Outstanding Field Instructors

Nominated by: Makenna Martinez

I am honored to nominate Chiquita, my supervisor, for this recognition. She is incredibly kind and consistently goes above and beyond to support me in every aspect of my growth, whether it’s field work, social work coursework, or guidance on my future career and master’s program. In just under a year, she has made my experience truly exceptional, not only through the opportunities she’s provided but through her genuine mentorship and encouragement. Chiquita is an inspiring leader who made my transition into this internship seamless and welcoming. You can see her passion and commitment everyday through helping MSU students and people in the community. I am deeply grateful for her continued support and know she will remain a trusted mentor and friend for years to come.

Nominated by: Tierney Spessard

Amanda has never had a bachelors level intern at the clinic before, so she had to plan out a full school year's worth of learning and activities that I could complete without a degree. She is always there to answer any questions I have with thoughtful insight and patience. As the coordinator of the clinic, she is spinning several plates at once, but always makes time to check in with me and make sure I have everything I need. The care, dedication, and passion she shows is amazing!

Nominated by: Kaylee Harrison

Not only was this person teaching by leading but she also let me lead and then allowed instruction to follow. There was always support but the confidence do on my own was created because of the instruction. There never was a moment where I felt I was just paying to do nothing. I was provided with opportunities, tasks, research, and involved in conversations. My MSW program wouldn’t be what it is without Lillian and Highfields.

Nominated by: Melanie Perrault

I believe that Megan is an outstanding field instructor as she provides you with hands-on experience and works to prepare you for the field after graduation. Megan has allowed me to enhance current skills, and learn new ones, throughout my experience. By offering a diverse range of experiences, she has helped truly prepare me for my future in social work and I am grateful to have been placed with her, I could not imagine how different my experience may have been otherwise. To anyone wanting to go into school social work, Megan is an incredible person to help guide you.

Nominated by: Ashley Maloff

Sam truly helped develop my knowledge and skills as a social worker this academic year. This was my first experience in a clinical setting and I am so grateful every day that I had the opportunity to work with her. Sam's expertise and ability to handle critical patient cases with such grace, care and compassion are what make her an outstanding social worker. We should all aspire to be a little more like Sam.

Nominated by: Amanda Latham

I am honored to nominate my field instructor as an outstanding social work educator and practitioner. As a student and emerging clinical social worker, I have learned from someone who exemplifies clinical excellence, compassion, integrity, and a strong commitment to social justice. They create a supportive yet challenging learning environment that fosters critical thinking and professional growth. Through modeling trauma-informed, culturally responsive care, they demonstrate how to engage clients with dignity, respect, and authenticity while instilling confidence and emphasizing ethics and self-awareness. I wholeheartedly recommend my field instructor for their dedication to student development and their meaningful impact on both clients and future social workers.

Nominated by: Amanda Hardesty

She is the smartest person I know. She is calm and direct. She is so supportive. I would work for her forever.

Nominated by: Kacee Howe

Alicia has been a WONDERFUL field supervisor, and I have been so lucky to have her this year. As a full-time employee/student/intern, it has been a challenging year, but I have always felt supported and encouraged at my internship placement. Alicia is very knowledgeable and has helped me learn and grow as a clinician, without ever making me feel like I was not capable. She has also always jumped in when I needed support. I have really appreciated both her clinical supervision and her welcoming and thoughtful approach to field supervising.

Nominated by: Kierstyn Powell

Amanda has been an exceptional field instructor since the very first day of my internship. She consistently demonstrates patience, generosity, and a genuine commitment to sharing her knowledge and creating meaningful learning opportunities. Because of her supportive approach, I have never felt out of place or like I didn’t belong; instead, she has fostered an environment where I feel both valued and encouraged to grow. She creates a safe, welcoming space that allows me to learn while also being my authentic self. Amanda’s dedication and passion make her an outstanding supervisor, and any intern would be truly fortunate to learn from her.

Nominated by: Aprill Stinson

I would like to nominate Amanda Potter for the Outstanding Field Instructor/Task Supervisor recognition. She has been an exceptional director, supervisor, teacher, and advocate. Throughout my placement, she has demonstrated transparency, strong leadership, and unwavering support, especially during a period of transition within the agency. Her guidance and commitment to both clients and staff have made a meaningful impact on my learning and professional growth.

Nominated by: Khadija Dahir

Becky is extremely caring and supportive. She offers excellent insight and guidance to everyone she supervises. Her energy is always positive and uplifts everyone around her. The encouragement she offers makes overwhelming tasks feel much more manageable.

