Spring Commencement April 28, 2018
Summer Commencement July 29, 2017
Our Vision A Better Society Through Individual and Social Change
Our Mission Advancing the social work profession’s vision and values, the University of Michigan School of Social Work seeks to develop a more equitable, caring and socially just society. Such a society meets basic human needs, eliminates social and economic inequities and empowers individuals, their communities and institutions to reach their aspirations and potential. Drawing on an interdisciplinary faculty within a public university seated in a region of enormous need and promise, the School is dedicated to education, research and service that fosters progressive change at local, national and global levels.
1
Order of Exercises Processional Jordan Schug Quartet
H. Luke Shaefer Associate Professor
Marshals Larry Gant Professor
Robert M. Ortega, Hooders Associate Professor Daicia R. Price Field Educator Stephanie J. Rowley & LEO Lecturer Professor, Department of Psychology and School of Robert M. Ortega, Education Associate Professor
Erin Martinez-Gilliard LEO Lecturer Beth Sherman Clinical Assistant Professor Welcome and Introductions Lynn Videka Dean and Carol T. Mowbray Collegiate Professor of Social Work Keynote Speaker Andrea Jenkins Minneapolis City Council – Ward 8 Student Speaker Lawrielle West MSW Degree Candidate Student Performer Olivia Strauss MSW Degree Candidate Presentation of PhD Graduates William Elliott III Professor Hooder Beth Glover Reed Associate Professor
Presentation of Readers MSW Graduates Daniel J. Fischer Readers Assistant Dean Sue Ann Savas of Field Education & Clinical Assistant Professor Clinical Assistant Professor Trina Shanks M. Antonio”Tony” Alvarez, Associate Professor LEO Lecturer II Hooders Alumni Welcome Jamie Mitchell Judy Levick, Assistant Professor Alumni Board of Governors Julie Ribaudo ClosingAssociate Remarks Professor Clinical Lynn Videka, Dean Closing Remarks Lynn Videka Dean and Carol T. Mowbray “Hail to the Victors” Collegiate Professor Led by Anna Ladd, of Social Work Auriella “A.J.” Lewis, Laura Nord and “Hail to the Victors” Maryam Tout Led by Zainab Farhat, Brooke Leach, Pamela Pensler & Recessional Sade Richardson Jordan Schug Quartet Recessional Jordan Schug Quartet
2
3
Welcome to the Spring 2018 School of Social Work Graduation Dear Graduates, Congratulations on your commencement! You graduate with the full credentials of a professional social worker with a degree from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. The faculty is proud of you and your accomplishments. Strong students and graduates are among the very best assets of our School. Michigan Social Work graduates are considered special and held in high esteem across the nation and in many sectors of social work practice. I encourage you to hold your head high with confidence in the skills you have learned and the experiences you have, based on your field placements and your studies. You have been educated to be a leader and we expect you to be ethical and confident innovators and leaders, in every type of practice you choose to pursue. As you begin your professional careers, remember that personal integrity and respect for all persons is at the core of social work’s values and mission. Remember, too, that lifelong learning is a core value of the profession and of the U-M. I encourage you to continue to be learners and innovators throughout your career and your alma mater is standing by to be a partner as you pursue postgraduate learning and a dedication to expanding your knowledge and skills throughout your career. Please join me today in recognizing the love and support that you have received from your family and loved ones. Your education and your values began long before you arrived at the University of Michigan. Be sure to show your gratitude to the people who have shaped you to be who you are today. Graduates, your future is bright and you are equipped with your degree from the globally recognized University of Michigan. Go forth … reach out, raise hope, and change society! With best wishes to you – the leaders and the best. Go Blue,
Lynn Videka Dean and Carol T. Mowbray Collegiate Professor of Social Work
4
About Our Keynote Speaker Andrea Jenkins Minneapolis City Council Ward 8 Andrea Jenkins is a writer, performance artist, poet, and transgender activist. She is the first African American openly trans woman to be elected to office in the United States. Jenkins has experience working in community development in North Minneapolis, and in delivering social services in South Minneapolis. Jenkins moved to Minnesota to attend the University of Minnesota in 1979 and was hired by the Hennepin County government, where she worked for a decade. Jenkins worked as a staff member on the Minneapolis City Council for 12 years before beginning work as curator of the Transgender Oral History Project at the University of Minnesota’s Jean-Nickolaus Tretter Collection in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Studies. Jenkins holds a master's degree in Community Development from Southern New Hampshire University, an MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University and a bachelor's degree in Human Services from Metropolitan State University. She is a nationally and internationally recognized writer and artist, a 2011 Bush Fellow to advance the work of transgender inclusion, and the recipient of numerous awards and fellowships.
