School of Social Work News
Tazkira Amin named MSU School of Social Work 2025 Outstanding Senior
April 2, 2025 - Brandon Drain
The Michigan State University School of Social Work honors Tazkira Amin as its 2025 Outstanding Senior Award recipient.
MSU research exposes disparities in access to gender-affirming care
March 20, 2025 - Brandon Drain
A recent study led by researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) and the University of Michigan found that nearly one in three TGD adults in Michigan who expressed interest in hormone therapy had not yet been able to obtain it. Possible reasons for these delays include inadequate provider knowledge, inconsistent insurance coverage, and financial limitations.
Dr. Ashlee Barnes-Lee honored with 2025 Outstanding Faculty Award
March 18, 2025 - Brandon Drain
On January 23, 2025, Michigan State University’s College of Social Science honored Dr. Ashlee Barnes-Lee, an assistant professor at MSU’s School of Social Work, as its recipient of the 2025 Outstanding Faculty Award.
MSU’s Kinship Care Resource Center expands support for Michigan families with new state funding
March 13, 2025 - Brandon Drain
Michigan State University’s Kinship Care Resource Center (KCRC) remains dedicated to helping children in Michigan stay with their families through kinship care. This commitment has been reinforced by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who recently announced her FY2026 budget, which includes nearly $90 million in new investments to strengthen kinship care services and ensure children remain safe.
Creating space, driving change: Chiquita Whittington’s impact at MSU
March 6, 2025 - Brandon Drain
For Chiquita Whittington, social work isn’t just a career—it’s a calling, shaped by her lived experiences and commitment to advocacy.
Can we train empathy? MSU Researcher explores the science behind bridging social divides
March 3, 2025 - Brandon Drain
In an era of deepening ideological division, Kathryn Irish, a doctoral researcher at Michigan State University’s School of Social Work, is exploring the neural basis of empathy and its role in bridging political and social differences.
MSU Student founds Black Girls in Social Science group
February 24, 2025 - Brandon Drain
Aaliyah Wilson is a senior majoring in social work who founded the group Black Girls in Social Science (BGSS): a community that uplifts, empowers, and connects Black women pursuing careers in social work, psychology, sociology, and beyond.
MSU study highlights barriers minority Intimate Partnership Violence survivors face in seeking help
February 4, 2025 - Brandon Drain
Michigan State University School of Social Work researchers have shed light on the severe impact of Intimate Partnership Violence (IVP) while highlighting the systemic barriers preventing racial and ethnic minority survivors from seeking help.
Social work student advocates for students with disabilities through MSU's BOSS Program
January 30, 2025 - Brandon Drain
Social workers play a vital role in strengthening and advocating for marginalized communities, a mission that begins even during their undergraduate years. For BASW junior, Saara Ashtiani, this comes in the form of empowering students with disabilities to get jobs, while subsequently laying out a pathway for future success through the Michigan State University Building Opportunities for Spartan Success (BOSS) Program.
MSU student reflects on impact of MDHHS Fellowship in public behavioral health
January 21, 2025 - Brandon Drain
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) 1914 Program Fellowship is transforming lives by supporting MSW students dedicated to public behavioral health. This fellowship provides each recipient with $30,000 in funding, enabling future social workers to focus on their education and fieldwork while preparing to address critical mental health needs in underserved communities. Here is how the fellowship has impacted MSW student, Jerleesha Ross on her journey:
Gary Anderson establishes scholarship to honor late wife and support MSU Social Work students
January 15, 2025 - Brandon Drain
Honoring his late wife, Valerie Glesnes-Anderson, Dr. Anderson has established the Glesnes-Anderson Cancer Care Social Work Endowment: a scholarship to support MSU social work students pursuing healthcare and hospice work.
MSU researcher examines grassroots solutions for Black homicide survivors
January 10, 2025 - Brandon Drain
One of the biggest crises that often goes unnoticed in the United States is the trauma and systemic inequities faced by survivors of homicide victims in predominantly Black communities, according to experts.
Adolescent Diversion Program Spotlight: Monique Sampson
December 4, 2024 - Shelly DeJong
Senior Monique Sampson is an undergraduate assistant (UA) with the Adolescent Diversion Program (ADP) in the Department of Psychology. As a leader in ADP, Monique helps teach and support students with their youths. Monique shared with us recently about her time in the ADP, her hopes for the future, and what advice she has for psychology majors.
