Sarah Melinda Dobie's headshot

Sarah Melinda Dobie

Associate Professor, Graduate Program Director
sdbuila@siu.edu
618-453-1151
Pulliam 250
Social Work

Dr. Dobie came to SIU in 1998 as an adjunct instructor and has taught almost every course that the program offers. She has been serving as a social work program director since 2007. Before coming to SIU, she worked in the mental health field as a crisis worker, in-patient case-manager, group therapist, out-patient therapist with adults. She also worked as a medical social worker in hospitals and in home-health. Currently, Dr. Dobie volunteers with community agencies providing support and program evaluation.

Education:

Sarah Dobie has obtained a Doctorate of Philosophy and Social Work at the University of Illinois, May 2005. Masters of Social Work, Southern Illinois University, 1993. Bachelor of Arts, General Studio Art, Southern Illinois University, 1989.

Research Interests:

  • Diversity, Anti-racism and Cultural Competence
  • Social Justice
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Student Centered CSWE Accredited Programs

Clinical Practice Experience

  • 1993- 1996, 1997- 2010 Crisis Management Counselor, Southern Illinois Regional Social Services, Carbondale, Illinois
  • 1995, 1999, Adult Outpatient Counselor, Southern Illinois Regional Social Services, Carbondale, Illinois
  • 1996-1998 Case Manager/Group Therapist, The Pavilion Behavioral Health, Champaign, Illinois
  • 1993-1995 Social Work Coordinator House Calls, Southern Illinois Health Care, Carbondale, Illinois

Certifications and Licenses

  • 1993 Licensed Social Worker, Illinois
  • 1995 and current Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Illinois #149006447

Classroom Teaching

  • Social Welfare as a Social Institution
  • Social Welfare Policy
  • Interviewing and Interpersonal Helping Skills
  • Generalist Practice
  • Field Practicum Seminar
  • Selected Topics In Social Work: Substance Abuse, Medical Social Work, Child Welfare
  • Psycho-social Disorders
  • Methods of Social Research
  • Statistics for Social Workers
  • Health and Mental Health Practice
  • Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Service:

  • Community Project evaluation for Americorps
  • Gay/Lesbian People’s Union crisis hotline volunteer
  • Hospice fund raising
  • American Cancer Society fund raising
  • Volunteer Case Manager for Southern Illinois Regional Effort for Aids
  • Building Better Communities
  • Legacy Training, Inc.
  • Friends of Carbondale Dog Parks
  • Midnight Run Community Basketball

Publications and Creative Contributions

  • Dobie, S. (May, 2025). Painting Portraits of Human Contraband on Bricks: Using Art and Reflexivity to Stimulate Conversations, Self-examination, and empathy. In K. Sun, Panel Chair. Visual Methods: Constructing Empathetic Dialogue and Subverting Power. 21st International Virtual Congress of Qualitative Inquiry. Champaign-Urbana, Illinois.
  • Whetstone, R. & Dobie, S. (February, 2025). Murder, Social Murder and Social Control: Can Art raise Awareness and Instigate Social Change? 33rd Annual National Association of African American Studies and Affiliates 2025 Conference.
  • Dobie, S. (2024). Building Understanding. Mixed media and acrylic on bricks. Art exhibit as part of The Artist Collective on Race, Equity and Unity, Anna, Illinois.
  • Buila, S. (Fall 2010). The NASW code of ethics and the manifestation of the culture war within the profession of social work. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics.
  • Buila, S. (2009) Using the media to enhance well-being and mental health: One community’s efforts. Rural Society, 19 (4), 363-367.
  • Buila, S., (2009). Addressing Disparities by Focusing on the Gaps in Racism Awareness, Illinois Committee on Black Concerns Journal 25(1), 1-6.
  • Buila, S. (2009). Evidence-based research on the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for bipolar disorder. Social Work in Mental Health, 7 (6), 572-586.
  • Buila, S. (2008). The white educator’s role in teaching about culture. The International Journal of Diversity in Organizations, Communities, and Nations, 8 (6), 97-104.
  • Dreuth Zeman, L. & Buila, S. (2006). Mental health reform: An informal rural network implements mental health reform for parent consumers. Rural Social Work and Community Practice, 11, 30-38
  • Marley, J. & Buila, S. (1999). When violence happens to people with mental illness: Disclosing victimization to police and others. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 69(3), 398- 402 .
  • Marley, J. & Buila, S. (2001). Crimes against the mentally ill: Types, perpetrators, and influencing factors. Social Work, 46(2), 115-124.