SOCIAL WORK IN ACTION - FOCUS ON RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE - School of Social Work - MSU School of Social Work
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School of Social Work
SOCIAL WORK IN ACTION
Fall 2020/Winter 2021
FOCUS ON RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Everyone can play a role in
combating racism and
social injustice
Dear Friends of the MSU School of Social Work,
W
elcome to the MSU School to combat these injustices and work of our classes online. We are grateful
of Social Work digital to build a society where all are valued. to all our field partners for working
newsletter, Social Work with us to ensure our students can
in Action. Amidst the challenges of In the fight for racial justice, we all safely participate in field placements.
the coronavirus pandemic, we are have a role to play. Those of us with Our research efforts have continued,
taking the opportunity to change privilege have often been indifferent, albeit with modifications to ensure
from print and hope that you will like but this must change. There are lots safety of participants. All of our
the new format. We are in a season of of opportunities to become involved; community programs continue to
change, and we like to view change as it is important to do something. provide service, in an adapted way,
opportunity. For some, this may start with self- to ensure continuity of these vital
assessment and education; we need services.
I am humbled and grateful to you. For others, you are intensely
be leading the MSU School of engaged in activism and policy While 2020 has presented us many
Social Work. Dr. John Mooradian change; we need you. Maybe you challenges, we continue to grow. Your
transitioned out of the role in August are not protesting at the capital, support of the School is invaluable. It
and will retire next year. We are but you are writing letters to your ensures that we can continue to offer
so grateful for John’s steadfast Congressperson; we need you. Across excellence in research, teaching, and
leadership and wish him well as he the School, students, staff, faculty, service.
starts this new phase of his career. and alumni are engaged in racial and
As the School moves ahead in these social justice initiatives. Read on to Thank you.
challenging times, my hope is that we learn more about these efforts. I hope
will move from strength to strength. they will inspire you to get involved.
The focus of this fall’s newsletter is In mid-March as a result of the
racial and social justice. Racist coronavirus pandemic, all classes Anne K. Hughes, PhD, LCSW
violence, racism, and intolerance moved to an online format. For the Director
continue to plague our society. As health and safety of our community, School of Social Work
social workers, we must lead efforts we have continued to provide most Michigan State University
2 • Fall 2020/Winter 2021 socialwork.msu.edu
Removing the knees from their necks:
What social work must do to address systemic
racism in the profession and larger society
T
he COVID-19 pandemic asks us to advocate for social justice out activities of everyday life. These
stripped away our ability for those who are marginalized in our are not new behaviors; rather, the
to ignore the presence of society. ways in which these acts are being
systemic racism that has been exposed to the larger community via
hidden in plain sight in communities Particularly disconcerting is the social media are more recent.
across the United States. Systemic reality that a majority of Black,
racism permeates all of our social Brown, and Indigenous people fear Moving forward, there are several
institutions—education, healthcare, being victimized by police violence or ways in which social work can
criminal justice, employment, community vigilantism. As my recent become actively anti-racist, beginning
housing, and social services. More article* in the Journal of Community with anti-racist training that directly
troubling, however, is the implicit Practice underscores, compared addresses the history of racism and
if not explicit role of social work to White men, Black men are 2.5 social inequality in the United States.
in perpetuating systemic racism in times and Black women are 1.4 times
our society especially in the area more likely to be killed by police, Additionally, social workers must
of child welfare. This statement while a third of unarmed victims of be critical of their organizations
does not negate the work of many police violence are Black. Latinx and and the service delivery systems
social workers to mitigate the harm Indigenous men are 1.2 to 1.7 times that perpetuate racism, and work to
created by the unequal treatment more likely to be shot and killed by address them from the inside out.
and opportunities afforded to Black, police. Until anti-racism is achieved within
Brown, and Indigenous people in the profession, social work services
this country. Rather, it amplifies the Vigilante violence targeted toward and social workers will continue to
contradictions and duality that are Black, Brown, and Indigenous people perpetuate systemic racism. As I
inherent in a profession that has been is another example of systemic noted in the article, “Black lives (as
asked to serve as societal gatekeepers racism. This type of terrorism well as Brown and Indigenous lives)
to promote social control and involves White people harassing or will not truly matter until we act in
surveillance while our Code of Ethics attacking people of color as they carry tangible ways to ensure that they do.”
*https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10705422.2020.1823672
“Until anti-racism is achieved within the profession,
social work services and social workers will continue to
perpetuate systemic racism. As I noted in the article,
‘Black lives (as well as Brown and Indigenous lives) will
not truly matter until we act in tangible ways to ensure
that they do.’”