MSU Social Work Alum Felipe Lopez Sustaita Receives Young Alumni Award
November 21, 2024 - Brandon Drain
The Michigan State University School of Social Work proudly congratulates MSW alumnus Felipe Lopez Sustaita for receiving the MSU Alumni Office’s Young Alumni Award. This award is presented to alumni aged 40 or younger who have distinguished themselves through a high level of professional accomplishment early in their career.
MSW Alum Rachel Crandall-Crocker honored with MSU Alumni Service Award
November 18, 2024 - Brandon Drain
The Michigan State University School of Social Work congratulates its esteemed alumna, Rachel Crandall-Crocker on being named the recipient of the MSU Alumni Office’s Alumni Service Award.
How MSU’s FAME Program empowered Brianna McCray to overcome adversity and find her voice
October 25, 2024 - Brandon Drain
Before starting her first year at Michigan State University, Brianna McCray experienced economic hardship and bouts of homelessness. The shy, first-generation college student found immense difficulty navigating the overwhelming college experience as a freshman and was ultimately unsure of her place on campus.
MSU Social Work Student Taylor Vander Laan receives ACOSA 2024 Outstanding Student Award
October 14, 2024 - Brandon Drain
The Michigan State University School of Social Work congratulates MSW student Taylor Vander Laan on receiving the Association for Community Organization and Social Action (ACOSA) 2024 Outstanding Student Award. The award honors BSW or MSW students engaged in exemplary community practice, especially in partnership with marginalized or under-represented populations.
MSU FAME Program Empowers first-generation students through community and support
October 7, 2024 - Brandon Drain
“I was the first person in my family to go to college,” said Ellery Lemiso, Michigan State University senior and member of the FAME Program. “It was really hard to figure everything out.”
Access Spotlight: Juan Flores
September 11, 2024 - Emily Jodway
Juan Flores is this month's Access Spotlight honoree. Flores works with the Office of Cultural & Academic Transitions as Coordinator of Student Success and Community Initiatives. He is involved with the Intercultural Aide Program, Latino Student Mentoring program, and many other campus organizations, and is the Advisor to Council of Racial & Ethnic Students group Culturas de las Raza Unidas (C.R.U.).
MSU Social Work PhD student leads advocacy for Social Work Licensure Reform
September 6, 2024 - Brandon Drain
The disparities within the data gave insight into a potentially large and obvious problem: The ASWB Exam is inherently biased, according to experts.
MSU professor Ronald E. Hall publishes groundbreaking book on colorism
August 26, 2024 - Brandon Drain
Michigan State University School of Social Work professor Ronald E. Hall, along with various international researchers, has published a new book titled The Routledge International Handbook of Colorism.
MSU intern uses storytelling to address gun violence in Flint, MI
August 7, 2024 - Brandon Drain
The Flint Community Initiative Program (FCI) has been instrumental in providing students invaluable experiences by immersing them in real-world, community-driven projects.
How DEI-focused campuses mitigate sexual assault risk: New insights from MSU researchers
July 8, 2024 - Brandon Drain
A team of Michigan State University School of Social Work researchers found evidence suggesting that several campus-level factors – characteristics of a college and its students – are uniquely associated with an individual’s risk of experiencing sexual assault on a college campus.
MDHHS awards $498,000 to Michigan State University’s School of Social Work to boost the public behavioral health workforce
June 5, 2024 - Brandon Drain
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has awarded $498,358 to Michigan State University’s School of Social Work to provide $30,000 stipends to students seeking to obtain a master’s degree in social work and who commit to working in behavioral health in the state upon graduation.
DOD grants $1.1 million to Michigan State University’s School of Social Work to improve psychosocial support for mesothelioma caregivers
June 3, 2024 - Brandon Drain
The Department of Defense (DOD) granted Michigan State University’s School of Social Work and the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation a grant of $1,125,417 to improve psychosocial support for mesothelioma caregivers.
New MSU study reveals disproportionate incarceration rates of LGBTQ+ youth in juvenile justice system
May 14, 2024 - Brandon Drain
A recent Michigan State University-led study has found a strong correlation between the high incarceration rates of LGBTQ+ youth, and the myriad of inter-institutional and inter-systemic factors that constitute the forms of structural vulnerabilities they face as a group.
Michigan State University research supports Michigan bipartisan bill reform in juvenile justice system
May 8, 2024 - Brandon Drain
On December 12, 2023, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist signed a first-of-its-kind, bipartisan legislation transforming Michigan’s juvenile justice system and investing in diversion and re-entry services to better position Michigan’s youth for successful adulthoods.
