Saana Polk

Professor Saana Polk is a full-time lecturer and the Assistant Director of Practicum Education as well as the Pupil Personnel Services Coordinator in the School of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). She earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (1995) and Master of Social Work (2004) degrees from CSULB.

With more than 21 years of experience in social work practice, Saana has worked extensively in case management, serving pregnant and parenting teens, survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, adults with severe and persistent mental illness, and families at risk or in crisis. She has also served as a Healthy Start Coordinator with Los Angeles Unified School District and has coordinated CSULB’s School Social Work credential program for over a decade.

Her introduction to practicum education began nearly 20 years ago as a preceptor and later a practicum instructor for graduate students in school and community-based agencies. She advanced her expertise in field education while serving as Admissions Coordinator and Assistant Director of Field Education at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where she also taught practice courses and integrative seminars.

Since rejoining her alma mater in 2013, Saana has contributed to the School of Social Work through teaching, leadership, and service. She has served on numerous committees, including more than five years as co-chair of the School’s Diversity Committee. Her areas of expertise include training, group facilitation, practicum instruction, and school social work. She currently teaches integrative practicum seminars, drawing on her practice background in crisis intervention and school-based social work.