Dr. Anna Maria
Santiago
socialwork.msu.edu Fall 2020/Winter 2021 • 3
Racial and Social Justice Collaborative (RSJC)
moves forward with projects and activities
T
he MSU School of Social Work The RSJC facilitators created surveys
Racial and Social Justice to capture the breadth and depth
Collaborative (RSJC) was of the ways in which our School
successfully launched on August 6, community practices and engages
2020. The Collaborative has been with racial and social justice currently
working to develop networks within and aspirationally. The survey
our School community to support received responses from students,
and promote projects and activities staff, and faculty with many ideas and
that center on issues relating to racial areas of interest. In brief, the staff/
and social justice, including students, faculty survey results highlighted that
staff, faculty, and the community at our School community is invested
large. Many in our School community in supporting students to learn,
have embraced this charge prior to, understand, and practice skills to
and in response to, the inaugural call. address racial justice topics and
discussions.
The RSJC is actively collaborating
with faculty and student groups that Further, survey responses indicated
RSJC co-facilitators have emerged within our School that some of our faculty already
community and are focused on engage in racial justice topics
issues relating to Diversity, Equity, through research. Others expressed
Daniel Vélez Ortiz Bezil Taylor and Inclusion as well as racial strong interest in advancing
justice. We were active in bringing research support and tools as well as
access to an Anti-Racist Social facilitating discussions about racial
Work Summit event, sponsored and social justice.
by the School director’s office. We
are working to develop dialogue On the student side, survey responses
sessions on the topics covered at the showed a very strong interest to work
summit as well as those discussed on racial justice research projects,
at National Association of Social presentations, and coordinating
Workers–Michigan Chapter LEAD events. The RSJC is moving ahead,
Day. Further, the RSJC continues and we welcome your input. We can
to support and coordinate other be contacted via our email: sw.rsjc@
initiatives for this semester and the msu.edu.
academic year.
Working with the RSJC this fall are
Graduate Assistant Francesca Pratt
and Sophia Epstein (BASW).
Francesca Pratt Sophia Epstein
4 • Fall 2020/Winter 2021 socialwork.msu.edu
Colorism and racism
“Ending racism
A
s a faculty member and student in elimination of the social facets such
of social work’s Human Behavior as stereotypical thoughts and actions. vis-à-vis ending
in the Social Environment Indeed, all manifestations of “race” must
(HBSE) and advocate of colorism, I have be dismissed totally in psychological race will enable
advocated in solitude for ending racism preparation for the ultimate goal of
by ending race. ending racism per se. the healing
Ending race is a simple matter of Ending racism by ending race will not process to
science. Adherence to legitimate science completely eliminate human bias and/
and dismissing the contrived race will or discrimination as a matter of fact. begin as racial
serve the integrity of factual evidence Society will likely contend with such
necessary for scientific investigation. transgressions well into the foreseeable lines over the
Fortunately, as a byproduct of power and future. However, ending racism vis-à-
political operatives, the race concept has vis ending race will enable the healing years begin to
fallen from scientific and societal favor. process to begin as racial lines over the
Consequently, Georgia was the last state years begin to blur. blur.”
in 1937 to pass a eugenics race law.*
The historical traumas of African
However, while race is publicly American slavery and Native American Dr. Ronald Hall
denounced as a contrived scientific conquest absent race labels allow
fallacy, it continues as a function of for the purest and most scientific of
societal discourse. Therefore, ending intellectual debates by discouraging racial
race—still assumed a legitimate concept polarization. Under such circumstances,
by some—will necessitate its complete perpetrators of historical trauma as well
and total elimination from every facet of as victims of same, during debates will
societal infrastructure. Included are the be confronted by an equal potential to be
institutional facets such as law and policy, informed. Humanity may then be poised
the customary facets such as segregation to address colorism as a civil path to the
and religious affiliation, culminating elimination of racism permanently.
*https://indyweek.com/news/american-eugenics-movement-world-war-ii-part-1-3/
socialwork.msu.edu Fall 2020/Winter 2021 • 5
School faculty “SPARK
“As a team, we are Research for Social Change”
T
‘on fire with purpose he stars aligned for us in MSU Center for Gender in Global
August 2019. Independently, Context to expand our work globally.
and passion to we were researchers with We are so thankful for this support.
robust, federally funded portfolios
end violence, in all focused on the prevention of sexual A year after meeting, we embraced
violence. Heather McCauley, a the lab model and launched the
its forms,’ and we social epidemiologist, had spent SPARK Research for Social Change
the previous decade evaluating lab in the MSU School of Social Work.
