Winter Commencement December 16, 2017
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.
Order of Exercises Processional Jordan Schug Quartet Marshals David Córdova, Assistant Professor Erin Martinez-Gilliard, LEO Lecturer Julie Ribaudo, Clinical Associate Professor Welcome and Introductions Lynn Videka, Dean and Carol T. Mowbray Collegiate Professor Keynote Speaker Tonya Allen, President & CEO The Skillman Foundation Student Speaker LaKeidra Bronner, MSW Degree Candidate Student Performer Calvin Montano-Maceda, MSW Degree Candidate Accompanists Scott Kennedy, MSW Degree Candidate John Wang, PhD Computer Science Candidate Presentation of PhD Graduates Daphne C. Watkins, Director of Joint Doctoral Program and Associate Professor
Hooder Karen Staller, Hooders Associate Professor Daicia R. Price Presentation of MSW Field Educator Graduates & LEO Lecturer Readers Robert M. Ortega, M. Antonio “Tony” Alvarez, Associate Professor LEO Lecturer Sue Ann Savas, Readers Clinical Assistant Professor Daniel J. Fischer Hooders Assistant Dean Trina Shanks, of Field Education & Associate Professor Clinical Assistant Professor Beth Sherman, M. Antonio”Tony” Alvarez, Clinical Assistant Professor LEO Lecturer II Alumni Welcome Alumni Ross, Randall Welcome Judy Levick, Alumni Board of Governors Alumni of Governors ClosingBoard Remarks
Lynn Videka, Closing Remarks Dean and Carol T. Mowbray Lynn Videka, Collegiate Professor Dean “Hail to the Victors” Led Baytemur, “HailbytoChelsea the Victors” Whitney Kastner-Besneatte, Led by Anna Ladd, & LaQueshia Auriella “A.J.”Ramsey Lewis, Laura Nord and Recessional MaryamSchug Tout Quartet Jordan Recessional Jordan Schug Quartet
Welcome to the Bicentennial Winter 2017 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 of 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 post-graduate 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
About Our Keynote Speaker Tonya Allen President and Chief Executive Officer The Skillman Foundation Civic leader and social justice advocate Tonya Allen is committed to making Detroit a healthier and more just and equitable place, especially for children. A Detroit native, Ms. Allen earned a B.A. degree (1994) in sociology and African and African American studies and M.S.W. and M.P.H. degrees (both in 1996) from the University of Michigan. Formerly a program officer for the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Thompson Foundation, she joined The Skillman Foundation in 2004, and has served as its president and chief executive officer since 2014. Allen founded and was executive director of the Detroit Parent Network and led the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Rebuilding Communities Initiative. She has helped develop education improvement strategies, including Excellent Schools Detroit, Michigan Future Schools, the Coalition for the Future of Detroit Schoolchildren, and Skillman’s Good Neighborhoods Initiative. Allen chairs the Campaign for Black Male Achievement and cochairs the Education Cities Executives Alliance. She is a member of the Oakland University Board of Trustees and serves on the Council on Foundations, Council of Michigan Foundations, Detroit Children’s Fund, and the Detroit Promise Zone Authority, among others. Allen, one of the first Detroiters to win a Marshall Memorial Fellowship, also received the Brick Award from Rolling Stone, honoring activists under the age of 30. Crain’s Detroit Business included her among its 40 under 40 honorees in 2007 and on its 100 Most Influential Women list in 2016. The Detroit News named her a Michiganian of the Year in 2015. The University of Michigan is honoring Tonya Allen with a Bicentennial Alumni Award for her dedicated leadership in developing large-scale initiatives to improve the well-being of Detroit children and Detroit neighborhoods.
