Margarita Artavia joined the faculty of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work in 1994.  She teaches courses for Integrative Learning for Advanced Social Work Practice, and serves a co-coordinator for the practicum placement process of students in the adult mental health and wellness track. Artavia conducts professional training seminars and workshops for mental health professionals, administrators and student interns from diverse professions on various topics including communication, culture, self-reflection and cultural humility.

Since 2016, Artavia has held a joint appointment with the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, where she reviews and oversees critical elements of the associated Social Work MSW Educational Internship Program.  She co-facilitates teaching modules for the behavioral dentistry course, and is an active facilitator for the Interprofessional Education Program (IPE) at USC. She also conducts trainings for dental students, pediatric residents, faculty and staff.

Prior to USC, Artavia served as coordinator at the Inter-Professional Initiative in South Central Los Angeles, and as an external field instructor for the Interdisciplinary Project working with graduate and doctoral students from multiple USC schools serving at-risk children and their families in urban centers. Artavia was a medical social worker for the Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center for 15 years, serving as chair for the center’s Domestic Violence Project. She is also the former director of mental health services for the Venice Family Clinic, and was a psychiatric social worker for the Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic.

Artavia is a two-time recipient of the Jane Addams Faculty Award, in 2010 and 2020, in recognition of academic, administrative and moral support to students. She is a recipient of the Hutto Patterson Foundation Distinguished Faculty Award, in 2012, for teaching excellence. In 2019, she received the Leadership and Creativity Award, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to enhancing the visibility and reputation of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.