center minoritized school- and clinic-based sexual SPARK is a values-driven research lab
violence prevention programs, with aiming to promote equity and social
populations in our emphasis on LGBTQ populations. justice through community-partnered
Joanne (Jo) Smith-Darden, a research, training, and practice.
work to reduce social worker and developmental
psychologist, brought to the School As a team, we are “on fire with
health and social over 40 years of experience in purpose and passion to end
training, practicing, consulting, and violence, in all its forms,” and we
disparities.” evaluating service delivery in a variety center minoritized populations
of settings, including conducting a in our work to reduce health and
decade of CDC-funded research on social disparities. Specifically, we
sexual violence among adolescents. are conducting a sexual violence
Dr. Heather Dr. Joanne (Jo) We arrived at MSU School of Social policy evaluation in Michigan
McCauley Smith-Darden
Work looking for a community of school districts, evaluating a social
scholars and practitioners to partner marketing campaign to promote
with to expand our reach and impact. community-level norms that
protect against sexual bullying,
The first time we met, we couldn’t and expanding the minority stress
speak fast enough. Our excitement model to include the experiences
grew as it quickly became clear that of transgender and gender diverse
we shared values around community individuals.
engagement and social justice. As a
result of those initial conversations, The SPARK lab comprises School
we began meeting weekly with a of Social Work doctoral students
national team of scholars to pursue Jamie Kynn and Jenny Tanis,
funding opportunities for our work. MSW students Cassondra Jones,
We also circled the state to introduce Brigette Thornes, and Lindsey
our shared vision and listen to our Rudden, and BASW student Lily
For more information about community partners’ needs. Giancaspro.
what the SPARK-lers are up
Between the two of us, we submitted Beyond embracing a lab model, we
to, please visit 17 grant applications within 14 embrace a team science approach
https://www.spark4change. months to address these needs, to our work. We see value in
often working together late into the bringing interdisciplinary voices to
com
night to convince funders to provide the table relative to an integrated
or contact Heather infrastructure for our collective work. and interactive quest for scientific
(mccaul49@msu.edu) Our efforts paid off. We are currently discovery and translational research.
principal investigators or co- And we acknowledge that our success,
and Jo (smit3167@msu).edu).
investigators on five federal research in large part, is due to our conceptual
projects totaling $7.2 million dollars understanding of shared leadership
and have received funding from the that is grounded in trust and a shared
vision.
6 • Fall 2020/Winter 2021 socialwork.msu.edu
For Alum Juan Flores,
“Making the
MSW degree set the stage
decision to earn an
for a purposeful life MSW changed the
S
ince graduating with my MSW, I accepted a position in the Division
I have been busy living my of Student Affairs and Services’ Office
trajectory of my
purpose and helping people. of Cultural and Academic Transitions
I credit much of what I do and my (OCAT).
life and helped me
success to my decision to pursue an
MSW from Michigan State University Accepting this position was a way
live my purpose of
(MSU). While in grad school, my for me to come home. OCAT was
field placement was in Migrant the first department on campus
preparing people to
Student Services’ (MSS) High School that made me feel like I belonged at
Equivalency Program (HEP), which MSU and invested in my growth and
live their best life.”
led to a graduate assistantship with development. Through their Student
the College Assistance Migrant Aid program door-to-door visitations,
Program (CAMP). they were able to reach me and Juan Flores (He/Him/His)
provided the recipe for success. Coordinator, Student Success
If it were not for this MSW & Community Initiatives, Office
program, I would not have made the I simply could not pass up the of Cultural and Academic
realization that higher education opportunity to do the same thing for Transitions
was my calling. It was with MSS other students, and after ten years
that I realized that what brought me in OCAT, I have been granted the
purpose and satisfaction was helping privilege to improve the student
underrepresented students transition experience and make MSU a place
and navigate the college environment. where students can thrive, especially
Helping students reach their goal those who come from marginalized
of graduating and earning a college communities.
degree was something I had always
made time for but did not realize that Through my role, I create programs
I could make it a career. that support educational equity
and student success. Through our
While in undergrad and at Student Success Initiatives, we
MSU, I always signed up to help have worked endlessly to close Annual Dia de la Mujer (DDLM)
undergraduate students and loved the achievement gaps that exist Leadership and Empowerment
it. Upon graduation with my between our underserved students Conference, creating a first-year
MSW, I applied to several jobs at and their counterparts. Every one Latino Student Mentoring program
different colleges and universities. of our initiatives works to increase that matches first-year students
MSU College of Natural Science persistence and retention and reduce with mentors, participation in the
was the first to call, and I accepted equity gaps and systemic barriers that Neighborhood Concept team where
the position of academic advisor. prevent minoritized students from I contributed to the design of what is
Through this job, I was able to thriving. now called the MSU Neighborhoods,
guide students through their serving on the Diversity, Equity, and
undergraduate experience so they Through this position I have been Inclusion Task Force on Climate and
could build experiences that made blessed with the opportunity to learn Policing, and serving as the new vice
them competitive for admittance into and contribute to making MSU a president for Diversity, Equity, and
professional programs like medical world-class institution. Some of my Inclusion Search Committee.
