Winter 2018 Commencement Program

Winter Commencement December 15, 2018

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.

Order of Exercises Processional Allen Denard Quartet Marshals Daicia Price Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work Julie Ribaudo Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work Beth Sherman Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work Welcome and Introductions Lynn Videka Dean and Carol T. Mowbray Collegiate Professor of Social Work Keynote Speaker Jamie Mitchell Assistant Professor of Social Work Student Speakers Kristina Agbebiyi MSW Degree Candidate Gabriela Santiago-Romero MSW Degree Candidate

Presentation of MSW Graduates Readers Hooders Tony Alvarez Daicia R. Price LEO Lecturer Field Educator & LEOShanks Lecturer Trina

Associate Robert M. Professor Ortega, of Social Work Associate Professor Hooders Readers DanielHodge Justin J. Fischer AssistantAssistant Clinical Dean Professor of Social Field Education Work & Clinical Assistant Professor Kristin Seefeldt M. Antonio”Tony” Alvarez, Associate Professor LEO Lecturer II of Social Work Alumni Welcome Closing Remarks Judy Levick, Lynn Videka Alumni Board of Governors Dean and Carol T. Mowbray Closing Remarks Collegiate Professor Lynn of Social Videka, Work Dean Recessional “Hail to the Victors” Allen Denard Quartet Led by Anna Ladd, Auriella “A.J.” Lewis, Laura Nord and Maryam Tout Recessional Jordan Schug Quartet

“The Real Blue” (1998), Sam Gilliam, acrylic on birch plywood Twenty years ago the School of Social Work commisioned Sam Gilliam, an internationally acclaimed color field artist, to create an installation in our new Lower Level Atrium. For the commission, he created “The Real Blue” a construction of wood and cabinet hardware. Conceptually, the work speaks to the mission of social work, especially that of equity and diversity. The treatment of shapes, which shift as one walks about the space allow for surprising vantage points speaking to the intersectionality of identity.

Welcome to the Winter 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.

U-M Social Work graduates are 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 U-M. I encourage you to continue to learn and innovate throughout your career. 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.

Your education and values began long before you arrived at U-M. 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 a globally recognized University. 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

About Our Keynote Speaker Jamie Mitchell

Assistant Professor, co-director of the Gender and Health Research Lab

Dr. Jamie Mitchell is an Assistant Professor in the U-M School of Social Work. Her research focuses on reducing cancer and chronic disease health disparities for older African American men, and developing methods to improve communication between patients, their families and health providers. Next Avenue, a division of the Public Broadcasting Service, named Mitchell a 2018 Influencer in Aging.

She also serves as co-director of the Community Liaison and Recruitment Core of the Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research, which includes the Healthier Black Elders Center in Detroit.

In 2016, Mitchell was named the Student Union Teacher of the Year. She is an authentic and skilled facilitator, known for teaching the course Social Work and Social Justice where she creatively integrates social theory, relevant current topics and events, engaging activities and hybrid online content.

About Our Student Speaker Kristina Agbebiyi

MSW Degree Candidate

Kristina “K� Agbebiyi is a 24-year-old organizer and aspiring macro social worker from Kennesaw, Georgia. Born in Michigan, Agbebiyi often jokes that their first organizing campaign was the Lizzie McGuire campaign in elementary school. When Agbebiyi found out that their beloved Disney Channel show was being cancelled, they spent an entire week talking to their peers at recess about why they needed to sign a petition to get the show back on air.

Since that historic yet unsuccessful campaign, Agbebiyi has worked for various organizations such as Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity, Planned Parenthood and GetEQUAL. They have served as an intern for organizations including Lutheran Services of Georgia, the Kennesaw State Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth, Avalon Housing and the Corner Health Center. They have participated as a mentee and mentor for Young People For, a national progressive fellowship where they later returned as an Alumni Trainer.

In 2017, they graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Human Services: Nonprofit Administration from Kennesaw State University, where they earned the Outstanding Graduate Award from the College of Health and Human Services. In 2018, Agbebiyi was elected as Student Union Vice President, where they were given the opportunity to create and co-lead an annual racial justice conference called Building Power: Organizing Effectively Against White Supremacy. Also in 2018, Agbebiyi was selected as the National Association of Social Workers Michigan Student of the Year for the University of Michigan.

After graduation, Agbebiyi plans to move to Brooklyn, New York to continue their racial justice work. They would like to thank all of their friends, peers, co-organizers, professors, mentors and most importantly their family for making today possible.