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
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
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
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 Kristine Abuls Jessica Albee Shelby Andersen-Holt Camille Anoll Maya Arellanes Audrey Armitage Lindsey Atwell Kailey Baker Michaella Baker Jasmine Banegas Charles Banks Riley Banks Morgan Barr Leslie Barroso Chelsea Baytemur Rachel Beaver Brianna Belcher Sarah Binder Elizabeth Boggs Marcella Bolen Shawn Bost Gabriella Boufford Mikayla Bowen Linnea Brege Alison Brokke LaKeidra Bronner Samantha Brown
Myranda Bryan Christian Bryant Nicole Buccalo Gregory Bushman Jing Cai Charlotte Cally Catherine Calvo Lauren Caravello Sumeyah Chaudhry Grace Chun Shandiin Church Kelly Conen Erica Crlencic Heshan Cui Heather Dakki Jesus De Los Santos Alec Denuccio Calee Dieleman Jacqueline DiStefano Celina Doria Hope Doucet Danielle Dros Timothy Egan Stephanie Ellis Lauren Elsner Cao Fang Gabrielle Fitzsimmons Stacy Fowler
Alice Frazier Emily Gach Laura Ganzel Kristine Gardner Steven Gilpin Shannon Gilson Andrew Gladstone-Highland Erica Goble Amber Goodwin Kathleen Gorski Audrey Gray Karen Greene Laura Habrowski Matthew Hagelin Yasmeen Hamdoun Alexandria Hankins Heidi Hanlon Noelle Harb Madalyn Harvey Benjamin Haskin Caitlyn Hayes Sara Helmer Ashline Hermiz Kristen Hess Mira Heyneman Lance Hicks Schuyler Hillard Crystal Ho Holli Homan Joshua Horning Michelle Howard Bonnie Huang Jimmy Ivy Tess Jackson Nicholas Johnson Camille Jones Raven Jones Sarah Kamstra Rachel Kang
Stacey Kaplan Elizabeth Karikomi Whitney Kastner-Besneatte Scott Kennedy Kelli Keno Miranda Kharsa Kelsey Killeen Ngwe Kien Kimbeng Belinda Allison King Lara Kish Kelly Kolkmeyer Emily Kraynak Elizabeth Kreager Kelly Kundrat Melissa Laird Oceane Langreney Rebecca Little Nancy Lucero-Altamirano Cristina Maria Luzio de Moeller Blake Mackie Michelle Madison Brody Mantha Calley Marler Eden Martin Magdalena Marzec Shelby Massingale Jessica Matczak Lindsey Matson Mary Mattson Mandie Maurer Thalia Maya Brynne McCann Jazz McGinnis Katie Mehrer Suzanne Meller Max CastĂŠl Mendez Kelly Meszaros Allison Meyaard-Schaap Elizabeth Mitchell
MSW Graduates (cont.) Mary Mitroka Savannah Moffat Calvin Montano-Maceda Jasmyne Morgan So’Phelia Morrow Deja Mostyn Erika Murcia Kunal Namballa Mary Naoum Rebecca Newland Yang Ni Ashlee Norman Erika Okafor Julianne Opperwall Ashley Osentoski Breana Ostrander Monica Pepple Kristin Peterson Kristen Pickup Nicholas Pikaart Naomi Pomerantz Katherine Proudman Jessica Ramirez Laqueshia Ramsey Matthew Reader Colleen Reidy Lauren Rentschler Giselle Riker Jason Riley Anthony Romero Lindsay Samuel Carmen Sandford Troy Santangelo Jennifer Sattler Shannon Scavelli Jill Schaefer Talya Schlesinger Madeline Schlissel
Nathaniel Schmall Cassady Schrock Brittney Scott Valerie Shaffer Rana Shaia Ann Shapiro Samantha Sharrard Sura Shlebah Elaina Sims Larissa Siregar Daniel Slane Lauren Snow Noelle Stabler Kelsey Stern Paul Stewart Cierra Strawder Katie Street Emily Tarnaski Jennifer Todd Amanda Turner Nikea Turner Manuela Uribe Kevser Ustel Mai Ia Vang Michelle Vo Aundreah Walenski Lauren Warsinske Rosalee Washington Micalah Webster Katherine Weidmayer Brittney Williams Arielle Wilson Simone Wilson Tina Woods Elena Woodward Margaret Wyatt Felicia Wynn Michelle Yordi
Jewish Communal
Leadership Program Ann Shapiro Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor Lauren Snow Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health Kristine Abuls Camille Anoll Gregory Bushman Mira Heyneman Suzanne Meller So’Phelia Morrow Naomi Pomerantz Jessica Ramirez Jill Schaefer Ann Shapiro Rosalee Washington Micalah Webster Katherine Weidmayer Master of Social Work and Master of Public Policy Mary Naoum Master of Social Work and Master of Urban Planning Heidi Hanlon 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.