Nominated by: Rachel Kowalski

Calista has demonstrated great intentionality in developing my education. She has gone above and beyond to provide a quality experience that has stretched me and grown me. She leads by example and is always ready to support my growth and education.

Nominated by: Susma Mangar

She is outstanding supervisor because she embodies the core social work values and ethics, particularly by prioritizing client-centered care while navigating complex, fast-paced medical environments. She provides excellent mentorship by balancing high-quality clinical guidance with consistent, supportive supervision, ensuring I feel both challenged and supported.

Nominated by: Grace Cooke

My field instructor has been incredibly supportive and intentional in creating a strong learning environment, especially stepping into this role when there was not previously an MSW in the position. She consistently makes time for supervision, offers thoughtful guidance, and helps me connect my day-to-day work to broader social work values and skills. I really appreciate how approachable and encouraging she is, while still challenging me to think critically and grow. She has also been a strong advocate for both clients and staff, modeling ethical and client-centered practice in a way that feels very real and applicable.

Nominated by: Kasey Goetz

Christie made me feel welcome on day 1 of my placement and has provided a very supportive learning environment for my last field placement. She created a space where it felt safe to ask questions and makes herself available for any support that I may need. Her kindness and flexibility throughout my placement has made it easy for me to learn and grow as a clinician. She has shown me that kindness and sensitivity is a superpower and is a strength I can use to support clients.

Nominated by: Kasey Goetz

Ikram has been kind and supportive of me since the first day of my placement. She has taught me a lot about myself and what type of supervision is helpful for me. She has helped grow my confidence and has created an environment where I’ve felt comfortable as I grow into myself as a clinician. Her support has meant the world to me in my last year of my MSW program.

Nominated by: Jordynn Todosciuk

Crystal has been a supportive field instructor since the beginning of my final internship year. She has not only helped me find ways to strengthen my professional skills, but also has helped me learn ways to strengthen my management of school and internship. She has role modeled helpful skills and connected me to engage with others at my internship. Her feedback has been helpful and supportive this entire year and I am grateful to have had her as a field instructor!

Nominated by: Hailey McDonald

Crystal Cranmer has been incredibly attentive and kind towards Shiawassee Health and Wellness' interns. She maintains outstanding time management and scheduling skills, possesses rich clinical knowledge, and offers consistent support and guidance. Maria Medina has been overseeing me and my caseload during my time at Shiawassee Health and Wellness. Although she is not listed as my field instructor on Sonia, she has gone out of her way to ensure that my experience at the agency has been nothing but amazing. Her kind nature, caring heart, and dedication towards her team and the consumers that we serve is admirable. Maria takes the time out of her day to answer any and all questions that I may have without extending a single ounce of judgement, and the passion that she has for this field and for her team is radiant. I am incredibly thankful for my time at the agency, and these two individuals have made my experience nothing but wonderfully positive.

Nominated by: Hailey McDonald

Crystal Cranmer has been incredibly attentive and kind towards Shiawassee Health and Wellness' interns. She maintains outstanding time management and scheduling skills, possesses rich clinical knowledge, and offers consistent support and guidance. Maria Medina has been overseeing me and my caseload during my time at Shiawassee Health and Wellness. Although she is not listed as my field instructor on Sonia, she has gone out of her way to ensure that my experience at the agency has been nothing but amazing. Her kind nature, caring heart, and dedication towards her team and the consumers that we serve is admirable. Maria takes the time out of her day to answer any and all questions that I may have without extending a single ounce of judgement, and the passion that she has for this field and for her team is radiant. I am incredibly thankful for my time at the agency, and these two individuals have made my experience nothing but wonderfully positive.

Nominated by: Lily Mitchell

I would like to nominate my MSW internship supervisor, Danielle Little, for going above and beyond during my internship. She consistently advocated for me, ensuring my needs were met while demonstrating true leadership through confidentiality, a listening ear, and endless kindness and support. Danielle provided detailed and genuine feedback on my performance, connected me to valuable training and educational resources, and helped me network with other professionals in the community. She also encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, fostering both my personal and professional growth. Her guidance and dedication have made a meaningful and lasting impact on my development as a social worker.

Nominated by: Madison Williams

I’m extremely grateful my first placement in the program was with Deana. I saw so many different sides of the Social Work field at MMRS, and anything I expressed interest in observing further she was willing to make that happen. She’s been incredibly supportive in helping me find my own interests in the field. My placement at MMRS has been a very well-rounded experience and I have learned so much in my time working with her.

