Congratulations to the 2020 Social Work Students of the Year

Annually, one BSW and one MSW student from each accredited social work program in the state is nominated to receive the NASW-Michigan Social Work Student of the Year Award. Each student is recognized for outstanding academic achievement, commitment to the Code of Ethics, leadership on and off campus, political and legislative engagement, and contribution to a positive image of the social work profession. Because of this year's pandemic no on-site ceremonies were able to be held. We hope all of our members will join us in congratulating the following phenomenal students: 

Erin Casey

BSW Candidate, Adrian College

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Erin over the last two years as I served as her Social Work professor. During her time in my classroom, I have observed Erin’s continuous participation in classroom discussions, her ongoing efforts to master the material, as well as her selfless desire to assist her peers in understanding the material as well. On many occasions Erin has run small groups which have demonstrated not only her understanding of social policy and principles, but also her effective application of those theories to the greater field beyond the classroom.

Her passion for social justice is demonstrated in her multiple organizations and groups that she is involved in or is president of. Last year Erin recognized a significant need for the betterment of education and awareness related to sexual assault on campus. She took it upon herself to create a student organization that created not only a safe place to discuss these difficult topics, but organized bystander awareness trainings. In conjunction with the Greek Life organizations on campus she has developed trainings and given presentations related to sober companions and bystander intervention.

Erin has also done extensive research on institutional betrayal as it relates to sexual assault awareness, intervention, reporting, and administrative policies.”  - Jennifer Towns

Heidi Smoot

BSW Candidate, Andrews University

“Heidi is a model student who participates well in class discussions, comes to class prepared, and takes on leadership roles in group projects. She understands what it means to be a social worker and is genuinely interested in helping people by being a change agent. 

Last summer Heidi volunteered to serve as our Social Work Club president during her senior year. She helped to revive a club that was struggling and created a variety of community and student outreach events and social activities including several de-stress events to help university students appropriately deal with their anxiety and stress. In addition to her club activities she has served as a tutor for underperforming high school students, helped organize trauma survival backpacks for children in Lebanon, and was inducted into the USCAA 2018 National All-American Team for Division II Basketball. 

Heidi completed her internship at Bethany Christian Services in Benton Harbor where she worked with foster children and their families. Her Faculty Liaison, Margaret Howell, described her as “mature, responsible, dependable, very good with fragile clients, as well as excellent with peer relationships”. She was well-loved by clients and staff and was hired as an employee following the completion of her internship hours. The Andrews University School of Social Work is proud of Heidi’s accomplishments and we are pleased to nominate her for the NASW-MI Student Social Worker of the Year award.” - Curtis Vanderwaal

Mary Gayen

MSW Candidate, Andrews University

“Mary is working on her third masters degree, but says she has enjoyed her MSW degree most of all. She has fully immersed herself within the world of social work on campus and in the immediate community. She first became involved in the Human Empowerment Life Project. She teaches at-risk 4th graders life lessons on topics such as determination, the need for going to college, kindness, and love for your neighbors. The hope she sees in the students keeps encouraging her to go back every Friday afternoon. Through the church she attends in the community she became a youth leader who is actively involved in leading out with small groups, community outreach, and helping with guest lunches. 

Mary has also been heavily involved in social work activities on campus. She was the president of the Social Work Club last year and the marketing coordinator for the university’s Graduate Student Association. She has coordinated with various departments on campus to collaborate with the School of Social Work on the themes of social justice, advocacy, spirituality, and outreach. 

She has an enthusiasm that is contagious and brings joy to all who know her.”  - Curtis Vanderwaal

Nicole Sweda

BSW Candidate, Calvin College

“Nicole stands out as someone who represents the social work field well. Nicole excels academically and has sought out opportunities that help her grow personally and professionally, such as serving as a research fellow, working at Calvin's Center for Social Research, and serving on both the social work program committee and the organization of students in social work. Nicole is always looking for opportunities to engage other students in important discussions and fun activities!” - Rachel Venema 

Markus Cuevas

BSW Candidate, Central Michigan University

“Markus Cuevas is a first generation college student, set to graduate in May 2020 with a BSW and a minor in Leadership Studies. He has been residence hall desk assistant, and resident assistant. 

