Winter 2024 Commencement by University of Michigan School of Social Work

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.

Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that the University of Michigan, named for Michigami, the world’s largest freshwater system and located in the Huron River watershed, was formed and has grown through connections with the land stewarded by Niswi Ishkodewan Anishinaabeg --the Three Fires People, who are the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi--along with their neighbors, the Seneca, Delaware, Shawnee, and Wyandot nations.

Order of Exercises

Processional

Jordan Schug Quartet

Marshals

Erin Khang

Director of Field Education and Clinical Assistant Professor of Social Work

Julie Ribaudo

Clinical Professor of Social Work

Nitesh Singh Field Faculty and LEO Lecturer

Paige Walker LEO Lecturer

Welcome and Introductions

Beth Angell

Dean and Professor of Social Work

Keynote Speaker

Jenny Sloan, MSW ’09

Director of Clinical Services at Starr Commonwealth

Student Speakers

Katherine Kelly

MSW Degree Candidate

Shreeja Vachhani

MSW Degree Candidate

Presentation of MSW Graduates

Justin Hodge

Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work

Sue Ann Savas

Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work

Hooders

Barb Hiltz

MSW Program Director & Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work

Daicia Price DEI Director & Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work

Closing Remarks

Beth Angell

Dean and Professor of Social Work

Recessional

Jordan Schug Quartet

Cover Art

The Real Blue, 1998

Sam Gilliam b. 1933-2022

Sam Gilliam is one of the great innovators in postwar American painting. He emerged from the Washington, D.C. scene in the mid 1960s with works that elaborated upon and disrupted the ethos of Color School painting. Gilliam abandoned the traditional frames and stretchers used in painting. Instead he chose to loosely drape and suspend his paint stained canvases from the walls and ceiling.

Gilliam’s The Real Blue is a four-piece ceiling installation commissioned for the School of Social Work’s lower level and is a centerpiece of its art collection.

Dear Graduates,

Congratulations! We are thrilled to celebrate your hard work and dedication together with your friends, families and loved ones.

In pursuit of your MSW, you have gained the skills, knowledge and training to make a difference in the lives of others. You are effective, practiced facilitators and leaders who know how to take a stand, address injustice and engage the community. As you begin the next chapter of your lives, remember that education is a lifelong process. Keep in touch with your faculty and classmates and keep listening and learning from your clients and colleagues.

University of Michigan social work graduates have a reputation for their expertise, dedication and achievement. Today you join 17,000+ alumni who lead the field as policymakers, agency directors and foundation leaders, who improve lives as accomplished and effective social workers. We look forward to hearing how you apply your talents for the good of people and communities.

You have earned the term “the leaders and best.” On behalf of the Michigan Social Work community, I wish you every success as you reach out, raise hope and change society.

Go Blue,

Beth Angell Dean and Professor of Social Work

About Our Keynote Speaker

Jenny Sloan, MSW ’09

LMSW, CTRT, CTRP-C

Jenny Sloan has served children and families in the fields of education and social work for 25 years. She currently serves as the Director of Clinical Services at Starr Commonwealth.

Sloan completed her MSW at the School in 2009, and began providing home-based therapy for children and families referred through the Child Welfare Department in Wayne County. She then joined the clinical team at a high-secure, residential treatment center, where she treated youth adjudicated of violent felony and sex offenses. Over her decade-long tenure with that agency, Sloan championed the integration of trauma-informed care as a lead contributor to therapeutic programming and development. Throughout her career, she has provided supervision to clinicians, served as a field instructor and conducted extensive training for a wide variety of audiences including employees, community stakeholders, law enforcement and first responders, among others.

Sloan holds certifications as a trauma practitioner and trainer, and in core supervision through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She serves as a reflective supervisor and consultant to novice and evolving clinicians and supervisors, both within her agency roles and in private practice, and has remained a persistent student and collaborator with leading innovators in the field.

She began her career as a music educator in the Detroit Public Schools system, where she taught general and instrumental music and was the director of award-winning instrumental music programs.

About Our Student Speaker

Katherine Kelly, MSW ’24

Before beginning her Master of Social Work, Katherine earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Kinesiology from William & Mary. During her studies, she interned at a disability services organization in Dublin, Ireland, which deepened her passion for social work. She later conducted research on the virtual dissemination of therapeutic self-help techniques, focusing on mental health apps and creating video resources. Most recently, Katherine completed an internship at the DBT Institute of Michigan, providing therapy to groups and individuals. Outside of her professional pursuits, Katherine is an avid runner who recently completed a half marathon and a swing dance enthusiast who enjoys connecting with others through movement. She is now excited to move to the Washington, DC area to work as a mental health therapist, continuing her dedication to promoting mental health and well-being.

About Our Student Speaker

Shreeja Vacchani, MSW ’24

Shreeja Vachhani (she/her) grew up in Gujarat, India, where her parents, Dr. Arti and Dr. Sandip Vachhani, instilled in her the values of service, compassion, and resilience. After spending 18 years in India, she moved to the U.S. to pursue higher education, graduating with honors from Lawrence University with a Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience and Psychology. Her academic and research experiences illuminated her passion for understanding human behavior and addressing the mental health challenges faced by children and families. While researching early adversity and child brain development at Washington University in St. Louis, Shreeja discovered her calling in social work, inspired by the opportunity to create direct, transformative change.