Nominated by: CarolAnn Lessnau

Derek has been nothing but amazing! He has offered all of his resources to me to teach me how to use different tests and he reaches out to others if he does not know himself. His teaching style of "first show then you do it" has been extremely helpful in creating IEP goals and holding IEP meetings. When he started having me take the reigns, he knew when to let me take over and when to step in and assist. Finally, he has done a great job advocating for me; the district wanted me to take on more schools and he told them no because it would be too overwhelming, and I couldn't appreciate him more!

Nominated by: Katherine Logan-Dinco

Deirdre Shires is an outstanding professional whose work consistently reflects a deep commitment to students and the field of social work. She is extremely helpful, understanding, and compassionate, creating an environment where I felt both supported and challenged to grow. Her realistic approach to macro-level practice ensures that the theory we learned was connected to real-world systems and community impact. She routinely went above and beyond expectations, demonstrating a level of dedication that left a lasting impression on me.

Nominated by: Elyse Friberg

He was very welcoming right when I was starting, always checking in to make sure I didn’t need any assistance. He made internship fun!

Nominated by: Ann Cser

Erin is dedicated to helping the interns learn. I feel comfortable asking all the questions that I have and I feel confident that she will either answer the question or assist me in finding the answer. She has never once asked me to research the answer myself. If I am struggling in something, she will find resources to help me understand. I couldn’t ask for a better supervisor.

Nominated by: Lily Trbovich

I wanted to nominate my supervisor for this because of the significant impact she has had on my professional growth. She consistently provides thoughtful guidance, challenges me to think critically about clinical decision-making, and supports my development with honesty and encouragement. Her guidance throughout the year has strengthened my confidence and clinical skills. She creates a supportive learning environment where feedback is constructive and growth is prioritized. Because of her mentorship, I feel more prepared and capable as I transition into my professional career.

Nominated by: Nasienka Francis

Mr. George E. Conway ll demonstrates an unwavering commitment to children and adults by facilitating mental health services and programs. Throughout the week, he regularly visits schools throughout the city to support students, staff, and parents in accessing resources and acquiring skills to manage mental health concerns. In addition to these activities, he co-chairs Involved Dad, a community engagement program designed for fathers, and T.R.E.E., a free community outreach program for at-risk males ages 12-17, where they learn strategies for behavior modification, anxiety, and depression. Mr. Conway has allowed me to grow and develop skills under his leadership that will be beneficial in my role as a future clinician.

Nominated by: Emili Reel

Jen provided encouragement, guidance and support as I navigated an area that was uncertain and new to me. She has great experience, knowledge and skill working with families, children and building connections within the community. She was understanding and validating for my fears and concerns related to not feeling confident and ensured I felt prepared before ending our meetings.

Nominated by: Emily Rentschler

Jen is an amazing field instructor who consistently shows up as a supportive and open listener, helping me reframe my perspective and grow both personally and professionally. She creates a collaborative learning environment where I feel comfortable bouncing ideas off her, and if she doesn’t have an answer, she actively seeks input from others and includes me in the process. She is always responsive, thoughtful, and provides meaningful feedback that strengthens my skills. Jen truly embodies strong leadership through her commitment to continuous learning and dedication to teaching, making her an invaluable asset to the social work profession.

Nominated by: Willow Kreider

Jessica has been incredibly supportive and has created an environment that makes me feel comfortable as I learn and grow as a social worker. She brings so much knowledge and has helped me think through my next steps while also finding my voice in social work. I feel both encouraged and challenged to step out of my comfort zone. Jessica has truly helped build my confidence in myself and my abilities.

Nominated by: Kayla Lewis

Jessica (Jess) has created an incredibly positive and supportive environment at my field placement. She is always approachable, attentive, and genuinely cares about my well-being, both professionally and personally. Jess listens to my concerns—whether they're related to fieldwork, academics, or my personal life—and consistently offers helpful guidance. I always feel safe and supported with her, and I truly believe she is an outstanding supervisor and social worker.

Nominated by: Claudia Juarez-Allison

I believe my field instructor is outstanding because she consistently creates a supportive and encouraging environment where I feel comfortable learning and asking questions. She has advocated for me in meaningful ways, making sure I had opportunities to succeed and grow in my role. Her advice is always thoughtful and practical, helping me navigate challenges with more confidence. I also really appreciate how she gives me the space to develop my skills independently while still being available when I need guidance. This balance has helped me grow professionally and personally.

