MSU School of Social Work Fall 2016/Winter 2017 Fall 2016 - Winter 2017 | Page 24
STUDENT NEWS
Leigh Rauk represents
the School on Dean’s
Student Advisory
Council
L
ast
year,
Leigh
Rauk was given the
opportunity to be the
junior School of Social Work
representative for the Dean’s
Student Advisory Council
(DSAC). The main role of
DSAC is to choose the student
speaker for commencement,
but it also serves as a
representative group that provides the dean of the
College of Social Science with support and decisionmaking guidance. Rauk took this role one step
further by leading a subcommittee of DSAC that put
together the First Annual College of Social Science
Achievement Gala, which provided an opportunity
to honor student achievement within the College
of Social Science. This year, as a senior, Rauk has
become president of DSAC. In describing her new
role as president, Rauk said, “It is a position I feel
very honored to hold. My role as president is to lead
the group while also ensuring we reach our goal of
uniting the College for social science betterment.”
Legislative Education and
Advocacy Day hosted by NASW
T
he Michigan Chapter of NASW held its annual Legislative
Education and Advocacy Day in October, and it was well
attended by MSU School of Social Work students and
many others from around the state. This all-day event featured
advocacy-oriented keynote addresses, networking opportunities,
social justice forums, and over 20 workshops on legislative issues,
political action, and advocacy efforts. The forums included topics
such as Black Lives Matter in Social Work, Islamophobia: Politics,
Priorities and Prejudice in 2016, and The Social Worker’s Role in
the Development of Public Policy.
Also at the event, Advanced Standing MSW student Adriana
Flores was presented with the Student Leadership in Diversity
Scholarship, which recognizes and promotes leaders among social
work students who are working on projects, research, or advocacy
initiatives that promote diversity and social justice. Flores held a
leadership role in our special human trafficking event last spring,
has engaged in multiple Phi Alpha Honor Society service projects,
and contributed to the reorganization of the Student Organization
of Latino and Latina Social Workers.
Phi Alpha Honor Society elects new officers
T
he Phi Alpha Honor Society was formed by a group
of undergraduate social work students at Michigan
State University in 1960. With over 450 local chapters
today, Phi Alpha offers social work students and educators
a national network to encourage a closer bond, promote
humanitarian goals, and foster high standards of education.
The current MSU chapter of Phi Alpha Honor Society has
55 new members this year! At the first meeting on September
9, Phi Alpha elected its officers for the school year. President
Toya Russell is working on her MSW in clinical social work
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at the Flint MSW Program site and is interested in a career
providing mental illness and substance use services. Vice
President Marwa Mallah is a BASW senior and is interested
in working as a medical social worker in a pediatric oncology
unit. Secretary and Treasurer Amy Schaafsma is an MSW
organizational and community leadership student and wants
to work as an advocate for reducing educational disparities.
Members currently are involved in planning the Phi
Alpha service project for the year. MSW Program Director
Dr. Victoria Fitton is Phi Alpha’s new faculty advisor.
The MSU Chapter of the Phi Alpha Honor Society, including President Toya Russell, Vice-President Marwa
Mallah, Secretary and Treasurer Amy Schaafsma, and faculty adviser Dr. Victoria Fitton.
Fall 2016/Winter 2017 SSW NEWS