Mr. Cuevas has volunteered with Latino Family Services in Detroit where he worked closely with social workers to provide activities for young people ages 5-12.  His personal journey that made this work extremely meaningful to him and solidified his commitment to a career in social work. He has actively advocated for LGBTQ+ students here at CMU and is completing his internship with the Office of LGBTQ Services and Gender Equity. He was the Diversity and Inclusion Intern with Quicken Loans as well as their CMU campus ambassador. 

Mr. Cuevas is a bold and confident leader, both in the social work program and on campus more broadly. He has a positive and infectious personality.  He is deeply committed to issues of social, economic and racial justice and will be a voice for vulnerable populations.  Mr. Cuevas is most deserving to be CMU’s Student of the Year.” - Lissa Schwander

Kennedee Semans

BSW Candidate, Eastern Michigan University 

“Kennedee Semans is an outstanding individual. She has leadership qualities that have included working with two other peers and myself on a presentation for Social Justice Day at Eastern Michigan University.  

Kennedee is a critical thinker who is ambitious and has a "take-charge" quality that instills hope in others. I was lucky to have been her instructor on two occasions; currently she is in field placement through Ypsilanti Community Schools with the Making Youth Matter mentorship program. Kennedee is academically strong and was recently admitted to the University of Michigan Master of Social Work program, which was her heart's desire. Kennedee is a person who I am grateful to have in our profession.” -Terry Bond-Manville, LMSW

Patresa Schweitzer

MSW Candidate, Eastern Michigan University 

“Patresa Schweitzer is an MSW student specializing in working with Older Adults. Patresa began the MSW program in 2016 where she quickly demonstrated her service to the school and her chosen profession. Patresa has been a student representative on several school committees including the MSW program committee, Instructional committee, and Grade Grievance committee. Her presence and wisdom as a student have informed both curriculum and program changes resulting in Patresa becoming a true leader in our school.

Patresa is also driven in her education and has sought out additional learning opportunities to enhance her graduate degree. In 2018, Patresa was awarded an EMU Professional Development Funding Scholarship to participate in the End-of-Life doula training through LifeSpan Doulas in Ann Arbor. This training informed her career trajectory and supported her pursuit of a social work internship placement at Angela Hospice in Plymouth.

Patresa is well deserving to be recognized as the Outstanding College of Health and Human Services Student representing the MSW program.” - Stephanie Wladkowski, PhD, LMSW, APHSW-C and Deborah Willis, PhD, MSW

Carley Bennett

BSW Candidate, Grand Valley State University

“Carley has come into her BSW internship with a wealth of knowledge and ready to work. Carley is dependable, open minded, empathetic, and always looking for ways to improve her skills. We meet weekly, and in every situation Carly is able to apply the NASW Code of Ethics, think critically and execute professionally. 

Carly is interning with myself at Crestwood Middle School. She has been able to work independently, the school administrators and staff trust her, as well as the students and families. Carley is more than ready for the field of social work and more than deserves this award. She works hard and executes well.”  -M. Paola León, PhD, MSW

Brandy Jacobs

MSW Candidate, Grand Valley State University

“Brandy has exhibited immense growth since the start of her internship at Mercy Health. She began with eagerness to learn and grow and has maintained this eagerness throughout her time here. She has exemplified the ethical principles in the NASW Code of Ethics, always striving to provide the best form of care and services to patients. 

Brandy has risen to the challenges that have emerged including but not limited to difficult cases, de-escalation, and barriers to services. Brandy has excelled in working in a multidisciplinary team including fellow social workers, physicians, nurses, inpatient behavioral health colleagues, and other hospital staff. She has provided our team with a plethora of outpatient resources we previously did not have, as she has many valuable community connections she has made through her current service in the field. She has challenged barriers to care and has attempted to problem solve in such cases calling on her knowledge of various additional community resources. She is compassionate and caring with patients and families seeking to assist with the emergent need that has led them to the ER. 