Nominated by: Mya Hippensteel (Mitchell)

Kayla brings strong clinical expertise and genuine compassion to our supervision and case discussions. Tabitha, who I have primarily learned under, also demonstrates deep knowledge and natural compassion for clients. In a setting where the emotional weight can be intense, they both create a supportive and safe learning environment that has helped me grow in my skills and confidence. Above all, they have modeled the kind of practice I strive to bring into my own work. I am deeply appreciative of their mentorship and the lasting impact they will have on my continued development as a social worker.

Nominated by: Mya Hippensteel (Mitchell)

Kayla brings strong clinical expertise and genuine compassion to our supervision and case discussions. Tabitha, who I have primarily learned under, also demonstrates deep knowledge and natural compassion for clients. In a setting where the emotional weight can be intense, they both create a supportive and safe learning environment that has helped me grow in my skills and confidence. Above all, they have modeled the kind of practice I strive to bring into my own work. I am deeply appreciative of their mentorship and the lasting impact they will have on my continued development as a social worker.

Nominated by: Tatum Galbavi

Linda and I have established strong communication by being clear and open with each other. She has consistently encouraged me to reach out with any questions, whether by phone or message. Linda has been an exceptional first supervisor, providing guidance in a positive and supportive manner and encouraging me as I grow within the field of social work. Her support, words of wisdom, kindness, and positive attitude have all contributed to the strong relationship we’ve built. Because of this mentorship, I feel confident in the social work I am becoming.

Nominated by: Frances O’Donnell

Lisa has been dedicated to provide opportunities for my growth as a future social worker. She has introduced me to different aspects and people within the field. And has taught me critical skills for my personal and professional life by teaching me different mindfulness practices and the importance of them. Lisa has created the snippet project and is something I wholeheartedly support. I believe she is making an amazing contribution to the university for student and faculties, well-being, and mental health. She is extremely supportive and I am so lucky to have been one of her students.

Nominated by: Marcella Lloyd

Megan has created an internship environment that feels both supportive and empowering, allowing me to grow with confidence while still being challenged. She consistently takes the time to connect theory to real practice, helping me deepen my understanding and apply skills in meaningful ways. What stands out most is her ability to meet me where I am by offering guidance, encouragement, and honest feedback that has strengthened both my clinical and professional development. She leads by example, modeling authenticity, compassion, and strong clinical judgment in her work with clients. Megan has truly gone above and beyond in shaping my experience, and her mentorship has had a lasting impact on my growth as a social worker.

Nominated by: Alexis Brown

Meghan has been in the field of SW for a long time with experience in CMH and the ED. She does a great job at explaining and giving out responsibility/task. She often pushes me to expand my horizons which is so important in an internship. Even when I felt I may not be ready for a certain situation or task, she would walk me through it, give me tips and then we would reflect on the situation. She has done a great job at preparing me for my first role in SW after graduation and without her guidance and knowledge to lean on I do not feel I would be this well prepared. She showed me how to be a SW and how to navigate helping our clients within our social structure.

Nominated by: John Denny

My placement is at MSU CAPS (Counseling and Psychiatric Services). Mollie, Lauren, and Christian have all served as my supervisors during this past year and all three have been tremendously supportive, knowledgeable, and enjoyable to work with. Throughout my entire experience at MSU CAPS, I have felt truly poured into, developed, and appreciated. I cannot imagine a better place to train and develop. Overall, I am so grateful for ALL the staff at CAPS and most importantly my supervisors for helping show me the breadth of learning possible in clinical work. I wish I could give an award to the whole of CAPS because I've learned so much from everyone I've interacted with, but Mollie, Christian, and Lauren have been truly exceptional as direct supervisors.

Mollie is my administrative supervisor (and group supervisor in Spring) who has been diligent (with others at CAPS too - Dr. Turchan, Dr. Sung, Dr. Lewis, members of the training committee) in developing a formalized training structure for myself and other master's level trainees. This included an intensive 3 week long training seminar in August, weekly group supervision with 3 other Master's level trainees across 3 other programs, and monthly 1:1 check in meetings. Of particular note, the group supervision seminar, which Mollie facilitates, has provided an invaluable opportunity for me to seek feedback from a varied and interdisciplinary team - something I have utilized to grow tremendously. Through these other training sessions, I was oriented to work at CAPS and continually pushed to develop new vital skills. Some topics included risk assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, referral coordination, cultural broaching, storying, and professional development. Mollie, has also been very valuable to me in unpacking what being a white clinician means.