School of Social Work Leadership Dean
Lynn Videka
Associate Deans Ruth E. Dunkle, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs Joseph A. Himle, Associate Dean for Research
Mary Ruffolo, Associate Dean for Educational Programs
Assistant Deans
Timothy 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
School of Social Work Faculty Governing Faculty
Cristina B. Bares James A. Blackburn Linda M. Chatters Barry N. Checkoway David Córdova Jorge Delva Kathleen Doyle Ruth E. Dunkle William Elliott III Daniel J. Fischer Larry M. Gant Karla Goldman Andrew C. Grogan-Kaylor Lorraine M. Gutiérrez Karen S. Harlow-Rosentraub Barbara S. Hiltz Joseph A. Himle Berit Ingersoll-Dayton Edith C. Kieffer Sherrie A. Kossoudji Adrienne L. Lapidos Shawna J. Lee Laura Lein Lydia W. Li Debra K. Mattison Jamie Mitchell Sandra L. Momper Emily Nicklett Robert M. Ortega Brian E. Perron Rogério Meireles Pinto Beth Glover Reed Julie M. Ribaudo
Katie E. Richards-Schuster Mary C. Ruffolo Joseph P. Ryan Sue Ann Savas Kristin S. Seefeldt H. Luke Shaefer Trina R. Shanks Beth A. Sherman Matthew J. Smith Michael Spencer Karen M. Staller Robert Joseph Taylor Richard M. Tolman Lynn Videka Daphne C. Watkins Addie Weaver Xiaoling Xiang Mieko Yoshihama Bradley J. Zebrack
Lecturers
M. Antonio G. Alvarez Diane Back Hillary M. Baldwin-Steller Asmaa Boulehia Joseph Cafferty Jorge A. Casarez Adisa N. Chaney Roxanne J. Chang Ellen Y. Chute G. Warren Clark Diana G. Copeland Keta J. Cowan Susan K. Crabb Colleen E. Crane
School of Social Work Faculty (cont.) Julie D. Cushman Lauren M. Davis Sean J. de Four Mary Catherine Dennis Daniel T. DeSena Bonnie C. Dockham Rachel D. Dombrowski Leslie J. Dubin Michelle L. Duprey Abigail H. Eiler Mary A. Eldredge Rebecca Espitia Janice I. Firn Emily K. Fitzgerald Sallie M. Foley Mariko A. Foulk Sarah L. Fraley Joseph A. Galura Tammie B. Glenn Carolyn L. Grawi Elizabeth M. Haas JoAnn Heap Jennifer T. Heckendorn Justin D. Hodge Mina Hong Kathryn K Irish Thaddeus Jabzanka Debra M. Jozefowicz Helen F. Kaplan Shanna Katz Kattari Erin M. Khang Kristine M. Konz Marlanna Landeros Moses K. Lee
Laura M. Lokers Kathleen L. Lopez Tina Louise Carryn L. Lund Erin B. Martinez-Gilliard Alice Mishkin Rachel T. Naasko Kathleen Nicastri Laura J. Nitzberg Maureen M. Okasinski Ana Catalina Ormsby Mary B. Ortega Rosalva O. Osorio Jason M. Osstifin Prem K. Pahwa Kathryn L. Pelz-Davis Stacy L. Peterson Lindsay Kaye Pietruck Claudia Kraus Piper Mari Jan Pitcher Daicia R. Price Anthony M. Provenzano Susan Radzilowski Janet L. Ray Ebony C. Reddock Carrie A. Rheingans Leigh A. Robertson Yatesha D. Robinson Laura L. Sanders Sally A. Schmall Brittany R. Schuler Susan A. Smith Erica S. Solway Beth Spencer
Amy M. Stern Carolyn R. Stone Rabindar Subbian James Svensson Relando B. Thompkins William L. Vanderwill Bryan G. Victor Bianka M. VonKulajta Allan C. Wachendorfer John Weiss Scott J. Weissman Stephen R. Wiland Amber Williams
Emeriti
Paula Allen-Meares Oscar A. Barbarin III William C. Birdsall Letha A. Chadiha Sallie R. Churchill Tom A. Croxton Sandra K. Danziger Kathleen Coulborn Faller Sheila C. Feld Phillip A. Fellin Charles D. Garvin Rose C. Gibson Martha N. Gizynski Jesse E. Gordon Leslie D. Hollingsworth Srinika D. Jayaratne Harold R. Johnson Armand Lauffer Edith A. Lewis
Shirley A. Lockery Frank F. Maple Jr. Susan C. McDonough Elizabeth Mutschler Thomas J. Powell Lawrence Root Rosemary A. Sarri Daniel G. Saunders Brett A. Seabury Vivian B. Shapiro Kristine A. Siefert John E. Tropman David J. Tucker Diane Kaplan Vinokur Elizabeth H. Voshel Helen Weingarten
SSW Board of Governors Mr. Randall S. Ross, ’94, BOG Pres. Associate Director for Donor Engagement Community Foundation for SE Michigan Mr. Alan McBroom, ’77, BOG Vice Pres. Executive Director Ask Health Care Services, Inc.