About Our Student Speaker Gabriela Santiago-Romero MSW Degree Candidate

Gabriela Santiago-Romero is an immigrant from Mexico and a lifelong southwest Detroit resident. She is graduating with her master’s degree in Social Policy and Evaluation with a focus on Community and Social Systems. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in International Business from the University of Detroit Mercy. Santiago-Romero is a proud Mercy High School alumna.

She is a community activist and organizer who has expansive experience working for Detroit nonprofits and local government.

She ran the Girls Making Change program as her field placement with State Representative Stephanie Chang. The program builds a pipeline of amazing young women of color to become activists and gives them the training they need to one day run for office. Santiago-Romero devoted a lot of her time to leading as President of the School of Social Work’s Student Union.

She hopes to continue to advocate for basic human rights, to educate young people on the many ways they can breakdown systems and to organize her community.

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 Winter 2018 graduating class.

Platform Party Timothy Colenback Assistant Dean for Student Services Daniel Fischer Assistant Dean of Field Education and Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work Barbara Hiltz MSW Program Director and Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work RogĂŠrio Meireles Pinto Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Social Work Mary Ruffolo Associate Dean for Educational Programs and Rosemary A. Sarri Collegiate Professor of Social Work

Marshals Daicia Price Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work Julie Ribaudo Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work Beth Sherman Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work MSW Hooders Justin Hodge Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work Kristin Seefeldt Associate Professor of Social Work MSW Readers Tony Alvarez LEO Lecturer Trina Shanks Associate Professor of Social Work Alumni Board of Governors Representative Amanda (Amy) L. Good Chief Executive Officer Alternatives for Girls Sign Language Interpreters Elizabeth Clarno Tom Lam

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.

Master of Social Work Degree Candidates Aj Aaron Adwoa Achampong Kristina Agbebiyi Zeinab Almanfi Molly Applin Joel Arnold Kathryn Ashin Christina Baello Bradley Baker Maegan Barber Rachel Beehler Sarah Berkey Madeleine Blum Delandra Boone Anna Boratyn Ronald Broadley Kaylee Brown Hannah Burns Doris Carter Mark Casas Rosa Castanon Rogelio Castro John Cherette Sharmista Chintalapalli Lauren Choi Mikala Cox Sarah Cullen Margo Dalal

Erica Davenport Dawn Davis Reon Dawson Ryan Decook Amanda Delmonico Hanna Demarcus Reid Depowski Maria Diaz Bethany Diedrich John Doroba Fanta Doumbia Aaron Drenth Lillian Dugan Sarah Eicher Biannca Fisher Shana Frankel Maddi Gale-Laman Katharine Gamalski Roxana Gamble Alexandra Garcia Adele Gardynik Katherine Garret Keith Geiselman Sarah Gettel Caitlin Gibbons Kaitlyn Giza Rachel Goldstein Allison Gorine Sydney Grant Jennifer Gresens

MSW Graduates (cont.)

Edward Grumeretz Jessica Gwilliam Rana Haidar-Ahmad Tim Halstead Emily Handy Haley Harper Karissa Heino Olivia Herbert Dominique Hollis Tiffany Hong Brooke Houser Abigail Hudson Ashley Hughes Amal Ismail LeTorrian Jackson Shelby Jacquemain Jeffery Johnson Dan Jones Roshanda Joseph Annetta Joyce Hannah Kanter Lindsay Keenist Ariel Kennedy Madeline Kenny Drew Kersjes Tahrima Khanom Alexander Kime Julie Klein Rachel Kornilakis Rachel Kosla Anya Krasnov Kelsey Krumrey Camden Krusec Change Kwesele Ha Young Kwon Stephanie Lake Sarah Laninga Katherine Larrabee

Anne Leo Sasha Lizarraga Sesma Kavitha Lobo Erin Loomer Alexis Lowe Autumn Luginbuhl Jenna Mahoney Marwa Mallah Joseph Mandwee Mackenzie Mann Mallory Mareski Mary Martella Magdalena Martinez Melissa Masserang Gabrielle McDaniel Cathleen McGovern Maxwell McIlroy Mary McMahon Molly McMahon Barbara Mendez Campos Maryann Meyers Alexis Miller Rachel Miller Trelle Miller-Freeny Anitha Mohan Jevon Moore Geena Moreno Jeffrey Morris Bianca Nelson Krystyn Niescier Yawen Ning Kristen Northrup Aaron O’Brien Akintunde Oluwadare Alejandra Orellana-Portillo Geena Osowski Shannon Palmer Aimee Papineau

MSW Graduates (cont.)