5
About Our Student Speaker Lawrielle West MSW Degree Candidate
Lawrielle West hails from the west side of Detroit. She has a BA in English and studied Community Organization at the School of Social Work. West is known for her unapologetic readiness to address injustice, regardless of who or what stands in her way. She has planned, led and supported many protests, actions and critical thought—which have helped to amplify the experiences of those who are continuously silenced. Her future plans involve reimagining herself and helping other people of color to reimagine themselves and demand and fight for a world without white supremacy. Her passion for true diversity, equity and inclusion permeates through her involvement with Black Youth Project 100, where she activates change through a black queer feminist lens. She hopes to continue to fight for liberation through radical honesty, reallocation of resources, direct action, and transformative justice. Heather Wise, a SSW peer, describes West as, “A great asset to SSW because of her fierce commitment to intersectional and transformative social justice. She is an empowering advocate for People of Color, the LGTBQ+ community and folks who are differently-abled. Lawrielle embodies Nina Simone’s powerful ballad “To Be Young, Gifted, and Black.” She is an incredibly intelligent, inspirational, resilient and fearless leader in the community. I am grateful for her presence at the SSW and the way she shows up and fights for the rights and dignity of others. Lawrielle is a woman of great integrity who absolutely represents black excellence.” West has been blazoned with many awards, accolades, and speaking engagements, but the moments that have transformed her and resonated with her the most are those where she been able to be actively engaged with community members—specifically working with underserved communities, youth, social justice and leadership development.
6
About Our Student Performer Olivia Strauss MSW Degree Candidate
Olivia Strauss came to social work with a passion for building supportive relationships with youth. Before returning to graduate school, she worked in a variety of urban after-school programs and community centers. It was there that she began to notice the power of empathetic listening and the value of giving youth the experience of having their voices heard. Her roots are in theater education and her early work centered on using the arts to engage and empower adolescents. While at the School of Social Work, she has focused her studies on clinical work with children, youth and families. This past year, her field placement has been at a residential crisis shelter for youth ages 10-17 where she provided individual, family and group counseling. Strauss’s clinical work is centered on co-creating healing environments with youth. Her approach is attachmentbased, deeply trauma-informed, experiential, and wholistic. After graduation, Strauss hopes to continue working therapeutically with vulnerable adolescents. Currently, she is also a Minority-Youth Fellow through the Council of Social Work Education. She is honored to be performing an original poem today and she is beyond grateful to be apart of the University of Michigan School of Social Work community.
7
Graduation does not mark the end of your time with the University of Michigan School of Social Work
Stay connected by joining the Alumni Relations Committee and create opportunities for alumni engagement, through professional and social activities.