She has provided our team with immeasurable insight and has been an invaluable addition during her internship. I am beyond proud of the growth she has exhibited and have nothing but confidence in her and am excited for the positive impact she will make in the lives of those she serves moving forward. I have no doubt she will be an exemplary addition to the field of social work.”  -M. Paola León, PhD, MSW

Madelyn Mikitka

BSW Candidate, Hope College

“Madelyn is consistent and enthusiastic in her promotion of the social work profession and the Social Work program here at Hope. She is a tour guide for our Admissions department and never misses an opportunity to share about the social work major to interested students. She also contributed to the department as a student assistant for me as a new faculty member in spring 2018. 

Madelyn is a leader on Hope’s campus, both within the Social Work program and beyond. She served as president of our social work and sociology student organization in 2018-2019 and during this time organized volunteer and social opportunities for students in the department. Madelyn embodies the social work value of service through her volunteer work and paid employment. She is a member of Hope College’s Volunteer Services, coordinating and participating in various service opportunities. She has been a Community Living Supports aide for much of her time at Hope, working one-on-one with a college-age student with disabilities to promote independence and community integration. 

Having known Mattie since she began in the social work program, I recommend her for this award without hesitation. Her confidence, ability to communicate, heart for vulnerable populations, and strong advocacy skills will make her a successful social worker and someone I’ll be proud to call a social work colleague.” -Liz Sharda, LMSW

Allison Roehl

BSW Candidate, Kuyper College

“Allison has volunteered with Degage Ministries (a local homeless shelter) and several nursing homes. She is a 4.0 student with a double major in social work and Bible/Theology. She has been a teaching assistant to two different professors and volunteers as a social work tutor in academic support. 

Allison helped lead a collaborative CEU event for local social workers on the topic of trauma-informed care. She interned at the Pregnancy Resource Center her third year, meeting with clients, putting together curriculum, and organizing conferences in-house. She has since secured employment at the agency. Allison assisted in both the Social Work Club and Intramural sports clubs on campus and helped run the Student Activities club. She led the intramural sports league on campus and led the PRISM group for international students.” - Greg Scott

Angie Matthews

BSW Candidate, Michigan State University

“Angie Matthews will be graduating with her MSW from Michigan State University in May 2020. She is currently a Sergeant for the Lansing Police Department, and has been a police officer since 2005. In addition to working full-time in a very demanding field while in the MSW program, Angie has been able to maintain a high GPA and was a Research Scholars recipient twice. This research focused on secondary traumatic stress among social work students, which she presented at CSWE APM in 2019. 

Angie is also in the Combat Veterans Certificate program, and she is completing her advanced clinical placement with Encompass EAP where she works with Back The Badge clients. Angie is an ACEs Community Champion and is very involved in the community. 

Angie's passion to work with veterans and first responders is unparalleled and very much needed, as these are populations that have experienced significant cumulative trauma, and far too few social workers are specially trained and skilled to meet their needs.” -Tina Thompson

Ravyn Rooney

BSW Candidate. Northern Michigan University

"Ravyn is an excellent student and a strong leader who has utilized her role to promote social justice and increase visibility of the profession on the NMU campus and the Marquette community. Ravyn is the current president of the NMU Student Social Work Organization.  In this role, she has promoted the major and profession at large at events such as organizing group volunteering, and hosting booths at NMU student orientation and health fairs around Marquette. 

For the past four years she has been the JumpStart Team Leader in the Multicultural Education and Resource Center (MERC) at NMU, promoting diversity through campus-wide communication and events.  She has advocated for social justice issues relating to the student community in her roles on the President's Committee for Gender and Sexuality, the President's Committee on Diversity, and the Sexual Assault Grant Committee. Ravyn is also a member of Superior Edge, a student organization focusing on providing volunteer service to the community in areas of diversity, real world, leadership, and citizenship.  