school, dental school, pharmacy proudest experiences have been my
school, optometry school, etc. work to advance racial and social Making the decision to earn an MSW
justice through my participation changed the trajectory of my life
The experience I gained at Nat Sci on various committees. My notable and helped me live my purpose of
was invaluable, and after two years, achievements are coordinating the preparing people to live their best life.
socialwork.msu.edu Fall 2020/Winter 2021 • 7
Social work students speak from the heart:
Choices, advice, and plans for the future
Alexis Johnson Erin Kramer
BASW ’21 BASW ’21
Why did you choose social work? Why did you choose social work?
I would love to say that I chose social work and I I selected the social work program as I began to take notice
knew from the beginning of my academic career that I that social work allows for one to learn about themselves,
wanted to be a social worker, but in all transparency, the world around them, and societal issues while striving
social work chose me! Admittedly, I have always for solutions and employing empathy to assist others,
wanted to work in a helping profession, and I happened organizations, and individuals. I consistently found
to realize that my previous major was not fulfilling myself drawn to the social work program during my initial
my need to pursue actual change, advocacy, and year at MSU while I was majoring in political science
relationships. With that information, I did my research until I ultimately decided to meet with an advisor about
and did not hesitate to switch to social work, and here the BASW program and transfer into it! Social work’s
I am! dedication to improving society in a sustainable fashion is
ultimately the reason I chose social work. The art of sitting
Do you have any advice for students currently back, watching, and striving to understand a community
enrolled in a social work program? or issue, talking with those within an affected group, and
Be yourself and be your own advocate; if you can’t working with a community to create change and come
advocate for yourself, how will you advocate on behalf together for a solution is what drives me. It’s about helping
of others? And most importantly, never be afraid to use people and hearing their needs from them.
your voice because someone, whether it be a professor,
teaching assistant, advisor, or even classmate, will Have any instructors had a particularly strong
always be there to listen to you and support you. impact on you?
The list of instructors and individuals who have had
What is your ideal job upon graduation with a a strong impact on me during my time at MSU is an
degree in social work? extremely lengthy one (I’ll try to keep this short!)—
I am so indecisive when it comes to my ideal job and Dr. Joanne Riebschleger has generously dedicated her
place in the social work realm. Sometimes I want to time to mentoring and teaching me over the last year as I
work with the survivor population (domestic, sexual, have been assisting her in her research. Dr. Riebschleger
etc.), other times I want to work within the prison continuously encourages and advises me; her passion for
system, focusing on recidivism and other interventions assisting others is infectious, and her desire to learn is as
besides prison, and then the next day, I want to work well. She is truly one of my favorite people to speak with
on racial disparities within labor and delivery. The and learn from! My field instructors, Brooke Stokdyk,
only thing that I know for certain is that I want to go to and Jess Scott-Nehls, have also strongly influenced
graduate school and earn my MSW. me with their modeling of advocacy skills and the care of
students. Dr. Lorelei Blackburn has strongly shaped
This was a hard question for me, but I wanted to share my ability to advocate for myself in the academic setting
my answer because I want other students to know that and strongly encouraged me to strive toward expanding
I do not have a concrete answer, and that it is okay; we my knowledge and working toward incorporating the
are all still figuring out our own dreams and path. intersectionality of issues into my work and education.
Nicki Moody has impacted me in a multitude of ways,
Do you have a favorite quote? especially in emphasizing the importance of providing
“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. oneself with grace and flexibility throughout life and
I am changing the things I cannot accept.” —Angela schooling. She emphasizes in our work the importance of
Davis creating a balance!
8 • Fall 2020/Winter 2021 socialwork.msu.eduErin Kramer - continued guidance is a must. Engaging in your learning by going
the extra mile—reading books relating to subjects you are
interested in outside of class, diving into your coursework
Do you have any advice for students currently will allow you to be a better prepared social worker!
enrolled in a social work program?
