic, N., Paton, G., & Ray-Bennett, K. (2023). Global solidarity—Voices from Croatian mobile social education partners. In R. Alastair, S. Gülhan Tankut, D. Bazuń, & M. Kwiatkowski (Eds.), Knowledge on the move: Studies on mobility and social education. Oficyna Naukowa.
  • Luca Sugawara, C. (2022). Higher education institutions’ roles in strengthening local capacity for community development: An analytical framework. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 26(3), 163–176.
  • Hermoso, C. J., & Luca Sugawara, C. (2021). Civil society and macro practice. In the Encyclopedia of social work macro practice. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.013.1513
  • Luca Sugawara, C., & Opačić, A. (2021). Social work higher education institutions: Allies of most vulnerable communities. In A. Opačić (Ed.), Practicing social work in deprived communities—Competencies, methods, and techniques (pp. 193–207). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65987-5
  • Hermoso, J. C., & Luca Sugawara, C. (2016). Mainstreaming a gender perspective to peacemaking: A framework for policy evaluation for UNSCR 1325. Social Development Issues, 38(2), 68–81.
  • Pittman, S., Luca Sugawara, C., Rodgers, M. E., & Bediako, A. (2015). Social workers in international relief and development: A natural fit. Interdisciplinary Journal of Best Practices in Global Development, 1, Article 3.
  • Luca Sugawara, C., Hermoso, J. C., Delale, A., & Lupsic, D. (2014). Schools as pillars of postwar recovery: Rethinking the role of parental involvement. Social Development Issues, 36(1), 17–32.
  • Luca Sugawara, C. (2014). Book review: International community organizing: Taking power, making change (Beck & Purcell). Journal of Community Practice, 22(3), 405–407.
  • Luca Sugawara, C., Hermoso, J. C., Popescu, M. L., & Dichter, T. W. (2013). Strengthening democracy through local capacity development: The case of Moldova. Social Work Review, 2, 1–13.
  • Luca Sugawara, C., Hermoso, J. C., Delale, A., Hoffman, K., & Lupsic, D. (2012). Parental involvement in an emerging democracy: The case of Croatia. Advances in Social Work, 13(2), 451–470. https://doi.org/10.18060/1965
  • Ashman, D., & Luca Sugawara, C. (2012). Civil society networks: Options for network design. Nonprofit Management and Leadership. https://doi.org/10.1002/nml.21062
  • Popescu, M., Luca Sugawara, C., & Hernandez, E. (2010).
    Can government funding strengthen the third sector? The impact of a capacity-building program on faith-based and community-based organizations. Revista de Asistenţă Socială / Social Work Review, 4, 83–101.
  • Luca Sugawara, C. G. (2009). Building social capital among social work educators: A strategy for curriculum development. Journal of Social Work Education, 45(3), 445–466.
  • Hermoso, J. C., & Luca Sugawara, C. (2006). Civil society’s role in promoting local development in countries in transition: A comparative study of the Philippines and Romania. International Social Work, 49(3), 319–332.

Book

  • Kyere, E., Marošević, K., & Luca Sugawara, C. (2024). In this World Together: Global Social Work and Social Development. University of Osijek Press.

Peer Reviewed

  • Eric K., Moyo, O. & Luca Sugawara, C. (2026, March). From Individual Rights to Collective Wholeness: A Framework Towards Sustainable Futures. Interdisciplinary Sustainable Development Symposium. Purdue University Northwest.
  • Luca Sugawara, C. (2025). Higher education institutions as catalysts for local capacity development: A Framework for community-university engagement. American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Conference on Global Learning. Scheduled on November 14.
  • Luca Sugawara, C., Kyere, E. & Price, M. (2024). Centering Context: Moving from replicating cultural trauma to trust and wholeness in EA teaching and learning relationships. The Forum on Education Abroad, Annual Conference, Boston, March 20-22.
  • Ficarra, J., Luca Sugawara, C. , Odhiambo, P., Vuković, S. Price, M., (2022).
    Open Forum II: Addressing the Hidden Curriculum in Academic–Host Community Relationships. The Forum on Education Abroad. September 29. https://forumea.org/open-forum-ii-addressing-the-hidden-curriculum-in-academic-host-community-relationships/
  • Caha, D., & Luca Sugawara, C. (2021). Poster Presentation: Capacities of community-engaged courses to build social capital in post-COVID-19 period. The 12th European Society for Prevention Research (EUSPR), Sept 29-Oct 1.
  • Luca Sugawara, C. (2020). Strengthening local capacity for community development through community-engaged programs. Third European Conference on Service-learning in Higher Education What does it mean to be (come) an Engaged University? Multiplier event of Erasmus+ project SLIHE, June 13-15, scheduled in Bratislava, Slovakia. [online] http://www.slihe.eu/programme/15th-july-2020-conference
  • Luca Sugawara, C., Bašić.S., Krasniqi, V., Caha, D. Makki Alamdari, S., Kim, H., Stanke, K. (2020) Higher education and community-engaged programs: A strategy for building local capacity for community development in post-communist countries. Workshop accepted at the Social Work Education and Social Development: Promoting Human Relationship, Building the Future. Rimini, Italy, Nov 8-11. Conference CANCELLED due to COVID Pandemic.
  • Price, M.F., Makki Alamdari, S., Luca Sugawara, C., Steele, J., Leslie, Aguirre, O. & Vuković-Čović , S. (2019, November). Building our capacity for relational program planning in GSL: Lessons from an institution -community partner action research project. Global Service-Learning Summit, Clemenson University, South Carolina. 3-6
  • Luca Sugawara, C. & Killian Kinney (2019, January). Paving the Road towards Global Social Work Practitioners: Short-Term Study Abroad and Emotional Intelligence Development. Paper presented at the SSWR’s 23rd Annual Conference Ending Gender Based, Family and Community Violence, Society for Social Work Education. San Francisco.
  • Luca Sugawara, C., Carlson, J. M., Makki, S., and Vukovic, S. (2017, July). International Service-Learning in Post War Croatia: Capacity Building for the Social Work Profession. Paper presented at the 20th Biennial International Symposium of the International Consortium for Social Development, Zagreb, Croatia
  • Thigpen, J. & Luca Sugawara, C. (2015, April). IUSSW Mid-career Mentoring and Capacity Building Strategies: A Path to Professional Development and Career Advancement. Campus Presentation organized by the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor, IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN.
  • Luca Sugawara, C. & Hoffman, K. (2012, September). Using the common morality framework in postwar community research. Paper presented at the 58th Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Washington, DC.
  • Rogers, M., Pittman, S, Luca Sugawara, C. & Bediako, A. (2011, October). Preparing social work students for international careers. Presentation at the 57th Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education, Atlanta, GA.