Ravyn embodies the core values outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics and has contributed to the positive image of the Social Work Department and the profession of social work. We are lucky to have a student with such a promising future as a social worker!" - Ann Crandell-Williams, LMSW

Valerie Malec

BSW Candidate, Oakland University

“Valeri Malec has been an asset to Oakland University's Social Work Program since she began in 2018. Occasionally you come across a student that you know will spend their lives making a difference in the lives of others. Valeri is indeed one such individual. To state that Valeri is exceptional, is an understatement. She is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. She is organized, efficient, extremely competent, and develops an excellent rapport with everyone she meets. With her exemplary academic record, impressive background in policy and social change initiatives and incredible advocacy skills, Valeriis the perfect selection of this year’s NASW Student of the Year Award .

 Valeri maintains  a 3.9 overall GPA, works full-time and is a full-time student and intern. Social Justice is a common theme throughout Valerie’s educational and professional experiences.  She engages her fellow peers in conversations around the importance of social justice policies including issues affecting our most vulnerable populations. She is especially committeed to addressing educational disparities among students with disabilities in schools. Her future goal is to work as a social worker within the school system as she strongly believes it is one of the earliest chances for children and families to gain access to the social services they need. Valeri also feels strongly, it is also often the first setting where inequities and injustices may impact children. 

As director of the social work program, I can attest to the high level of quality she displays in the classroom earning consistent praise from her faculty on her academics, critical thinking professionalism and values.  It is evident Valeri applies her knowledge from the classroom into the community and engages the wider public in the ethical and social justice issues experienced by vulnerable populations.” -Maria Beam

Matthew McDonald

BSW Candidate, Saginaw Valley State University

“Matt McDonald received unanimous support from the faculty of the Department of Social Work and Youth Services at Saginaw Valley State University. Matt's support of his fellow students, his growth in the field of social work, and his commitment to serving his fellow veterans now and in the future is admirable. Matt embodies the values and ethics of NASW and we are honored to support his nomination.” 

-Catherine A Macomber

Briana Reed

MSW Candidate, Saginaw Valley State University

“Bri Reed was unanimously chosen as the MSW representative for the NASW Student of the Year by the Department of Social Work & Youth Services of Saginaw Valley State University. Bri's commitment to the profession, her peers, and the community as a whole is admirable and demonstrates the best of social work professional values and ethics. We are honored to nominate Bri for this award.” -Catherine A Macomber

Ashley King

MSW Candidate, Spring Arbor University

“Ashley is a positive contributor to class discussions and her classmates.  Ashley does well academically, communicates in a professional manner and takes earning her MSW seriously.  Above all, she makes no excuses and juggles her duties as a single mother with being a professional social worker.  She demonstrates commitment to a healthy lifestyle which is an example to her peers.  Ashley also shows compassion toward animals.” -Lisa Marquette

Darcy Herrera

BSW Candidate, Spring Arbor University

“Darcy is an exceptional student and an extraordinary example of the nature and value s of social work. As one who was once homeless, Dacry not only received help but she persevered all the way through to become a professional helper herself. 

Having spent several years serving and advocating for the homeless, Darcy actually completed her 400 hours of BSW internship at the very homeless shelter where she once lived. She nearly earned a perfect GPA and now has her eyes on an MSW as well. In sum, from every angle, academically, personally, and professionally, Darcy is not just worthy of this award, she is a resilient example for all of us to follow.” -Kurt Hoffman

Briana Tetsch

MSW Candidate, University of Michigan

“Through her leadership, community engagement, and performance in our program, Briana embodies the profession of social work. As president of the student union, our whole school has benefitted from Briana’s leadership. In this role, she has organized town halls, served as a bridge between the student body and school administration, and supported students in accessing opportunities available to them through both the school and university.

Briana has made significant contributions to our image as a School of Social Work on our campus, across our state, and even nationally through her deep commitment to political and community service. Campuswide, Briana is leading our school’s participation in the Big Ten Voter Challenge to increase student voter turnout. In this role, Briana engages with student and faculty leaders across campus to develop programming to promote student civic engagement and to find creative methods to get students registered to vote. Briana’s work has

been exceptional.