Maintain balance, reach out for advice, and engage in What is your ideal job upon graduation with a
your learning! Keeping a balance in your life between degree in social work?
education, work, and social engagements is always number Ideally, after completing my BASW, I plan to earn my
one priority. It leads to my mental health being preserved MPH and MSW and then work with the Department
and all aspects of my life being addressed. Reaching out to of Veterans Affairs on their health care programs and
your instructors and support system for help, advice, and resources.
Francesca Pratt
MSW ’21
Hello! My name is Francesca Pratt, and I am a second- demanding workload of being full-time mothers and high
year MSW student in the full-time East Lansing program school students. My deep passion and love for working
with a concentration in clinical work. Before beginning alongside Angel House’s amazing residents and clinical
my MSW journey, I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in staff motivated me to become a clinical case manager,
Psychology from MSU in 2017. My first field placement was which widened my capacity and skill set to support more
at Loaves and Fishes Ministries, where I learned so much teen mothers in an intentional way. Continuing to learn
about homelessness in the Greater Lansing area. This the residents’ stories and witnessing their strength,
experience allowed me to gain a newfound appreciation resiliency, and unending love for their families affirmed
for understanding how policy directly impacts the lives my commitment to clinically support families and pursue a
of the clients I will work with in a therapeutic capacity. It Master of Social Work degree.
displayed the need for clinical social workers to expand
beyond one-on-one interactions and advocate for policies Name one experience that has been impactful
and procedures at the macro level as well. This year, I during your time as an MSW student at MSU.
am placed at the Michigan State University Couple and Being a member of student organizations as an MSW
Family Therapy Clinic (CFTC), where I provide therapy for student has instilled in me the importance of integrating
individuals, couples, and families. Having the opportunity both advocacy and community organizing within my
to learn from such a supportive community of people at clinical-focused social work. The Student Advocates
the CFT clinic has empowered me greatly and made me for Basic Needs Security (SABNS) group is focused on
feel confident as a new therapist. After my graduation ensuring that the entire MSU community—particularly
in May, I hope to continue my education and become a administration, faculty, advisors, and staff—prioritizes
PhD candidate for the Couple and Family Therapy Clinic students’ access to basic needs. SABNS recognizes that for
through the Human Development and Family Studies all students to successfully graduate, they must, at bare
department here at MSU. minimum, have secure housing and food—necessities
that too many MSU students do not have access to, and
When did you decide to pursue a degree in social a devastating reality further exacerbated by COVID-19.
work? Our group also recognizes that basic needs insecurity
I decided that I wanted to pursue a degree in social disproportionately affects students of color, which has
work while working for Angel House, a residential home fueled our partnership with the School of Social Work’s
for teenage mothers in foster care. Angel House offers new Racial and Social Justice Collaborative to make our
services from individual therapy, to life-skill development actions inclusive and intersectional. By working together
groups, family reunification efforts, and above all, a safe with MSW and BASW students, our group is driven to
and compassionate community for its residents. For two research and roll out applicable action steps for the MSU
years as a direct care worker, my main priority was to community to improve communication and connectivity
holistically support the teen residents with balancing their with its students.
socialwork.msu.edu Fall 2020/Winter 2021 • 9“I feel very grateful and excited
about this opportunity. Becoming
Jessica Saba named
a CSWE doctoral minority CSWE Doctoral
fellow means that I get to join a
community of scholars coming Minority Fellow
T
from minoritized communities he Council on Social Work Education’s Minority
which is very empowering and Fellowship Program (MFP) opportunities support the
mission of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health
uplifting to me.” Services Administration to reduce the effects of substance
abuse and mental illness on America’s communities by
Jessica Saba increasing the number of individuals trained to work with
underrepresented and underserved racial/ethnic minority
persons with or at risk for mental health and/or substance
abuse disorders. The career goal of applicants must be to
provide leadership in practice, research, teaching, and policy
promulgation in government or private organizations serving
this population.
Doctoral student Jessica Saba was recently awarded
a fellowship in the program. “I feel very grateful and
excited about this opportunity. Becoming a CSWE doctoral
“Jessica’s major strengths are her minority fellow means that I get to join a community of
clear direction, her vision, her scholars coming from minoritized communities which is
very empowering and uplifting to me,” said Ms. Saba upon
creative and critical thinking, and learning of the award.
her courage. She is not afraid to
“Jessica is a wonderful student, and it’s been a pleasure
buck conventional ways of thinking
working with her. This fellowship is well-deserved
about research and where we as recognition for her expertise, commitment to social justice,
and plan of study. I am excited to continue to support her as
Social Work can do better.”
she develops as a scholar and advocate,” says Saba’s Doctoral
Study Chair Dr. Angie Kennedy.
