Organization and Community Leadership (OCL) Alumni Board

The Michigan State University Organization and Community Leadership (OCL) Alumni Board was started in 2022. The Board was created to maintain a more active and intentional relationship between alumni and the School of Social Work faculty and students. The Board's expertise, advice and support addresses such topics as student recruitment, enhancement of the student experience, curriculum improvements and innovation, and communication with alumni, students, faculty, and the community. It strives to be a valuable advocate for macro social work practice and the OCL program at MSU.

Member Bios:

Rae Johnson (Chair)

Rae is a proud 2019 OCL graduate. Currently, she serves as the Practicum Coordinator and Lecturer at Oakland University, teaching courses on cultural humility, macro social work, and seminar classes.

With a diverse background in various sectors of social work—including health care, criminal justice, infant and maternal health, and early childhood education—Rae brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the OCL Board. Rae recently earned her PhD from Oakland University, for which she research focused on higher education, basic needs security, and the experiences of minoritized students in academic settings.

Outside academia, Rae is passionate about playing Monopoly, cheering for MSU sports, and enjoying quality time with family. Additionally, she is the Board President for NASW-MI, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing the social work profession and advocating for those in need.
David Koch (Vice Chair)

Dave Koch currently serves as Director of Impact at BUILD, a violence prevention nonprofit serving young people on Chicago's West Side. Dave has helped transition BUILD's 20+ programs into a new data system, co-created BUILD's Service Impact Model to improve outcomes measurement, and co-founded the Data Storytelling Cooperative to connect data professionals at community-based nonprofits. Prior to BUILD, Dave served as Director of Evaluation and Research at another youth and family services nonprofit in Chicago, and conducted research on child and family wellbeing at the University of Chicago. Dave is a three-time Spartan: he has undergraduate degrees in Philosophy and Elementary Education, and completed his Master of Social Work with a concentration in Organization and Community Leadership in 2017.
Julia McClellan Presgrove (Secretary)
Julia McClellan Presgrove (she/her), MSW, is a recent graduate from Michigan State University School of Social Work from the OCL track in the summer of 2023. Upon graduation she has been elected to the National Association of Social Workers, Michigan Chapter as the Region 6 Representative. She has also begun working in a research lab within the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She aspires to pursue a PhD in social work with an interest in various forms of violence and combating the negative social effects the violence has on an individual's life. Julia loves to go for walks with her two dogs, read, and go camping whenever she gets the chance!
Noah Freye
Noah Freye is a dedicated and compassionate social worker from Chesapeake, VA, with a Master of Social Work degree from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the College of William and Mary. Currently serving as a Harm Reduction Specialist with Franklin County Public Health in Columbus, Ohio, Noah brings a robust background in macro social work and harm reduction strategies. His professional journey reflects a steadfast commitment to enhancing the well-being of individuals and communities through informed, ethical, and compassionate social work practices.
Julie Jackson
Julie Jackson is a specialist in the Federal Compliance Division (FCD) at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). She has been with FCD since 2009 mainly focused on title IV-E federal funding for the foster care program. Julie started her work in child welfare as a foster care worker at a private agency in 2001 then moved to a position as the social worker in a community-based treatment program at a county youth facility in 2007. She graduated from Michigan State University with a BSW in 2001 and an OCL MSW in 2007. Julie resides in Holt, MI with her teenage son, Demetrius, and enjoys volunteering and being involved in his many activities.
Grace Kennedy

Grace Kennedy (she/her) is an empathetic social worker from the northern suburb of Chicago, Libertyville, Illinois. Grace holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with concentrations in Organizational and Community Leadership (OCL) and Human Service Management (HSM) from Michigan State University (MSU) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Generalized Social Work and minor in Peace & Justice Studies from Hope College. Currently, Grace is a Program Coordinator at the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCEDSV), serving survivors of relationship violence through preventionist and policy efforts. Grace remains dedicated to community organizing, macro social work, advocacy, and empathy building.
Erin Kramer