For more information contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations Email
ssw.alumnioffice@umich.edu Phone
(734) 763.6886 SSW Website
ssw.umich.edu/offices/alumni 8
Special Thanks Today’s beautiful graduation ceremony looks effortless and wonderful. In truth, many people devoted a great deal of talent, time and effort to make it a success. This ceremony would not be possible without the creativity, dedication and hard work of the students, faculty and staff listed below. Thanks to all listed (and any inadvertently omitted) from the bottom of my heart. I appreciate all that you have done to honor our Spring 2018 graduating class. Lynn Videka Dean and Carol T. Mowbray Collegiate Professor of Social Work Platform Party Timothy L. Colenback Assistant Dean Student Services Barbara S. Hiltz MSW Program Director and Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work Joseph A. Himle Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Howard V. Brabson Collegiate Professor of Social Work RogÊrio Meireles Pinto Associate Dean for Research and Associate Professor of Social Work Mary C. Ruffolo Associate Dean for Educational Programs and Rosemary A. Sarri Collegiate Professor of Social Work William Elliott III Incoming Director of Joint Doctoral Program and Professor of Social Work PhD Reader William Elliott III Incoming Director of Joint Doctoral Program and Professor of Social Work MSW Readers Sue Ann Savas Clinical Assistant Professor
9
Trina Shanks Associate Professor of Social Work
PhD Hooders Beth Reed Associate Professor of Social Work (hooding Elizabeth Armstrong) Luke Shaefer Associate Professor of Social Work and Director Poverty Center (hooding Vincent Fusaro) Robert Ortega Associate Professor of Social Work (hooding Adrian Gale) Stephanie Rowley Professor, Department of Psychology and School of Education (hooding Adrian Gale) MSW Hooders Jamie Mitchell Assistant Professor of Social Work Julie Ribaudo Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work Alumni Board of Governors Representative Lauren Davis DEI Program Manager & LEO Lecturer Sign Language Interpreters Andrea Chumley Lindsey Weigand Hail to the Victors Singers Zainab Farhat Brooke Leach Pamela Pensler Sade Richardson Marshals Larry Gant, Professor of Social Work Erin Martinez-Gilliard, LEO Lecturer Beth Sherman, Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work U-M SSW Flag Bearer Vina Hadyanto
10
11
Joint PhD in Social Work and Social Science Graduates The Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Social Science is an interdepartmental program in the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan. It awards a joint PhD degree in Social Work and one of five social science disciplines – Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology. It accepted the first students in 1957 and was the first program of its kind in the country. The Joint Doctorial Program in Social Work and Social Science at the University of Michigan is broadly acknowledged as one of the finest interdisciplinary programs in the world.
Elizabeth Armstrong PhD Social Work and Sociology “You Can’t Just Get Up in the Morning and Do It”: Bridging the Partner Violence and Substance Use Services Fields Dissertation Committee: Beth Reed, Elizabeth Armstrong (co-chairs), Jason Owen-Smith, Eve Garrow
Vincent Fusaro PhD Social Work and Political Science The Spirit of ‘96: States & the Implementation of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Dissertation Committee: Luke Shaefer, Vincent Hutchings (co-chairs), Charles Shipan, Sandra Danziger
12
Joint PhD in Social Work and Social Science Graduates (cont.) Adrian Gale PhD Social Work and Psychology Examining Black adolescents’ perceptions of in-school racial discrimination: The role of gender, socioeconomic status and perceptions of school climate on academic outcomes Dissertation Committee: Robert Ortega, Stephanie Rowley (co-chairs), Desmond Patton, Robert Jagers
Elise Hernandez PhD Social Work and Psychology Familia Matters? Social Support among Older Latinos in the United States Dissertation Committee: Berit Ingersoll-Dayton, Jacqui Smith (co-chairs), Toni Antonucci, David CĂłrdova
Elizabeth Koomson PhD Social Work and Anthropology Transforming Customary Systems: Talensi Women in Small-scale Mining Dissertation Committee: Letha Chadiha, Stuart Kirsch (co-chairs), Trina Shanks, Elisha Renne, Edith Lewis
13
John Mathias PhD Social Work and Anthropology Contentious Ethics: Creativity and Persuasion among Environmental Justice Organizers in South India Dissertation Committee: David Tucker, Web Keane Jr. (co-chairs), Karen Staller, Stuart Kirsch, Lorraine GutiĂŠrrez
Jessica Wiederspan PhD Social Work and Sociology How Bad Does it Have to Get? How the Ideology of the American Dream Persists in an Era of Economic Insecurity Dissertation Committee: Sandra Danziger, Alford Young (co-chairs), Elizabeth Armstrong, Sandra Levitsky, Karen Staller
Laura Yakas PhD Social Work and Anthropology Love in a Time of Madness: The Importance of Purpose and Belonging in Healing and Harnessing Madness Dissertation Committee: Karen Staller (co-chair), Damani Partridge (co-chair), Richard Tolman and Holly Peters-Golden
14
School of Social Work MSW Graduates The MSW program prepares students to become leaders in social work practice and innovation at the local, national and global level. MSW students work with faculty, researchers, community organizers and institutions to address poverty, inequality, mental illness, violence and health disparities.