MSU Social Work students launch resource hub for bilingual K-12 learners
April 23, 2024 - Brandon Drain
A group of Michigan State University School of Social Work students have built an online resource hub dedicated to enhancing accessibility for bilingual and Spanish speaking K-12 students and those seeking resources for them.
MSW alumna Bunny Berman reflects on a lifetime of service and learning
April 16, 2024 - Shelly DeJong and Brandon Drain
Studying both psychology and social work gave me a wide and varied perspective for my future career goals. I had an amazing education at Michigan State University and to this day, I am so grateful for it.
Michigan State University School of Social Work’s Outstanding Senior: Brianna McCray
April 9, 2024 - Brandon Drain
As a first-generation college student, and being raised in a single-parent household in Detroit, MI, McCray’s pathway as a social worker was riddled with hardship. Her early life was spent navigating economic deprivation which led to bouts of homelessness.
From adversity to advocacy: Maddi Mahar named 2024 NASW-Michigan Social Work Students of the Year
April 8, 2024 - Brandon Drain
Content Advisory: This article mentions suicide and mental health issues The Michigan State University School of Social Work would like to congratulate Maddi Mahar, a senior majoring in social work, on being named as one of the 2024 NASW-Michigan Social Work Students of the Year.
Student Spotlight: Rachel Harris
April 4, 2024
The highlight of my experience with this certificate has been watching my clients begin with high scores on their assessments for PTSD and depression, and then to finish the 12-week therapy model Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) not even meeting diagnostic threshold criteria for either PTSD or depression.
Student Spotlight: CaRynn Harris
April 4, 2024
The classes I took as part of the trauma certificate were the most directly applicable and interesting classes that I took in this program…learning Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) so early in my career has enabled me to help my clients more effectively.
MSU researchers are using storytelling to prevent youth violence and promote inclusivity
March 22, 2024 - Brandon Drain
The Michigan State University School of Social Work’s SPARK Research for Social Change lab (@SPARK4Change) is partnering with Safe Haven Ministries to evaluate Safe Haven’s Grow, Engage, Read, Imagine program (GERI): an initiative that utilizes books, from preschool through high school, promoting education and facilitating spaces so young people can have conversations about social norms, behaviors and boundaries in the Kent Country, MI area.
Reflecting on the legacy of MSU School of Social Work Professor Gary Anderson
February 27, 2024 - Brandon Drain
Gary Anderson served at the MSU School of Social Work for 25 years; 15 years as its director and another 10 years as a faculty member. Anderson developed and supported many innovative programs and projects, like the Community Programs, which continue today and allow the school to fulfill its service mission across the State of Michigan.
Diversity Spotlight: Rabbi Simon Stratford
January 26, 2024 - Emily Jodway
Simon Stratford is a proud alumnus of the College of Social Science and currently serves as the Associate Rabbi and Director of Lifelong Learning at Temple Sholom in Cincinnati, Ohio. While at Michigan State, Stratford earned a degree in Social Work and completed a minor in Jewish Studies through the Serling Institute. He is being honored as part of Holocaust Remembrance Day for his community efforts to educate and enrich the lives of Jewish individuals and family through prayer, ritual and togetherness.
Social Work students look to unmask how the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic affected immigrant women in Detroit
January 16, 2024 - Brandon Drain
The Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative (PURI) grant allows College of Social Science undergraduate students a unique opportunity to conduct transformative research – either one-on-one with a tenured faculty member, or part of a research team. This is a university-wide effort – spearheaded by The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Office at MSU – to provide all undergraduate students opportunities to engage in research, or creative activity throughout their education, regardless of their academic discipline or academic abilities. This year, the School of Social Work had three of its undergraduate students receive the award: Breanne Sandstorm, Jasmine Zavala Gonzalez, and Yasmen Alsuraimi.
2023 PURI grant recipient: Breanne Sandstorm
December 20, 2023 - Brandon Drain
The Provost’s Undergraduate Research Initiative (PURI) grant allows College of Social Science undergraduate students a unique opportunity to conduct transformative research – either one-on-one with a tenured faculty member, or part of a research team. This is a university-wide effort – spearheaded by The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Office at MSU – to provide all undergraduate students opportunities to engage in research, or creative activity throughout their education, regardless of their academic discipline or academic abilities. This year, the School of Social Work had three of its undergraduate students receive the award: Breanne Sandstorm, Jasmine Zavala Gonzalez, and Yasmen Alsuraimi.