Janna Parke Lindsay Passmore Krupa Patel Catherine Perez Iliani Perez Rodriguez Caroline Perkins Sarah Petrovich Jaedah Pickens Maria Pineda Hannah Poore Julia Popper Michael Prisbe Marisa Quiery Mubeen Qureshi Noreen Raja Natalie Ramos Latha Ravi Kelly Reszka Joel Reyes - Klann Catalina Rios Richard Robles Philip Romanow Renee Romer Hannah Roughgarden Jasmine Rubio Neil Sacks Andria Salinas Sydnee Sallan Laura Sanchez Gabriela Santiago-Romero Brandon Savage Taryn Schiff Emily Schimeck Carolyn Scorpio Debora Shapiro Jaresa Shasteen Emily Siegel Jacob Singer

Amanda Smith Jasmine Smith Kayla Smith Nathaniel Smith Christian Snyder Marina Sterngold Joshua Strode Caitlyn Sultana Yihang Sun Adam Swendroski Anne Taccolini Tishanna Taylor Sara Thane Feliesha Thomas Maya Thottakath Michael VanderWaal Allie Vansickle Jonathan Vantreeck Christina Vargas Elizabeth Vestal Yesenia Villanueva Catherine Wahl Brinn Walerych Jessica Warpup Jenna Weintraub Holly Wickham Kara Williams Jiani Wu Christie Young Katharine Yugo Christine Zanotelli Lin Zhu Maura Zindler

Dual Degree Graduates Master of Social Work and Educational Studies Sharonda Chaney Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor Claire Nagel Annemarie Yaldo Master of Social Work and Public Health Susannah Feinstein Sydney Garlick Emma Klein Kari Nilsen Jill Schaefer Emily Sheridan-Fulton Yeri Shon Darin Smith Master of Social Work and Public Policy Anne Lombardi Sruthi Naraharisetti Master of Social Work and Science in Information Benjamin Flanagan

School of Social Work Leadership Dean

Lynn Videka Dean and Carol T. Mowbray 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 Professor of Social Work Mary Ruffolo Associate Dean for Educational Programs and Rosemary A. Sarri Collegiate Professor of Social Work

Assistant Deans

Timothy Colenback Assistant Dean for Student Services Daniel J. Fischer Assistant Dean of Field Education and Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work

Candace Terhune-Flannery Assistant Dean for Administration and Operations

Directors

William Elliott, III Director, Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Social Science and Professor of Social Work Lorraine M. GutiĂŠrrez, Director, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Professor of Social Work Barbara Hiltz MSW Program Director and Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work Katie Richards-Schuster Director of Undergraduate Minor Programs and Assistant Professor of Social Work Michelle Woods, MSW Student Career Services Director

School of Social Work Faculty Governing Faculty

Cristina Bares James Blackburn Lindsay Bornheimer Joshua Brewster Rona Carter Edward Chang Linda Chatters Barry Checkoway David Córdova Katie Doyle Ruth Dunkle Abigail Eiler William Elliott III James Ellis Katrina Ellis Daniel Fischer Terri Friedline Larry Gant Karla Goldman Odessa Gonzalez Benson Andrew Grogan-Kaylor Lorraine Gutiérrez Karen Harlow-Rosentraub Jaclynn Hawkins Todd Herrenkohl Barbara Hiltz Joseph Himle Justin Hodge Shanna Kattari 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 Daicia Price Beth Glover Reed Julie Ribaudo Katie Richards-Schuster Mary Ruffolo Joseph Ryan Sue Ann Savas Katie Schultz Kristin Seefeldt H. Luke Shaefer Trina Shanks Beth Sherman Matthew Smith Karen Staller Robert Joseph Taylor Richard Tolman Lynn Videka Daphne Watkins Addie Weaver Daniela Wittmann Xiaoling Xiang Mieko Yoshihama Bradley Zebrack Roland Zullo

School of Social Work Faculty (cont.)