As Briana’s advisor, I am confident that she will continue to be successful academically while making significant contributions to our community. Even as a student, Briana has worked tirelessly to fulfill our field’s commitment to the promotion of social justice. I am excited to see where Briana’s career as a social worker leads; I can say with confidence that the field is stronger with her in it. “ -Justin Hodge, LMSW

Farhana Aktar

MSW Candidate, Wayne State University

“Farhana is in the advanced year of the MSW program and has been very active in School and University life. She ran for student senate and was officially elected to serve as our School of Social Work representative and Director of Governmental Affairs. Her campaign included four platforms: 1) improve the internship experience; 2) create flexible class schedules for all; 3) facilitate better student faculty communication; and 4) advocate for more licensing training.

Farhana is very passionate, driven and will take the initiative to get things done!  She has reached out to various staff and faculty to ensure her objectives are realized and to advocate for the collective good.” -Anwar Najor-Durack

Daniel O’Connor

BSW Candidate, Wayne State University

“Dan O'Connor was a senior in the BSW program at WSU and died suddenly January 3, 2020 with one semester away from completing his degree. He is survived by his wife, Susan, and two daughters.  His sudden death was a shock to both his biological family and his WSU SW family. His presence, leadership and support was sorely missed by his fellow student colleagues. 

Prior to entering the BSW program, Dan enlisted in the US Army in 2005 and served two tours in Iraq. He was injured in Baghdad on a security patrol and endured the death of five fellow soldiers due to suicide bomber. He persevered and entered the BSW program with the intention of helping others.  He was a leader among his classmates and supported those who struggled and encouraged initiative and success - reminding others and demonstrating via his actions the importance of social work practice to help those in need!” -Anwar Najor-Durack

Grace Conrad

BSW Candidate, Western Michigan University

“I am writing to nominate Grace Conrad for 2020 BSW Social Work Student of the Year. Grace is an outstanding student, both academically and in terms of practice. She is an articulate, kind, thoughtful, and competent student. Grace was a student in my Task Groups and Organizations course this past fall semester. She was regular in attendance, actively participated in discussions, and provided leadership in the task group of which she was a member.

Everybody has challenges in life and Grace is no exception. She has been a client of several social service agencies, so she has experienced social work services from both sides of the desk. Without going into detail, she has emerged from her family challenges, which informed her selection of an Honors Thesis topic, titled Adverse Childhood Experience Scores of Social Work Students vs. Non-Social Work Students at WMU,, and has blossomed into a strong, confident, and exemplary social work student. 

Grace is an aspiring social worker and has inspired others with her devotion to the profession. Next year she will be attending the advanced standing program at the University of Michigan. It is with great pleasure that I nominate Grace Conrad for Student Social Worker of the Year.” -Gary Matthews

Levi Soto

MSW Candidate, Western Michigan University

“It is my pleasure and honor to nominate Levi Soto for Western Michigan University’s NASW-Michigan MSW student of the year. I have worked with Levi for the last two years in his MSW program, have served with him on committees, and am currently his field instructor in his MSW concentration Policy, Planning, and Administration placement with the Goal Attainment Scaling and macro services in the Van Buren Intermediate School District.  Levi exhibits all of the qualities of excellence as an MSW student as well as emerging social worker.

Levi has demonstrated leadership qualities in social work.  He served as a member and student representative of the School of Social Work Director search committee, and several committees.  Levi has contributed to the positive image of a social work program in integrating the Multicultural Greek Organization and various other student organizations, of which he is an active member.Levi has demonstrated his commitment to political and community activities through his activism with the “I stand with immigrants” activities in Kalamazoo, while completing his MSW including a demanding field placement, and working full-time at El Sol Elementary with Communities in Schools. 

Finally, Levi is an amazing example of practice that exemplifies the NASW Code of Ethics.  Levi is consistently aware of the need to operate on a micro, mezzo, and macro level simultaneously as a social worker.  He is calm but also clear in his advocacy to practice social, economic, and environmental justice, and to include individuals and groups with less historical power in his work.  He is an example of anti-racist and anti-oppressive practice in all of his work in our university, the profession, and the community.  I am proud that Levi Soto has chosen the field of social work, and know he will be an amazing colleague in our shared field.” -Jennifer Harrison