Alumni Board

	Kimberley R. Adams, BSW '89 Dr. Kimberly Adams, a native Detroiter, graduated from Wayne State University School of Social Work with her Bachelors Degree and Howard University School of Social Work with her Masters Degree. She has worked for over 15 years in Child Welfare. Dr. Adams earned her Doctoral Degree from Loyola University-Chicago with a research interest in African American Father-Daughter Relationships. Currently Dr. Adams provides clinical services to at-risk youth with Detroit Public Schools, in addition to teaching Human Behavior Courses at Wayne State University. Dr. Adams has served a productive 2 year term as President of Wayne State University Alumni Association, where she led the group to receive the Outstanding Alumni Organization Award in 2006. In her spare time, Dr. Adams enjoys community theatre where she engages in competitive theatrical roles.
	Sia R. Bangura, LLMSW ‘07 Sia has served on the SSW Alumni Board since 2008 and is the current Board Secretary. She works as a public health consultant for the Michigan Department of Community Health in Lansing. She is involved in various obesity reduction intervention programs as they affect different populations in our state in the area of policy and environmental change. Sia is a graduate of the University of Sierra Leone, West Africa with a B.A. in English and French. She is currently enrolled at Walden University pursing a doctorate in public health with a concentration in community education. She loves to travel, cook, learn about other cultures and read historical biographies on various leaders, wars and ancient civilizations.
	Sarah Barlow, MSW '08 Sarah Barlow joined the Wayne State University School of Social Work Alumni Association Board in 2008 and is currently serving as Membership Chairperson. Sarah obtained a B.S. in Psychology in 2005 from Michigan State University and a MSW from Wayne State University in 2008. While at Wayne State University, Sarah expanded her experiences abroad and her research with at-risk youth. She is currently employed with Alternatives For Girls where she continues her work with at-risk youth and families. Sarah is excited to be a part of the WSUSSWAA and is honored to serve the school which provided her the opportunity to pursue the Social Work profession.
	Joanne Brogdon, MSW ‘01 Joanne joined the alumni board in January of 2006. She is currently employed as a Michigan Children's Institute Foster Care Supervisor with the Department of Human Services in Detroit, Michigan. She has been with the department for just over 25 years. Joanne obtained her B.A. in Sociology in 1975 from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and her MSW from Wayne State in 2001. Joanne recently became active with Case Western's Detroit Alumni Chapter. In her spare time, Joanne enjoys staying away from the computer, walking, reading, going to the movies, dancing, listening to "old school music", and spending time with family and friends. "I am looking forward to working with the board, meeting new people, and becoming a positive voice for the alumni board. My thanks to the board for this opportunity."
	Jerry Caughey (“Coy”), MSW ‘78 Jerry Caughey ("Coy") joined the WSU Social Work Alumni Board in 2002. He attended WSU and received a BSW in 1976 and an MSW in 1978. He holds specialty certifications in case management services, substance abuse treatment, and advanced clinical practice. He works as a Mental Health Clinician for Easter Seals in Pontiac, and as a Clinical Therapist with Northeast Guidance Center in Detroit. He has been a field instructor for BSW/MSW students from WSU, University of Windsor, and other local universities. Jerry enjoys golf, motorcycling, music, and travel.
	Tia Cobb, MSW ‘94 E-mail: ticobz@hotmail.com Ms. Cobb joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2002, and is currently serving as its treasurer. She is a Certified Social Worker with the State of Michigan. She works as a Program Director overseeing four programs at Federation of Youth Services. She has a love for children and youth and is dedicated to helping those who are our future. She also holds the position of Membership Chairperson for the Oakland University Black Alumni Board. She feels staying involved with the Alumni Board will help her continue to work for and with those who are our future.
	Larmender A. Davis, M.S.W. -’94, L.M.S.W. Larmenderwho joined the Alumni Association Board in 2009 is the supervisor of the Social Work Department at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, MI. She is also an agency founder, incorporator, and Board Member of Serenity Services, a non-profit domestic/sexual violence agency also in Detroit. Davis has over 20 years experience in non-profit management and has worked as an academic advisor for Wayne State University School of Social Work master degree program and currently serves as a field instructor. Davis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a Master’s degree in social work, both from Wayne State University. She is licensed with the State of Michigan as a Licensed Social Worker. Born and raised in Detroit, Davis feels that serving on the Board is a wonderful way of giving back to the community for a school and profession that she loves!