Field Faculty

Susan Crabb Mary Eldredge Rachel Naasko Stacy Peterson Leigh Robertson Yatesha Robinson William Vanderwill

Transitional Postdoctoral Fellows Lisa Fedina Ashley Lacombe-Duncan Ethan Park Anao Zhang

Lecturers

M. Antonio Alvarez Angela Ayoub Hillary Baldwin-Steller Richard Barinbaum Alethia Battles Asmaa Boulehia Daphne Brydon Joseph Cafferty Jeff Capobianco Theadia Carey Adisa Chaney Roxanne Chang Ellen Chute G. Warren Clark Diana Copeland Priscilla Cortez Susan Crabb Colleen Crane Julie Cushman

Lauren Davis Sean de Four Daniel DeSena Bonnie Dockham Leslie Dubin Michelle Duprey Mary Eldredge Janice Firn Emily Fitzgerald Mariko Foulk Sarah Fraley Joseph Galura Terri Gilbert Tammie Glenn Elizabeth Haas JoAnn Heap Jennifer Heckendorn Alessandra Iaderosa Kathryn Irish Helen Kaplan Leonardo Kattari Erin Khang Missy Kloos Susan Klumpner Heather Knauer Kristine Konz Jamie LaLonde Marlanna Landeros Carrie Landrum Moses Lee Laura Lokers Kathleen Lopez Tina Louise Carryn Lund Erin Martinez-Gilliard Rachel Naasko

School of Social Work Faculty (cont.)

Darlene Nichols Laura Nitzberg Maureen Okasinski Ana Catalina Ormsby Rosalva Osorio Prem Pahwa Stacy Peterson Lindsay Pietruck Claudia Kraus Piper Mari Jan Pitcher Susan Radzilowski Ebony Reddock Carrie Rheingans Carmela Richardson Osvaldo Rivera Leigh Robertson Yatesha Robinson Monica Sampson Laura Sanders Susan Smith Amy Stern Rabindar Subbian James Svensson Relando Thompkins William Vanderwill Bianka VonKulajta Allan Wachendorfer Scott Weissman Erik Wessel Stephen Wiland Amber Williams Laura Yakas Candace Ziglor

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 Berit Ingersoll-Dayton 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

SSW Alumni Board of Governors

Thaddeus A. Jabzanka, ‘11 Board President Complex Care Manager U-M Med School Population Health Summer M. Berman, ’04 Board Vice President Director Fresh Start Clubhouse Francine B. Farmer, ’99 Board 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 Lauren Davis, ‘07 Program Manager Diversity, Equity and Inclusion U-M School of Social Work Jennifer M. Gardner, ’04 Quality Performance Specialist Blue Cross Complete of Michigan Amanda (Amy) L. Good, ’80 Chief Executive Officer Alternatives for Girls

Judy K. Levick, ’82 Retired, 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 Financial Advisor Sigma Financial Corporation Kelly E. Pearson, ‘12 Donor Relations Officer Institutional Giving The Resurrection Project Victoria (Vicki) A. Poleni, ’91 Behaviorist Spectrum Health Medical Group Helen D. Starman, ’90 Chief Development Officer Food Gatherers 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 MeShon S. Watkins, ’08 Senior Advisor AARP Clifford (Cliff) C. Yee, ’05 Director of Youth Programs Coro Northern California Susan Himle-Wills, ‘79 Staff (ex-officio)

Graduation Planning Committee

Debra K. Mattison Faculty Chair Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work Caitlin Cole MSW Degree Candidate Tim Colenback Assistant Dean for Student Services (ex officio) Katrina Ellis Assistant Professor of Social Work

U-M Board of Regents Michael J. Behm, Grand Blanc Mark J. Bernstein, Ann Arbor Shauna Ryder Diggs, Grosse Pointe Denise Ilitch, Bingham Farms Andrea Fischer Newman, Ann Arbor Andrew C. Richner, Grosse Pointe Park Ron Weiser, Ann Arbor Katherine E. White, Ann Arbor Mark S. Schlissel, ex officio

Special Thanks to:

Jenna Fiore MSW Degree Candidate

SSW Dean’s Office

Kelly Geelan MSW Degree Candidate

SSW Career Services Office

Michelle Gorton Student Services, Office Manager (ex officio) Tamara Havermahl Associate Director of Marketing and Communications Susan Himle-Wills Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations Ilana Woronoff MSW Degree Candidate Erin Zimmer Associate Director for Student Services (ex officio)

SSW Office of Student Services SSW Communications SSW Development and Alumni Relations

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 the ceremony in the Michigan League ballroom on the second floor of the Michigan League.