Ms. Jennifer M. Gardner, ’04 Quality Performance Specialist Blue Cross Complete of Michigan Mr. Thaddeus A. Jabzanka, ‘11 Complex Care Manager U-M Med School Population Health Mr. Norman E. Lancit, ’98 Clinical Social Worker
Mr. Michael Ansara, Jr., ‘09 Director of New Ventures, Michel’s Inc.
Ms. Judy K. Levick, ’82 NICU Parent-to-Parent Coordinator Helen DeVos Children’s NICU
Ms. Summer M. Berman, ’04 Director Fresh Start Clubhouse
Mr. Joseph D. Mole, ’01 Executive Director Covenant House Illinois
Mrs. Rhea Braslow, ’76 Retired, School Social Worker Stevenson High School
Ms. Kelly E. Pearson, ‘12 Resource Development Associate Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
Ms. Cynthia A. Bridgman, ’02 Clinical Social Worker/Therapist Mr. William Cabin, ‘04 Assistant Professor, Social Work Temple University Mrs. Miriam A. Connolly, ‘04 Director UM Blavin Scholars Program Ms. Lauren Davis, ‘07 Program Manager Diversity, Equity and Inclusion UM School of Social Work Ms. Francine B. Farmer, ’99 Contract Manager, Juvenile Division Wayne County Dept. of Children & Family Mrs. Stephanie E. Francois, ’07 Advocate Supervisor CASA of Cook County
Ms. Victoria A. Poleni, ’91 Behaviorist Spectrum Health Medical Group Mrs. Anne G. Walker, ’92 Anne G. Walker LCSW Consulting Ms. Jennifer Wakenell, ‘10 Administrative Assistant for COO and Gift Processor for Development The Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan Ms. MeShon S. Watkins, ’08 Advisor Grassroots Advocacy Mr. Clifford C. Yee, ’05 Director of Youth Programs Coro Northern California School of Social Work Representatives Dean Lynn Videka (ex officio) Berit Ingersoll-Dayton, Faculty (ex officio) Susan Himle-Wills, Staff (ex officio)
U-M Board of Regents
Special Thanks to:
Michael J. Behm, Grand Blanc
SSW Dean’s Office
Mark J. Bernstein, Ann Arbor
SSW Office of Student Services
Shauna Ryder Diggs, Grosse Pointe
SSW Career Services Office
Denise Ilitch, Bingham Farms
SSW Communications
Andrea Fischer Newman, Ann Arbor
SSW Development and Alumni Relations
Andrew C. Richner, Grosse Pointe Park
SSW Doctoral Office
Ron Weiser, Ann Arbor Katherine E. White, Ann Arbor Mark S. Schlissel, ex officio
Graduation Planning Committee
Debra K. Mattison, Faculty Chair, Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work Lauren Elsner MSW Degree Candidate Whitney Kastner-Besneatte MSW Degree Candidate LaQueshia Ramsey MSW Degree Candidate Rosalee Washington MSW/MPH Degree Candidate Tim Colenback Assistant Dean for Student Services (ex officio) Michelle Gorton Student Services Office Manager (ex officio) Nyshourn Price Student Services Specialist (ex officio) Erin Zimmer Associate Director for Student Services (ex officio)
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 Michigan League ballroom on the second floor of the Michigan League. Hill Auditorium
The Michigan League
N UNIVERSITY
E. WILLIAM
GEDDES
CHURCH (CLOSED)
STATE
The Diag
S UNIVERSITY (CLOSED)
School of Social Work
P FOREST
Law Quad