15
Master of Social Work Degree Candidates Aroosa Ahmed Noran Alsabahi Nicholas Anastasia Johanna Ancheta Mariana Arguelles Alcazar Paola Arroyo David Awadalla Angela Bach Nicole Baker Alexis Barkin Samantha Bender Lauren Beriont Gabrielle Bowyer Rebecca Brewis Iris Joyce Candelaria Margaret Cease Jake Cinti Sarah Cissell Mikisha Course-Deason Candace Cullens Gloria Damian Almaraz Rebecca Dekorne Jacob Ehrlich Lisa Elliot Ashley Elliston
Zainab Farhat Mathilde Finnegan-Kennel Berkley French Erica Galvan Erin Garbarino Valentina Garrido Lopez Erica Golden Alana Goldstein Andrea Guerrero Emily Gutman Vina Hadyanto Heidi Hanlon Caroline Henderson Julia Henrikson Andrea Hill Leah Josephson Danielle Kaatz Molly Kalick Juhee Kim Ngwe Kien Kimbeng Belinda Matoaka Kipp Jonathan Kris Jason Lam Katherine Layton Brooke Leach Madel Leal
Cheng Li Christa Lindemer Valerie Maloof Charly Marin Crystal Matti James Murtha Pamela Pensler Jenna Pickman Leslie Pittman Vanessa Pruitt Adria Raggio Stephanie Ralls Sade Richardson Adena Rottenstein Zanib Sareini Natalie Schafer Ariel Schonfeld Alyssa Schutt Esther Shachar-Hill Zachary Shapiro Stephanie Skinner Christian Snyder Ilana Soumekhian Olivia Strauss Shawna Symons Shu Xin Tham Colleen Towler Michael Vanderwaal Samantha Voss Micalah Webster Lawrielle West Kiah Williamson William Wilson Kelsey Young Eli Zucker
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Jacob Ehrlich Erica Golden Alana Goldstein Leah Josephson Esther Shachar-Hill Ilana Soumekhian Eli Zucker Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health Zainab Farhat Sade Richardson Micalah Webster Master of Social Work and Master of Public Policy
Julia Henrikson
Master of Social Work and Master of Urban Planning
Heidi Hanlon
Master of Social Work and Master of Science in Information Jason Lam Mathilde Finnegan-Kennel Graduating School of Social Work students are wearing service cords, provided by the School of Social Work, for community service and learning, in recognition of their commitment to service in the community, the social work profession and society during their time in the MSW program.