Erin Kramer is a higher education professional with a deep commitment to place-based partnerships, student success, equitable access to education, and community engagement. Erin currently serves as a Thrive Advisor and course instructor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has a track record of supporting student engagement initiatives, town-gown relations, and off-campus student support. She is also a proud alum of MSU, holding a M.S. in Global Health, Master's of Social Work, and a Bachelor's of Social Work. Erin’s professional background spans local government, immigrant health policy, higher education, and nonprofit work, with a consistent focus on creating more connected, inclusive, and empowered communities.
Catherine A. Macomber
Catherine A. Macomber is a Licensed Social Worker (Clinical and Macro) with a PhD and Master’s degree in Social Work and a Certificate in Public Health from Michigan State University. Cathy has more than 30 years of experience as a gerontological social worker. She has worked as a nursing home and home care social worker, a long-term care ombudsman, and for the Alzheimer's Association. She has expertise in interprofessional ethics, curriculum design, research, and policy, and has used this with Federal and State grant-funded programs. Cathy has worked with older persons with substance use disorder at a federally funded clinic in Bay City, MI. She currently serves as Assistant Dean of the College of Health & Human Services, BSW Program Director, and Professor in the Social Work & Youth Services Department of Saginaw Valley State University.
Natalie McQueary

Natalie graduated in 2019 with a passion for improving the mental health system through programs and policies. Since graduating, she has held roles working with the community mental health system, Lansing School District, and Michigan Public Health Institute.

She currently lives in Lansing with her fiancé and two miniature dachshunds.
Claire Plagens
Claire Plagens, LLMSW, is a trauma-trained mental health therapist and a dedicated non-profit leader. Claire currently serves as the program manager for the United Resiliency Center, an East Lansing-based resource and advocacy hub created in the aftermath of the 2/13/23 mass violence incident on Michigan State’s campus. Previously, she has worked at the state and national level on projects related to school-based mental health services, behavioral health workforce development, and gender-based violence prevention and intervention. Claire is a proud Spartan and two-time MSU alum (BASW ‘18, MSW ‘20).
James Rawson
A year after earning a Master’s in Social Work, I founded the nonprofit Business Charity Directory (BCD). Its goal is to locate resources for nonprofits and educate nonprofit staff on practices to obtain the resources. Here are a couple of testimonials for the period:
- “Our family advocates directed me to your Business Charity Directory, and I wanted to let you know how valuable I've been finding it. Thank you for creating that resource!” – Small Talk Children’s Advocacy Center
- “The Business Charity Directory has been an asset as we navigate the unchartered waters of fundraising and sponsorships. For Jubilee, the directory has served as an essential tool for identifying contacts that are willing to help us advance our mission.” – Jubilee
My service is unique as other services focus only on grant sources. I developed a searchable list that identifies all resources (sponsorships, donations, volunteers) within Michigan. At this time, I have 17 nonprofits subscribing to my service.

Development was no easy task, and I have been told many times to abandon my idea. However, being tenacious with forward thinking doors are opening. My story has not ended yet as opportunities have expanded at this present moment.
Matt Seager

Matt Seager is a licensed macro social worker in Michigan and the division director over the Integrated Care Division within the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services. The Integrated Care Division oversees benefit programs designed for individuals who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid. This includes the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), and Michigan’s highly integrated dual eligible special needs plan (HIDE SNP) model, called MI Coordinated Health. Matt has worked with Medicaid in Michigan in various capacities for over a decade.
Ashley Seeley

Ashley Seeley is renowned for her fierce advocacy. Her passions are justice and accountability -- protecting the rights of the most vulnerable populations by advocating for systems change. She is a Licensed Clinical Social worker and a 2017 alumna of the MSW Organization and Community Leadership program. Ashley also holds a Master of Public Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Eastern Michigan University. Her education is further amplified by certifications in Disability Inclusion and Accessible Design, Health Care Social Work, and a range of mental health first aid and suicide prevention programs.
Jessica Showers
Jessica Showers graduated from the advanced standing OCL program in 2022 after completing her BSW program at Saginaw Valley State University in 2021. She's served on the OCL Alumni Board since its creation in 2022. Jessica currently works as an Advocate at The Arc of Oakland County, an advocacy organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to her position at The Arc of Oakland County, she serves on the Human Relation and Equity Commission for the City of Madison Heights, MI. When asked why she serves on the OCL Alumni Board Jessica explained, "MSU shaped me into the social worker that I am today. It was important to me to continue to stay involved in the university and provide feedback that can improve the program.”
Bezil Taylor

Dr. Bezil Taylor is a Detroit-based social work professional and scholar whose work bridges higher education, community engagement, and basic needs advocacy. He is a former Assistant Professor of Social Work at Trinity Washington University, where he also served as Director of Field Education, and teaches as an adjunct instructor at both Howard University and Virginia State University.

His teaching and research focuses on homelessness, youth and college student experiences, and policy reform, with a particular emphasis on the ways institutions can better support marginalized populations. Drawing on a background in both practice and academia, he continues to engage with community-based initiatives in Detroit, advancing strategies that center equity, student success, and systemic change.

Bezil earned his Master of Social Work degree (OCL) from Michigan State University and his PhD in Social Work from Howard University.