Gée Ngo is an Advanced Standing Master of Social Work student studying clinical social work at Michigan State University’s School of Social Work.
A Double Spartan who earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from MSU, Ngo was initially drawn to the field because he wanted a career where he could “genuinely connect with people and hopefully make a positive difference in their lives,” he said.
“One thing I love about social work,” he continued, “is that there are so many different career paths.”
Understanding the whole person
During his undergraduate studies, Ngo’s perspective on people and their circumstances began to shift. He came to understand that individuals exist within an interconnected web of physical, social, cultural and economic factors—and that helping someone requires a broader understanding of their life and environment.
After receiving his undergraduate degree, Ngo began working in MSU’s Office of Financial Aid, where he saw firsthand how these factors can affect a person’s well-being.
“Working in financial aid has probably shaped the way I think about supporting students more than I ever expected,” he said.
“On the surface, a student may come to us with a question about a financial aid award, a scholarship or a form, but sometimes there is so much more behind that question.”
Financial concerns can often be connected to housing, food, family circumstances, employment, academic stress and the pressure of simply trying to remain in school.
“Over time, I’ve learned how important it is to take the time to listen and understand what a student may actually be going through,” Ngo said. “Both social work and financial aid are ultimately about helping people navigate systems and connecting them with the support they need.”
Returning to MSU
This realization helped prompt Ngo to continue his education by pursuing an MSW.
“Coming back to MSU for my Advanced Standing MSW honestly felt like a natural next step.”
Gée Ngo
The Advanced Standing program allowed Ngo to build upon the foundation he developed as an undergraduate rather than beginning again. Throughout both his BASW and MSW studies, he has also benefited from the knowledge, guidance and support of Dr. Pilar Horner and Raelyn Elliott-Remes. Having both professors contribute to different stages of his social work education has been especially meaningful to him.
Ngo’s dedication to his education and professional development was recognized with a $2,000 fellowship in summer 2026. In addition to providing meaningful financial support, the fellowship affirmed the work he has invested in pursuing his academic and professional goals.
Preparing to support college students
His experience working in financial aid has also helped refine his intended career path.
“After completing my MSW, I hope to continue pursuing clinical social work, ideally in a higher-education setting,” he said. “I’m especially interested in working with college students because I understand how much can be happening in someone’s life while they’re trying to navigate school.”
That understanding is also evident in Ngo’s own life as he balances graduate education with his professional responsibilities.
“There have been times when I’ve felt tired or overwhelmed, but remembering my goals and what I hope to do with my MSW—along with the support and guidance I’ve received from my loved ones, including my family and friends, and my coworkers—has helped me keep going,” he said.
Ngo is set to graduate with his MSW in May 2027, continuing a journey that began in MSU’s BASW program and is now preparing him to support college students through clinical social work.