Nominated by: John Denny

Lauren is my licensed supervisor for the Spring Semester. Lauren has continually challenged me to think about the true breadth of the field of Social Work and has re-iterated and explained how social work operates in the real world - the "how", "what", and "why" behind social change and the obligation that social workers have to each other. She has provided me case studies, academic literature, and invaluable consultation to help improve my clinical work. She has provided me several opportunities to do outreach to a MSU students with a variety of stakeholders including the Beal Gardens, MSU CAPS student volunteers, EAP, CFS, and Spartan Resilience Education. She has challenged me as well to think about and broach my identities when relevant with clients. She has encouraged me to recognize and utilize my strengths that I've cultivated from my years of professional experience and to think about the future and how I may blend my clinical experience into my current role. She has talked over potential ethical concerns and the many systems at play. She has shown me how to apply the code of ethics to difficult situations. She has done all these things while also encouraging me (and providing me space to) make sure that I take care of myself.

Nominated by: John Denny

Christian was my licensed supervisor in the Fall semester. Christian did so much to help build my confidence as a clinician and to help shape my emerging identity as a social worker.

When I think about how I felt in August to December, the difference is stark. Prior to Christian and CAPS, I knew very few professional social workers (though plenty of students and faculty!) as I'm a career changer. Christian validated my prior professional experience and challenged me to think about the differences between my academic advising work and clinical work. She also talked through community resources that are vital for support of our students at CAPS and the greater Lansing Community. She also educated me about and pushed me to try new-to-me clinical approaches and basic clinical skills that I had only really read about up to that point. She provided a welcoming and collaborative environment that left me excited to go try new things with my clients.

Christian, like Mollie, has also been very valuable to me in unpacking what being a white social worker means in clinical work with clients who may or may not share the same identities as me. Christian also shared about her varied work experience and helped me see all the different kinds of work Social Workers can do in the world.

When I think about my experience at CAPS on the whole, I am left feeling a deep appreciation for the entirety of CAPS but especially for how Mollie, Christian, and Lauren have poured into me as a trainee, clinician, and person. I hope every MSW student has the kind of experience and supervision that I have received.

Nominated by: Sarah Theis

Morgan has exceeded my expectations for this internship placement and her role as a supervisor in so many ways. She puts the time and effort into planning trainings, events, and other learning opportunities, she prioritizes her interns making connections in the area and doing real work with clients. She puts her trust in her interns, allowing us to develop our social work skills, while also supporting us and intentionally debriefing every new or sensitive interaction. She also is very flexible, which is incredibly important for people like me who have to work while in school. I have loved having her as a supervisor and I will be sad to leave her and the center.

Nominated by: Nicole Fiegl

Paige is an extremely knowledgeable therapist who never fails to instill confidence in those she works with. Even when you may feel uncertain of a decision or interaction, she ensures to point out your strengths and, if needed, guides you in a skillful way. I appreciate the way she takes time to truly listen and offer feedback, demonstrating that she not only hears you, but sees you. Paige is so passionate and kind, I can't imagine having this internship without her.

Nominated by: Morgan Huyser

Pam leads with a mindset that empowers everyone around her to grow. Her dedication to The Davies Project is evident in everything she does, yet she always makes herself available to support her team. As my mentor, she has had a profound impact on my journey as a student by consistently finding "teaching moments" in our daily work and involving me in several community events and meetings. I am especially grateful for her intentional leadership and the trust she places in me to develop and implement my own ideas for the agency. Overall, her guidance has made my experience in the field truly invaluable and I have grown tremendously as a person and professional.

Nominated by: Ainsley Smith

Phil goes above and beyond to make sure interns at Gilda’s Club can gain exposure to as many opportunities as possible. He also brings a wealth of knowledge about private practice settings, and shares about his experience beyond the scope of Gilda’s Club. He is great at helping interns identify their strengths, pursue their individual passions, and challenge them to improve when they need it. He teaches the importance of self care in our field, and I’m leaving my internship feeling like a prepared, well-rounded social worker as I begin my career! Phil is a fantastic mentor, supervisor, and social worker.

Nominated by: Saara Ashtiani

Rebecca Johnson created a space for me to flourish. Not only did she consistently guide me using the NASW Code of Ethics, but she also provided personal insight on how to become a successful social worker and student. She became both a mentor and a friend, someone who gave me the space to create my own goals while supporting me through them. Rebecca played a significant role in building my confidence and professionalism, always making herself available for feedback and guidance. She continuously encouraged me to take part in new learning opportunities, pushing me to grow and step outside of my comfort zone. Her ability to support, challenge, and truly invest in her students is what makes her an outstanding field instructor.