16
School of Social Work Leadership Dean Lynn Videka Carol T. Mowbray Collegiate Professor of Social Work Associate Deans Joseph A. Himle Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Howard V. Brabson Collegiate Professor of Social Work RogĂŠrio Meireles Pinto Associate Dean for Research and Associate Professor of Social Work Mary C. Ruffolo Associate Dean for Educational Programs and Rosemary A. Sarri Collegiate Professor of Social Work
Assistant Deans Timothy L. Colenback Student Services Daniel J. Fischer Field Education Directors Barbara S. Hiltz MSW Program Lorraine M. GutiĂŠrrez Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Katie E. Richards-Schuster Undergraduate Minor Daphne C. Watkins Joint Doctoral Program Michelle Woods MSW Student Career Services Associate Director Erin Zimmer Student Services
17
School of Social Work Faculty Governing Faculty
Cristina Bares James Blackburn Joshua Brewster Linda Chatters Barry Checkoway David Córdova Kathleen Doyle Ruth Dunkle William Elliott III Daniel Fischer Larry Gant Karla Goldman Andrew Grogan-Kaylor Lorraine Gutiérrez Karen Harlow-Rosentraub Todd Herrenkohl Barbara Hiltz Joseph Himle Berit Ingersoll-Dayton Edith Kieffer Sherrie Kossoudji Adrienne Lapidos Shawna Lee Laura Lein Lydia Li Debra Mattison Jamie Mitchell Sandra Momper Emily Nicklett Robert Ortega Brian Perron Rogério Meireles Pinto Beth Glover Reed
Julie Ribaudo Katie Richards-Schuster Mary Ruffolo Joseph Ryan Sue Ann Savas Kristin Seefeldt H. Luke Shaefer Trina Shanks Beth Sherman Matthew Smith Michael Spencer Karen Staller Robert Joseph Taylor Richard Tolman Lynn Videka Daphne Watkins Addie Weaver Xiaoling Xiang Mieko Yoshihama Bradley Zebrack
Lecturers
M. Antonio Alvarez Diane Back Hillary Baldwin-Steller Asmaa Boulehia Daphne Brydon Joseph Cafferty Jeff Capobianco Adisa Chaney Roxanne Chang Ellen Chute G. Warren Clark Diana Copeland Keta Cowan
18
School of Social Work Faculty (cont.) Lecturers Susan Crabb Colleen Crane Julie Cushman Lauren Davis Sean de Four Mary Catherine Dennis Daniel DeSena Bonnie Dockham Leslie Dubin Michelle Duprey Abigail Eiler Mary Eldredge Rebecca Espitia Emily Fitzgerald Sallie Foley Mariko Foulk Sarah Fraley Joseph Galura Terri Gilbert Tammie Glenn Carolyn Grawi Elizabeth Haas JoAnn Heap Jennifer Heckendorn Justin Hodge Kathryn Irish Helen Kaplan Leonardo Kattari Shanna Katz Kattari Erin Khang Missy Kloos Kristine Konz Marlanna Landeros Moses Lee
19
Laura Lokers Kathleen Lopez Tina Louise Carryn Lund Erin Martinez-Gilliard Alice Mishkin Rachel Naasko Laura Nitzberg Maureen Okasinski Ana Catalina Ormsby Mary Ortega Rosalva Osorio Prem Pahwa Stacy Peterson Kim Phillips-Knope Lindsay Pietruck Claudia Kraus Piper Mari Jan Pitcher Daicia Price Anthony Provenzano Susan Radzilowski Janet Ray Ebony Reddock Carrie Rheingans Leigh Robertson Yatesha Robinson Laura Sanders Brittany Schuler Susan Smith Amy Stern Rabindar Subbian James Svensson Relando Thompkins William Vanderwill
Lecturers Bryan Victor Bianka Von Kulajta Allan Wachendorfer Scott Weissman Stephen Wiland Amber Williams
Emeriti
Paula Allen-Meares Oscar Barbarin III William Birdsall Letha Chadiha Sallie Churchill Tom Croxton Sandra Danziger Kathleen Coulborn Faller Sheila Feld Phillip Fellin Charles Garvin Rose Gibson Martha Gizynski Leslie Hollingsworth Srinika Jayaratne Harold Johnson Armand Lauffer Edith Lewis Shirley Lockery Susan McDonough Elizabeth Mutschler Thomas Powell Lawrence Root Rosemary Sarri Daniel Saunders
Brett Seabury Vivian Shapiro Kristine Siefert John Tropman David Tucker Diane Kaplan Vinokur Elizabeth Voshel Helen Weingarten
20
