Student Connect
Student Engagement & Leadership Opportunities
These student engagement and leadership opportunities are a great way to connect with other students as well as faculty members. They offer networking opportunities, a chance to improve your leadership and teamwork skills, resume building, and so much more. These groups have a diverse set of goals and objectives and you are welcome to join more than one to fulfill your personal goals.
Open to All Students
+Association of Black Social Workers, student chapter
Faculty Leader: Dr. Pilar Horner, hornerp@msu.edu
Student Leader: Nikebia Brown-Joseph, brown646@msu.edu
ABSW an academic and service organization on campus and a student chapter of the National Association of Black Social Workers, whose mission is "enhance the quality of life and empower people of African ancestry through advocacy, human services delivery, and research." We aim to advocate for the health, safety, interests, and self-determination of the black community at MSU.
+Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
Faculty Leader: Daniel Vélez Ortiz, sw.edic@msu.edu
Open to all students at MSU. The goal is to develop, strengthen, and diversify faculty, students, staff, research, and outreach programs with an applied focus on equity and inclusion.
+LinkedIn Current Social Work Students
Administrator: Tony Beyers, akb@msu.edu
Open to all students currently enrolled in the MSU School of Social Work BASW, MSW, or PhD programs. This group is intended to provide information about professional development, student groups, events, and other news that is most relevant to current students. www.linkedin.com/groups/12459517/
+Phi Alpha Honor Society
Faculty Leader: Kelly Fornwalt, fornwalt@msu.edu
Phi Alpha Honor Society is a student organization that embodies Social Work Values, promotes community through building closer bonds among students. Students obtain invitation into the chapter through high academic achievements ranking them in the top 35% of their class.
+Racial & Social Justice Collaborative
Faculty Leader: Daniel Vélez Ortiz, sw.edic@msu.edu
The Racial & Social Justice Collaborative is composed of all members of the School of Social Work Community. It will function as a facilitating entity that every member of the School has access to as we strive to make sure our work, communities, and selves are anti-racist and operate in the benefit of racial and social justice.
+Student Advocates for Basic Needs Security
Faculty Leader: Kimberly Steed-Page, steedkim@msu.edu
SABNS will advocate on behalf of students for the equitable distribution and practice of providing for the basic needs of students. Basic needs as it relates to this purpose are defined as affordable housing, access to healthy food options, and access to the hygiene and other resources that contribute to student success.
+Student Organization of Latino Social Workers
Faculty Leader: Dr. Pilar Horner, phorner@msu.edu
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/msusolasw/
SOLASW is a student run organization for Latino Social Work students and their allies at the BSW, MSW, and PhD level. Students participate in service activities that benefit Latino communities, fundraising, educational mentoring supports, and professional activities such as attending Latino focused conferences.
+Students of Color Community Group
Faculty Leader: Shayla Robinson, robi1158@msu.edu
This group will provide a space for social work students of color to engage in meaningful activities to help prepare them to live, work, and lead in a complex and diverse society.
Open to BASW Students
+BASW Dialogues Group
Faculty Leader: Shayla Robinson, robi1158@msu.edu
Student Facilitators: Matthew Jacobs & Caroline Khombe
A learning experience that brings together students from different identity groups over a sustained period of time to examine the nature and impact of societal inequalities. Students will explore and develop skills for leading in a diverse environment and creating social change.
+BASW Student Governance – Students for Social Work (CURRENTLY FORMING)
Faculty Leader: Monaca Eaton, eatonmon@msu.edu
To foster communication and to gather feedback and information from social work students to steer the direction of the BASW program. This group meets monthly with the BASW Program Director to discuss student ideas and concerns and per the School By-Laws serves as a voice for the BASW program.
+BASW Undergraduate Advisory Board
Faculty Leader: Monaca Eaton, eatonmon@msu.edu
This board is created by open invitation at the beginning of the academic year and meets 2-4 times to discuss BASW program issues, and to gain student insight and feedback.
+College of Social Science, Deans Student Advisory Council
Faculty Leader: Michael Connelly, Assistant Dean, College of Social Science
Student Representative: SR Rep Nikebia Brown-Joseph
Student Representative: JR Rep Cindy Gonzales Vasquez
Alt Student Representative: Matthew Jacob
To foster communication between students and the dean of the College of Social Science. This group helps to express student needs and to enrich student life on campus. Contact Monaca Eaton, eatonmon@msu.edu or visit https://socialscience.msu.edu/undergraduate/current-students/get-involved/dsac.html
+Student Success Group (CURRENTLY FORMING)
Faculty Leader: Monaca Eaton, eatonmon@msu.edu
A skill building and community group for first-generation (or those who associate with the strengths and challenges of first-gen students). Let’s learn and work together to build success and move toward graduation and professional social work.
Open to MSW Students
+Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GradSAC)
Faculty Leader: Paul Dripchak, dripcha1@msu.edu
Student Leader: Francesca Pratt, prattfr1@msu.edu
GradSAC helps students to be involved with the School as well as having a voice in School procedures and events. Students are able to engage in the School, university, and wider community through volunteering, leadership, and other projects.
+Macro Social Work Network on Facebook
Faculty Leader: Kelley Blanck, kblanck@msu.edu
The Macro Social Work Network on Facebook provides a forum for MSU Social Work Alumni and current Social Work Students to connect, network and share resources, provides opportunities for job postings, strategies for job search success, and professional development, and provides updates on current trends and important issues related to Macro Social Work development. This group is open to any MSU Social Work Alumni or Current MSU MSW Students interested in Macro Topics.