	Phyllis J. Edwards, MSW ‘02 Alumni Board President Phyllis J. Edwards, MSW, earned a bachelor of social work degree from Marygrove College, in Detroit, Mich., and received a professional graduate fellowship to attend Wayne State University, where she earned her master of social work degree. Currently, she is completing a master’s degree in urban planning at University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Ms. Edwards is a social services program manager with the department of Human Services and is executive director of the Madison Community Resource Center, a non-profit organization she founded. Nationally, she has served as a member-at-large for the National Association of Social Worker Board of Directors; and a member of the Executive Committee and By-laws Task Force. Previously, Phyllis served on the NASW’s Program Coordinating Committee and the Resolution Committee for delegate assembly. She is representative for NASW- Michigan and past conference co-chair for NASW-Michigan. Edwards is a City of Detroit precinct delegate, workshop facilitator, substitute teacher for the Detroit Board of Education, Detroit police reservist, and a community organizer.
	Pamela S. Hopkins, MSW ‘93 Ms. Hopkins joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2002. She is currently employed with the Family Independence Agency as a Social Services Program manager for Children’s Protective Services. She also serves on the statewide Children’s Protective Services Advisory Board. Ms. Hopkins serves her immediate community through her involvement as vice-chairperson of the Southfield Human Services Advisory Board. She takes great pride as an alumnus and says that it is an absolute pleasure to serve and give back to an institution that gave so much. She enjoys golfing, boating, traveling, and serving children and families.
	Delores O. May, MSW 1982 Alumni Board Vice President Delores May joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2002. Received her MSW From Wayne State School of Social Work in May, 1982. She’s currently employed with Federation of Youth Services in the position of Executive Director since April, 1999. Professionally, Delores May is a member of the National Association of Black Social Workers, Board Member & Vice President of Detroit East Community Mental Health, Inc.; Board Member of Michigan Federation for Children & Families; Member of Top Ladies of Distinction-Cite’ Detroit Chapter & member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. She enjoys traveling, shopping, gardening, family activities and mentoring youth.
	Faiza Najar, MSW '01 Najar joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2002. She is currently employed with Citizens for Better Care and volunteers for Sand Castles/Grief Support Program for Children & Families as a group facilitator and provides clerical, administrative, and patient support at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. Ms. Najar is an active member in the Arab-American and Chaldean community and her involvement has helped families settle in their new environments.
	Justin Petrusak, MSW ‘08 Justin joined the board in June of 2009. He received his BSW in 2007 and his MSW in 2008, both from Wayne State University. He is currently employed by the School of Medicine at WSU and serves patients of Children’s Hospital out in the community. Justin is also a member of the Macomb Homeless Coalition and volunteers his time and efforts toward the alleviation of homelessness in the county of Macomb. Justin believes strongly in social justice and has volunteered his time on policy change that works toward that goal. He is passionate about empowerment and self-expression of oppressed groups and thus serves as a poetry host and mentor in the Detroit area.
	Georgene Thornten, BSW ‘85 Georgene Thornten joined the alumni association Board of Directors in 2005. Georgene received her BSW from Wayne State in May of 1985. Her concentration was in Clinical Social Work. Georgene received her MSW from the University of Michigan in December of 1987. She served as Executive Director at Paul Martin’s Home for Boys for 10 years. Georgene currently owns and operates two businesses; an insurance agency and The Assessment Center & Counseling service. Georgene is honored to serve on the Board and looks forward to a successful tenure.

Wayne State University

AIM HIGHER

Alumni Board