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. 

As a macro-focused social worker, Vander Laan’s work and passion are rooted in serving the community. As vice chair of Red Project, a local harm reduction agency, Vander Laan helped make naloxone accessible, reducing overdose fatalities by 30% in the past four years. In addition, he developed Hope Network’s first comprehensive sexual education course for individuals with cognitive impairments and pushed forward a bill he wrote for the Domestic Violence Registry. All this work lies in his effort to “see a world where families can thrive, and kids don't have to go to bed afraid,” said Vander Laan.  

During his time in the MSW program, Vander Laan has been involved in the Advocacy Scholars Program, where he honed his skills in advocacy, social justice and policy promotion. “There are not too many other programs that specialize in macro social work which, is what initially attracted me,” said Vander Laan. “Ultimately, what impacted me and my work the most is a sense of being valued,” he continued. Vander Laan’s sense of community and belonging at MSU is what fostered his growth as a student and a person. “I felt seen by the staff and faculty. When people are valued and seen who they are, then they can grow into who they want to be. That’s what MSU gave me.” 

Many social workers, including Vander Laan, struggle with receiving the appreciation they deserve. The feeling “not doing enough is always present and not uncommon for folks in this field,” said Vander Laan. To him, this recognition “reinforces the work I am doing is not only enough but is good enough and will continue to be enough,” he explained. The MSW student also credits his mother as being the focal point of his work and advocacy for marginalized groups. “She is an example of a person being more resilient than they should’ve been,” he explained. “She worked too many jobs, skipped too many meals, fought too many battles, just to give us a chance in the world. Every mom and single parent should have equal access to the resources they need to keep themselves and their children safe, happy, and together.” 

Vander Laan plans to continue his community-focused social work career in the political space after graduation, with the goal of becoming a state senator. “I want to create policies and change that actually make people’s lives better,” he said. “In order to do that, I need to be in a community where I can grow and settle down in.” After graduation, Vander Laan plans on moving to Chicago, Illinois and will run for city council, while continuing his advocacy work for domestic violence prevention.