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. As a PhD candidate, she focuses on research in 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 Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning 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.
• Jessica Showers (Secretary)
  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.”
• Bradley Allen
  After earning his MSW in 2017, Bradley remained at Michigan State University working as an academic advisor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. In 2019, he joined Community Mental Health of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties as a Quality Improvement Specialist, later advancing to Senior QI Specialist. Bradley currently serves as the Quality Coordinator for CMHA-CEI, where he oversees the quality improvement and quality advisor teams. His background in macro social work has provided him with valuable experience in the public mental health sector, collaborating with both clinicians and administrators. Bradley resides in East Lansing with his wife and two daughters.
• Kristen Columbus
  Kristen Columbus, LMSW, is the Vice President at Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy (WACA), a chapter of The Arc of the United States. Her work includes advocacy, development and grant writing, and program planning and evaluation. Kristen’s interest in macro social work and advocacy comes from her experiences as the mother of a young adult who lives with complex developmental disabilities. Kristen was a project manager at the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University from 2020-2023, and a parent mentor with Michigan Alliance for Families from 2011-2020. Kristen holds a master’s degree in social work from Michigan State University and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from Wayne State University. She lives in Saline, Michigan with her family and enjoys birdwatching, hiking and a strong cup of coffee every morning.
• Tori Ellsworth

  Tori Ellsworth is the Habilitative Supports Waiver (HSW) Coordinator at Mid-State Health Network (MSHN), where she collaborates with the region’s Community Mental Health Service Providers (CMHSP) to monitor regional network capacity and competency related to the HSW. Tori performs regional audits, updates policies and procedures related to HSW, and works closely with The State of Michigan to ensure State and Federal regulations are being followed.

  Tori earned her Master of Social Work from Michigan State University and holds a certificate in Organization and Community Leadership. Prior to working at MSHN her career was spent as an adult case manager at a CMHSP where she played a key role in the implementation of Home and Community Based Services. Tori is passionate about working in behavioral health and enjoys being able to advocate at a more macro level in her current role at MSHN

• 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.
• Neisha Hart
  My name is Neisha Hart and I currently reside in Bellevue, Michigan. I received my BSW from Ferris State in 2017 and my MSW in 2021. I got my Long Term Care certification from Ferris in 2021. I am currently in the last semester of my MBA for Healthcare Administration at Purdue University. I am currently working as the Director of Social Services at a Long Term Care/Skilled Nursing and Rehab facility. I am also working as a Hospice Social Worker. When I am not busy doing that I work a third job with Insomniac doing Harm Reduction at music festivals across the country. I enjoy spending time with my wife and our friends, building our farm, and getting ready to start our family.
• 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.
• 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.

• Julia McClellan Presgrove
  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!
• 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
  James’ first taste of social work began by introducing games to his Lansing Community College peers. Through observation, his peers were having fun and were in a relax state before heading to class. Despite completing his mathematics degree, James turned to his love of sociology.
  
  Following his passion, James earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Central Michigan University. Afterwards he earned his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Michigan State University, focusing on organization and community leadership.
  
  Now, James has begun his career with the NASW as PACE Field Organizer. He will follow Hellen Keller’s quote “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much”.
• Ashley Seeley
  Ashley Seeley is a Licensed Master Clinical Social Worker and a candidate for Licensed Master Macro Social Worker. She currently is the Assistant to the Executive Director with the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council. Ashley is a 2017  alumna of the MSW Organization and Community Leadership program. She 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. Ashley is renowned for her fierce advocacy. Her passion is justice -- protecting the rights of the most vulnerable populations.

If you have any questions about the MSU OCL Alumni Board, please contact rogellca@msu.edu