Today, Shreeja celebrates earning her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan, fulfilling her parents’ dream of seeing her attend this prestigious institution. During her time at U-M, she embraced opportunities to grow as a clinician and leader through internships, research, and equityfocused initiatives. Shreeja is thrilled to take the next step in her journey as a post-MSW fellow at U-M’s Mary A. Rackham Institute, where she will further refine her clinical expertise in providing compassionate, evidence-based care to a diverse population.

Shreeja’s achievements are a testament to the unwavering support of her family, her partner Raahish, and her loved ones. Their encouragement inspires her dream of building a brighter, more just future for children, including a return to her roots in India someday.

School of Social Work

MSW Graduates

Kaitlyn Abeare

Gwyneth Ackerman

Alessandra Akers

Anna Alapatt

Sara Alhazaa

Nadia Asbahi

Annaka Askanazi

Ashley Attar

Isabelle Avery

Mia Bacigalupo

Karen Bahena Coronel

Wolfgang Bahr

Shelby Baker

Brynna Bashore

Sophia Beebe

Ashley Behnke

Shoshana Bittker

Sarai Blanco Martinez

Gabriella Boisineau

Lynette Bowden

Skye Bragagnini

Gaia Braman-Wanek

Hannah Braum

Kaisha Brezina

Mikaela Brzuchowski

Ramona Burke

Kira Buyers

Mackenzie Caksackkar

Julio Canino

Yinqi Chen

Ed Cieslak

Sophia Cinnamon

Annie Clark

Kayla Conn

Kyla Cummings

Scotty Darda

Hawraa Darwich

Carley Davidson

Nichole Devenney

Maretta Dewitt

Eve Dickman

Savana Doerr

Daria Donelson

Jeffrey Dorr

Jacob Douville

MacKenzie Dozier

Tonya Drew

Madison Eberth

Rachael Eisenberg

Adrienne Elias

Stephanie Evangelista

Najwan Fakhri

Lydia Farina

Ashley Fasseel

Mikayla Fellman

Raven Flores

Kelly Flores-Mendoza

Megan Ford

Aaliyah Foreman

Anna Forest

Carmen Galloway

Ethan Getchell

Emily Glover

Madeline Go

Ariana González Peláez

Jack Greenberg

Melanie Greenwald

Allaa Hadi

Michensey Hamlin

Cally Hamm

Kayla Hampton

Tessa Hampton

School of Social Work

MSW Graduates

Lilan Hao

Myracle Hayes

Katherine Holcomb

Liza Hollenbeck

Kimberlyn Hollon-Morseau

Logan Holmes

Kathrine Holmes-Schalk

Nicholas Holterman

Madison Holub

Leticia Horry

Amber Hughson

Kyla Hyatt

Kareem Isaac

Ally Jaster

Tashfia Jilu

Nayeli Jimenez

Brittany Kalmeta

Mina Kambakhsh

Erin Kelch

Kourtney Kelley

Katherine Kelly

Hope Kennedy

Justin Kim

Keaton Kinnard

Mia Klonowski

Maria Knott

Emma Knox

Spencer Korte

Emma Krug

Sidney Kwiram

Erin Lane

Alex Laursen

Sophie Le Pottier

Molly Leebove

Noelle Lehrke

Josephine Lepiors

Leith Li

Keely Lombardi

Lindsey Lunt

Grace MacFarland

Amber Mandel

Rachel Martin

Emilia Martinez

Cortney Maser

Jennifer Maxwell Manglik

Monique Meerbrey

Madelyn Mehrer

Luz Mendez Reyes

Lika Mendiola

Mackenzi Mier

Madelynn Mileski

Matthew Miller

Veronika Misek

Kirsten Miskowski

Teresa Mooney

Sadie Mrakuzic

Megan Mueller

Krista Mulligan

Natasha Mwila

Morgan Newell

Uzochi Nwauwa

Macauley O’Connell

James Oonk

Amber Opperman

Nina Orlowski

Safaa Palmer

Jayelin Parker

Grace Pernecky

Claire Peterson

Collin Petz

Logan Pickering

Asel Podolskaia

Spencer Popma

Allison Pouliot

School of Social Work

MSW Graduates

Lauren Pouliot

Kimberly Proctor

Kennedy Purcey

Olivia Rawlyk

Miriah Redmond

Brenda Nahiely Reza

Kaylee Rezkalla

Sage Ringsmuth

Kelley Rivenburgh

Mary Rockwell

Heather Rogers

Rachel Rohland

Preston Ross

Melissa Rutledge

Gayatri Salzer

Danielle Sarns

Camilyn Sauve

Rachel Savur

Espie Schneider

Christa Schwarz

Maisy Seale

Miyah Seckinger

Vanita Seed

Nicholas Selzer

Taylor Seymore-Hernandez

Mackenzie Shah

Tanya Sharma

Katelyn Shellenbarger

Shamonica Simon

Kimberly Sloan

Karen Smyte

Kristy Sowa

Tory Sparks

Cierra Steinbis

Abigail Steinmeier

Brendan Stephan

Anangabii Stewart

Faith Surface

Ezri Sutter

Maryam Syed

L Tantay

Houda Tarraf

Ataia Templeton

Casey Theisen

Jaymie Tibbits

Alexandra Touchstone

Camden Treiber

Amrit Trewn

Elena Tsantis

Gervon Tucker

Shreeja Vachhani

Caitlin Vance

Robin Voisine

Jenna Walters

Ingrid Wefing

Erin Weisz

Analeise Westby

Jake Wolok

Amanda Wood

Molly Wujczyk

Andrew Wylie

Chelsea Wysinger

Courtney Yaple

Kyle Zawacki

Justin Zhang

Kaitlyn Zhao

An Zhou

Brianna Zimmer