Dr. Anne Hughes
10 • Fall 2020/Winter 2021 socialwork.msu.eduMonica Villarreal receives ACOSA
Outstanding Practitioner Award
T
he Association for Community interns from many disciplines via delivery model aimed at providing
Organization and Social the Flint Community Initiative, a one-stop, mobile, holistic health and
Action (ACOSA) has chosen community-University partnership. social services to vulnerable Flint
Monica Villarreal, MSW, for the This initiative engages students and residents in order to mitigate the
2020 Outstanding Practitioner community members in collaborative, deleterious effects of the water crisis.
Award, which “honors the significant community-driven projects that
contribution to a community help to expand community assets Additionally, through the use of
of a BSW or MSW level macro and contribute to a thriving future community empowerment strategies,
practitioner or group/organization. for Flint residents. Her leadership the Help Centers aimed to reduce
Nominees demonstrate outstanding of this initiative has ensured that social and racial inequalities via
contributions in an area of community Flint residents lead efforts and teach deliberate systemic change of
and/or organizational practice.” students how to be effective partners local services delivery systems.
with communities in need. She leads Monica supervised students from
Villarreal was nominated by Dr. by example and has contributed to three different universities who
Anna Maria Santiago, associate the professional development of participated in all phases of Help
dean for research and graduate future community practitioners. Center delivery as part of their
studies at the College of Social field placements. She continued
Science and professor of social work, Her work related to the Flint Water advocating for and providing water
and Dr. Anne Hughes, director Crisis and now the COVID-19 to homebound elderly and disabled
of the School of Social Work. Dr. pandemic underscores her residents long after funding ended
Hughes said, “Monica is a stellar outstanding contributions to for the Center; COVID-19 effectively
example of a community-committed community practice at the local, state, ended those services in March 2020.
practitioner dedicated to racial national, and international levels.
and social justice. She earned her Villarreal was an early community “Monica Villarreal’s work, particularly
MSW in 2017 but prior to that was responder to the Flint Water Crisis, around the issues of access to
a passionate community activist. serving on the Flint Water Crisis clean and safe water and reducing
She joined the Michigan State Resource and Recovery Committee social and economic inequalities
University School of Social Work for several years. As chair of the experienced by vulnerable
fixed-term faculty in 2018 as the Flint Advisory Board, she collaborated populations and communities,
Community Initiative program with local churches and numerous has contributed to a greater
coordinator and as a member of the community partners from Flint and understanding of these human rights
teaching faculty.” elsewhere to design and implement issues and identified better models of
the Flint Community Help Centers. community practice to address them,”
Villarreal shares her experience The Help Center design employed an stated Dr. Santiago.
with social work students and innovative and collaborative service
L-R Dr. Anna Maria Santiago, Monica Villarreal, and students from the 2019 Flint Community Initiative.
socialwork.msu.edu Fall 2020/Winter 2021 • 11MSW curriculum recommendations for change
I
n spring 2019, the School started an and promote social justice and discussions about strengthening
MSW curriculum inquiry process positive change. Curriculum in this community and the need for
with support from the MSU Hub context is not just coursework, but structural processes that allow for
for Innovation in Learning and everything that influences the student more inclusive participation and
Technology. We weren’t sure what experience. To that end, we were also engagement in the life of the School
to expect. We only knew that it had guided by a framework informed across all of our stakeholders.
been much too long since we had by three contemporary curriculum
taken a comprehensive look at our theory scholars, including: Recommendations were formulated
curriculum, and there was energy and with these two themes in mind, and
• A focus on pedagogical practices as
motivation for this work coming out relationships imbued with an ethics
prioritized recommendations emerged
of re-accreditation that we didn’t want of care (Nel Noddings). from student input. These include:
to lose. • Consistently include student voice
• The recognition that curricula are
complicated conversations that come in curricular discussions and
Honestly, I stepped into leading this decision making.
to hush or exclude the very voices
process with equal parts excitement • Shape curriculum content through
most invested in their outcomes
and trepidation. I was a bit afraid of (William Pinar). a social justice lens.
being sucked into conversations of
• A reminder that curricular plans are • Build a stronger sense of
course credits and alignment of course
always provisional and dormant; community across the School’s
objectives with CSWE competencies
they can be implemented by program offerings and ensure all
and whether content x belongs in
committee and institutions, but it’s students, faculty, and staff feel their
week 2 of course y or week 6 of course identities are welcomed, supported,
the work of teachers—their voices,
z. All necessary conversations, but not expertise, and passions—that bring and acknowledged.
where we needed to be right now. curricula to life (Ted Aoki). • Integrate more advanced content
into the curriculum.