SSW Board of Governors Thaddeus A. Jabzanka, ‘11 BOG President Complex Care Manager U-M Med School Population Health Summer M. Berman, ’04, BOG Vice President Director Fresh Start Clubhouse Francine B. Farmer, ’99 BOG Secretary Contract Manager, Juvenile Division Wayne County Dept. of Children & Family Michael Ansara Jr., ’09 Director of New Ventures, Michel’s Inc. Rhea Braslow, ’76 Retired, School Social Worker Stevenson High School Cynthia A. Bridgman, ’02 Clinical Social Worker/Therapist William (Bill) Cabin, ‘04 Assistant Professor, Social Work Temple University Miriam A. Connolly, ‘04 Director U-M Blavin Scholars Program
Judy K. Levick, ’82 NICU Parent-to-Parent Coordinator Helen DeVos Children’s NICU Lauren M. Lockhart, ‘14 Program Manager American Indian Health and Family Services Joseph D. Mole, ’01 Executive Director Covenant House Illinois Kelly E. Pearson, ‘12 Resource Development Associate Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago Victoria A. Poleni, ’91 Behaviorist Spectrum Health Medical Group Helen D. Starman, ’90 Senior Consultant Richner & Richner Jennifer Wakenell, ‘10 Administrative Assistant for COO and Gift Processor for Development The Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan Anne G. Walker, ’92 Anne G. Walker LCSW Consulting
Lauren Davis, ‘07 Program Manager Diversity, Equity and Inclusion U-M School of Social Work
MeShon S. Watkins, ’08 Advisor Grassroots Advocacy
Jennifer M. Gardner, ’04 Quality Performance Specialist Blue Cross Complete of Michigan
Clifford C. Yee, ’05 Director of Youth Programs Coro Northern California
Amanda (Amy) L. Good, ’80 Chief Executive Officer Alternatives for Girls
School of Social Work Representatives Dean Lynn Videka (ex officio) Berit Ingersoll-Dayton, Faculty (ex officio) Susan Himle-Wills, Staff (ex officio)
21
U-M Board of Regents Michael J. Behm Mark J. Bernstein Shauna Ryder Diggs Denise Ilitch Andrea Fischer Newman Andrew C. Richner Ron Weiser Katherine E. White Mark S. Schlissel (ex officio)
U-M Executive Officers
Andrew Rosenberg Interim Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer Marschall S. Runge Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs Cynthia H. Wilbanks Vice President for Government Relations
Graduation Planning Committee
Mark S. Schlissel President
Debra K. Mattison Faculty Chair Clinical Assistant Professor
Susan E. Borrego Chancellor, University of Michigan-Flint
Aroosa Ahmed MSW Degree Candidate
Sally J. Churchill Vice President and Secretary of the University
Paola Arroyo MSW Degree Candidate
E. Royster Harper Vice President for Student Life Kevin P. Hegarty Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer S. Jack Hu Vice President for Research Daniel E. Little Chancellor, University of MichiganDearborn Timothy G. Lynch Vice President and General Counsel Jerry A. May Vice President for Development Kallie Bila Michels Vice President for Communications Martin A. Philbert Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Samantha Bender MSW Degree Candidate Zainab Farhat MSW/MPH Degree Candidate Sade Richardson MSW/MPH Degree Candidate Lawrielle West MSW Degree Candidate Tim Colenback Assistant Dean for Student Services (ex offcio) Michelle Gorton Student Services Office Manager (ex officio) Nyshourn Price Student Services Specialist (ex officio) Erin Zimmer, Associate Director for Student Services (ex officio)
22
Closing Song “Hail to the Victors” Hail! to the victors valiant Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes Hail! Hail! to Michigan the leaders and best Hail! to the victors valiant Hail! to the conqu’ring heroes Hail! Hail! to Michigan, the champions of the West!
Commencement Reception Our reception will be held immediately following graduation in the Power Center lobby.