Feeding the future: How an MSU Social Work student is fighting to end food insecurity on campus
November 10, 2023 - Brandon Drain
Today’s college students face a gauntlet of obstacles in their day-to-day lives. Managing classes, study sessions, part-times jobs and career planning. They do this all while trying to maintain a social life and juggling personal interests. Yet, for some, an even more daunting hurdle looms: food insecurity; the condition of not having access to sufficient food, or food of an adequate quality, to meet one's basic needs.
Empathy meets analytics: Bridging data, humanity and leadership in Chicago’s heartbeat
November 6, 2023 - Brandon Drain
In the heart of Chicago, where ambition and resilience intertwine, Dave Koch stands as a testament to how academic foundations can inspire community revolutions.
Empowering the future: MSU’s new era in African American research
October 15, 2023 - Brandon Drain
Since its inception in 1997, the Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research (MCUAAAR) has stood as a beacon for transformative research dedicated to the health and vitality of older African Americans. This collaborative platform unites three of Michigan’s top academic institutions: The University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and since 2018, welcoming Michigan State University into its fold.
Carla A. Pfeffer selected in the MSU Community Engaged Research Fellows Program
May 29, 2023 - Brandon Drain
MSU School of Social Work Associate Professor, Carla A. Pfeffer, has been chosen for participation in the 2023-24 Community Engaged Research Fellows Program -- a landmark achievement reflecting her commitment to advancing community-engaged research.
MSU Social Work student creates web platform to connect non-profits with corporate giving programs
May 8, 2023 - Brandon Drain
Michigan State University School of Social Work MSW student , James Rawson, has embarked on a project to connect non-profit organizations with corporate community giving programs. Rawson's project aims to create a centralized web-based platform that will make it easier for non-profits to identify and access funding opportunities in the mid-Michigan area.
Aubree Montie: The College of Social Science 2023 Matt Hansen Support Staff Award winner
April 30, 2023 - Brandon Drain
Aubree Montie, a member of the MSU School of Social Work, has been named the recipient of the College of Social Science Matt Hansen Support Staff Award. This award recognizes exemplary contributions of support staff members to the College and was first granted in 2020.
Michigan State University alumni creates library to foster education and break the cycle of poverty in Namibia
April 24, 2023 - Brandon Drain
Auguste Shikongo, an alumna of Michigan State University's School of Social Work, is on a mission to bring literacy and education to her home country of Namibia.
Heather McCauley: The College of Social Science 2023 Outstanding Teacher Award winner
April 12, 2023 - Brandon Drain
The College of Social Science awarded Heather McCauley, ScD, with the 2023 Outstanding Teacher Award. This award recognizes a current faculty member in the College who takes pride in and is committed to quality teaching, and who demonstrates substantial, continuing involvement in undergraduate education. Nominations are submitted by chairs and directors with input from current students.
The undertones of racism: MSU professor proposes a nuanced perspective on race that he hopes will unify the world
March 20, 2023 - Brandon Drain
One of the most prominent, empirically-based forms of evidence on racism can be linked to the oppression of dark-skinned races, according to Dr. Ronald E. Hall, professor at Michigan State University. This association of complexion and oppression, defined as colorism, has been dubbed a taboo subject of research in academia – which has led to, “A literature void that exceeds the context of traditional local race categories to permeate global borders,” Hall said.
Dean’s Research Associate Kendall Morris seeks to reduce community violence in Black communities within Detroit
January 24, 2023 - Brandon Drain
There are many underlying issues that plague Black communities. These range from economic deprivation, outright poverty, cyclical crime, systemic racism and more. However, none of those issues have the immediate and long-lasting impact as community violence – an issue that rips families apart, reshapes neighborhoods and communities, and creates a rippling effect from generation to generation, ensnaring families to relive traumas of the past.
Social Work in action: MSU MSW alum Q & A
January 18, 2023 - Brandon Drain
Brian Philson is a MSW alumnus who is now the president-elect of 2023 Board of Directors of the Association of Social Work Boards and is the president and CEO of Highfields, an $8.5 million human services nonprofit serving 11 counties in Michigan
MSU alumnus works towards bettering Native American communities and reflects on his career cultivation
January 11, 2023 - Brandon Drain
Deep within the heart of every social worker is the undying passion, drive and determination to help and advocate for others – regardless of the size and magnitude of the task. For Austin Lowes, his time at MSU strengthened this passion and helped focus and direct it on a broader level than micro-level social work.