Our process was driven by our With those perspectives in mind,
mission to educate students “for • Experiment with enhanced
we talked to students and faculty, pedagogy and practices and provide
ethical, competent, responsive, and reviewed syllabi, looked at what
innovative social work practice” more opportunities for students to
other schools are doing, and created practice critical skills.
schematics of our curriculum
• Prepare students to be strong
revision processes and the paths
writers in their field.
students take through the program.
“We are now figuring Our primary aim was to inform and • Make course outcomes and
evaluate structural changes to the objectives clear for students
out how to best move while continuing to meet CSWE
MSW degree program, but we also
from recommendations wanted to create spaces for energizing standards.
to actual change, and curricular conversations and develop • Help faculty and staff develop a
insight-rich, resource-light inquiry strong sense of the overall structure
I’m excited to keep the of the curriculum and program
methods that we can keep using so
conversations going.” that curriculum review and revision is options.
interwoven into the ongoing work of • Better integrate curriculum
the School. across sequences and between the
Dr. Amanda Woodward classroom and field.
Associate Director for Two big themes emerged. First, it • Better prepare our students to
Academic Affairs and Research quickly became clear that the overall become social work leaders and
and MSW Program Director
structure is solid, and the disruption innovators.
caused by major rebuilding of the • Ensure that our courses and
curriculum would be more harmful program promote well-being and
than productive. However, there balance in students’ lives.
are lots of opportunities to reshape
the curriculum within the current We are now figuring out how to best
structure and room for creativity and move from recommendations to
experimentation. Second, discussions actual change, and I’m excited to keep
of curriculum often developed into the conversations going.
12 • Fall 2020/Winter 2021 socialwork.msu.eduBASW students offered personal and
professional development opportunities
T
hroughout October 2020, were equally as thrilled to host an to host many more alumni panels
BASW students had the alumni panel with five BASW and and events that connect our BASW
opportunity to attend three MSW clinical and OCL alumni: students to alumni!
different in-house events focused Jessica Gray, Omolade Latona,
on their personal and professional James Bell III, Tyrone Bonds, If you are an alumni of either the
development that have included six and Gabby Papoulis. BASW or MSW program and are
BASW and MSW alumni. interested in offering guidance,
Our wonderful panelists offered connection, and mentorship to our
We were thrilled to host Sadie advice and guidance to students students, please take a few minutes to
Shattuck, a recent BASW graduate, about pursuing an MSW degree, fill out our survey (see link below).
who shared her insights about how to successfully approach the
applying to MSW programs during social work profession, and ways to We look forward to reaching out
our “The MSW: Tips, Tricks, and merge their passions and skills into a to you to be part of future alumni
Debunking Myths” event. And we thriving social work career. We hope events!
Left: Sadie Shattuck presenting her research poster at the
University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum.
“If you are an alumni of either the BASW or MSW program and are
interested in offering guidance, connection, and mentorship to our students,
please take a few minutes to fill out our survey.”
https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6VbfuhPzTbyjWQd.
Lily Burnstein, BASW Student Program Support Coordinator
socialwork.msu.edu Fall 2020/Winter 2021 • 13Recent hires, retirements within the School
School Toby Salzman, MSW
LMSW, joined
Anne Hughes, the School as a Kelly Fornwalt,
PhD, took over the Special Assistant LMSW, became
role as Director of to the Director and the Assistant MSW
the School in August Communication Program Director in
2020 succeeding Dr. Specialist in 2003. August 2020 after
John Mooradian. Dr. Salzman left in May 2020, and we previously serving as
Hughes joined the thank her for her many contributions the MSW Statewide
MSU School of Social Work in 2009 to the School. Blended/Weekend Advisor.
and was the PhD Program Director
from 2018-2020. Pat Talbot joined Emily Halling, MSW,
the School as the joined the MSW
Ashlee Barnes- Executive Secretary to program in November
Lee, PhD, joined us the Director in 2014 2020 as the MSW
as a Dean’s Research and retired from the Statewide Blended/
Associate in August of University in May of Weekend Advisor.
2020. 2020.
