Organization and Community Leadership (OCL) Alumni Board

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 more than 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 well-being 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 (she/her), MSW, graduated from Michigan State University School of Social Work’s OCL track in summer 2023. Upon graduation, she was elected to the National Association of Social Workers, Michigan Chapter as the Region 6 Representative.

She also began 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 violence can have on an individual’s life. Julia enjoys walking with her two dogs, reading and camping whenever she gets the chance.

Noah Freye is a dedicated and compassionate social worker from Chesapeake, Virginia, 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 is a specialist in the Federal Compliance Division at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. She has been with the division 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, Michigan, with her teenage son, Demetrius, and enjoys volunteering and being involved in his many activities.

Grace Kennedy (she/her) is an empathetic social worker from Libertyville, Illinois. Grace holds a Master of Social Work degree with concentrations in Organizational and Community Leadership and Human Service Management from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Generalized Social Work with a minor in Peace & Justice Studies from Hope College.

Grace is currently a Program Coordinator at the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, serving survivors of relationship violence through prevention and policy efforts. Grace remains dedicated to community organizing, macro social work, advocacy and empathy building.

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.

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 Howard University and Virginia State University.

His teaching and research focus on homelessness, youth and college-student experiences, and policy reform, with particular emphasis on how institutions can better support marginalized populations. Drawing on a background in 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 in OCL from Michigan State University and his PhD in Social Work from Howard University.

Jessica “Jess” Keenan is a macro-licensed social worker with experience designing and delivering training, technical assistance and systems-level programming across workforce, housing and community-based settings. Her work focuses on helping people and organizations navigate complex systems, including policy, compliance, program design and implementation in practice.

Jess approaches her work through a systems lens, with an emphasis on equity, access, continuous improvement and translating complex information into usable tools and learning experiences. She is especially interested in how people learn in applied environments and how training, mentorship and professional development can be engaging, relevant and grounded in real-world practice.

Jess is passionate about supporting the next generation of limited licensed social workers in Michigan who are pursuing macro licensure as they develop their personal and professional identities. She earned her Master of Social Work from Michigan State University and her Bachelor of Social Work from Saginaw Valley State University.

Erin is rooted in her passion for social justice and her drive for individual empowerment and community strength. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Social Work, both from Michigan State University. She is a Licensed Master of Social Worker. Erin is trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), as well as approaches incorporating Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). She is currently an Associate Director and Therapy Team Supervisor at MSU's Center for Survivors.

Prior to coming to MSU she managed a leading-edge Non-Profit Management program through the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCEDSV) supporting domestic and sexual assault programs across the state in strengthening leadership and sustainability, providing guidance on non-profit management, and delivering trainings on best practices in service delivery. Prior to her role with MCEDSV, Erin was the Executive Director of End Violent Encounters (EVE) in Lansing, Relief After Violent Encounters – Ionia/Montcalm, and the Foundation Director for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s Give Back a Smile Foundation.

Erin has been active in community engagement and healing projects for her entire career. She has served on committees, as a mentor, and expert witness in the Domestic and Sexual Violence movement. She has served on committees and boards for groups invested in helping the homeless, the LGBTQ community, and advocating for children and families. In addition, she has served as a peer reviewer for MDHHS Division of Victim Services, worked as a liaison to the Michigan State University School of Social Work, and served on a school board.

When not working, Erin enjoys traveling, watching sports, playing pickelball, and creating new memories through adventures with her wife and two kids (one is a new Spartan). The family shares their East Lansing home with their dogs, Vera and Walter.

I received both my Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from Wichita State University in Kansas. During my professional journey, I gained professional experience in child welfare, community mental health, and evaluation.

Most recently, I earned my Ph.D. from the Michigan State University School of Social Work, where my research focused on how macro-level healthcare policies influence families' involvement in the child welfare system. After graduation, I joined the Michigan Federation for Children and Families in Lansing as a Policy Analyst, where I support the Federation's mission to advance policies that support children, families, and the organizations that serve them. I am passionate about macro social work and leveraging research and public policy to improve outcomes for children and families.

Outside of my professional work, I enjoy spending time outdoors with my husband and our dogs, reading, and embroidery.

Katlyn Tews (she/her) is a compassionate social worker from Lansing, Michigan. Katlyn holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree with concentrations in Organizational and Community Leadership (OCL) from Michigan State University (MSU) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Generalized Social Work and a minor in Law, Justice & Public Policy from Michigan State University (MSU). Katlyn is a Director of Social Services at The Willows of East Lansing, serving elders in their skilled and long term stay through working with residents and families to ensure safe discharge planning and providing support.