Raúl Vargas joined us
Heather McCauley, PhD as the MSW Student
ScD, MS, began her Support Coordinator in
tenure with the School Joanne November 2020.
in August of 2019 as an Riebschleger, PhD,
Assistant Professor. became the PhD
Program Director in
August 2020 after
Joanne Smith- joining the School in
Darden, PhD, Field Education
2005.
assumed the role of
Associate Professor Cori Denay, LMSW,
and Ruth T. Koehler Community Programs left her position
Endowed Professor in in August 2020 as
Children’s Services in Gina Tremonti the Flint and Mid-
August of 2019. Gembel, MSW, Michigan Programs
became the Continuing Field Coordinator. She
Education Director in had joined the School
Meg Cianciarulo in 2009, and we wish her the best in
March of 2020.
joined the School staff retirement.
in September 2020 as
the Executive Secretary Beth Lindley, MSW,
to the Director. assumed the role of Aubree Rogers
Director of the Kinship moved from our Field
Care Resource Center Office Coordinator
John Seita, PhD, position to become
in September 2020.
retired as an Associate the School’s Unit
Professor in May 2020 HR Coordinator in
after 19 years with September 2020.
the School. Dr. Seita
brought a tremendous
BASW
amount of expertise Parryss Carter-
Lily Burnstein, MSW, McGee joined the
in foster care and the child welfare
joined the BASW School as the new Field
system, and we wish him the best in
program in November Office Coordinator in
retirement.
2019 as the Student August 2020.
Support Coordinator.
14 • Fall 2020/Winter 2021 socialwork.msu.eduInvest in initiatives meaningful to you
S
tudents enter the profession of social work with responsibility to the education and training of students as
a strong commitment to service, integrity, and well as outreach for community engagement.
competence. As social work educators, we believe If you share our values, please consider supporting
that the good our graduates do is multiplied and extended these efforts with a gift to one of the scholarship and
across generations, and we are honored to help prepare endowment funds highlighted below. A full list of giving
them for their service. opportunities and links to donate online can be found at
In keeping with land-grant principles of education, socialwork.msu.edu/Alumni-and-Giving/
research, and outreach/service, we take seriously our Endowments.
Robert Little Scholarship Fund Future Leaders Endowed
This fund provides scholarships Scholarship in Social Work
for graduate students with a career This fund supports graduate
interest in child welfare, with students through scholarships,
preference for those who want to assistantships, or fellowships.
work in kinship care.
Gary R. Anderson Endowed
Dr. Mary Bremer Barron Fund for Child Welfare
Scholarship Fund Leadership
This fund supports scholarships This fund supports workshops,
for students, with preference lectures, and scholarships in the
for those from the greater Flint School related to child welfare
community. leadership and workplace
development.
MSW Veterans Scholarship
This fund supports veterans by Chance at Childhood
providing scholarships for study in Endowment Fund
the MSW program. This fund supports research,
education, training, and outreach
concerning intervention and
Paul P. and Donna K. treatment for at-risk children
Freddolino Endowment and families; children’s justice;
for Distance Education coordination of professionals
This fund supports the School of dealing with at-risk children
Social Work’s distance educational and families; and methods of
programs, including both student encouraging children and youth
support and the development of to develop into well-adjusted,
new educational technologies. capable, and productive adults.
The School of Social Work Youth Education and Support
Endowed Fund This fund helps build, test, and
This fund provides a range of disseminate research focused on
supports for the School, including real ways to increase child and
student scholarships, support for youth access to accurate, non-
faculty research, and support for stigmatized knowledge of mental
School programs. illness and recovery.
SOCIAL WORK IN ACTION • Fall 2020/Winter 2021
Writer and editor: Tony Beyers
Graphic design: Rose Homa Design
socialwork.msu.edu Fall 2020/Winter 2021 • 15MSU School of Social Work
Baker Hall, Room 254
655 Auditorium Road
East Lansing, MI 48824
Visit the School on the web: socialwork.msu.edu
Join our Social Work Alumni Association
alumni.msu.edu/membership
Attend our Continuing Education sessions
socialwork.msu.edu/CE
Prepare for the Social Work Licensure Examination
socialwork.msu.edu/CE/Licensure
Qualify for State of Michigan School Social Work certification
socialwork.msu.edu/CE/Competency-Series
Become a Continuing Education presenter
socialwork.msu.edu/CE/Announcements
Become a Field Instructor or Field Faculty Liaison
socialwork.msu.edu/Alumni-and-Giving/Volunteering
Donate to support the School’s scholarships, research, and programs
socialwork.msu.edu/Give
A Mission of Social Justice and Positive Change: The MSU School of Social Work is dedicated to educating students for ethical,
competent, responsive, and innovative social work practice, and to conducting and disseminating high quality research that improves
the well-being of the most vulnerable in society. Our teaching, research, and outreach synergistically promote social justice, positive
change, and solutions to the problems facing diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Michigan State University is an equal opportunity educational employer.
OUR SCIENCE TRANSFORMS THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE
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