Bestselling author and Wayne State alumna Nedra Glover Tawwab is nationally recognized for her expertise in boundary setting, relationships, and mental wellness. Her practical advice on setting boundaries, healing from trauma, and improving mental health has resonated with many, particularly on Instagram, where she shares guidance with her nearly 2 million followers. Tawwab shared this expertise with the Warrior community and local social workers as the keynote speaker of the WSU School of Social Work’s annual Edith Harris Endowed Memorial Lecture.  

Her book, "Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself," became a New York Times bestseller and has helped many readers navigate issues surrounding boundaries in their personal and professional lives. Tawwab also engages with public speaking and workshops, offering practical tools to improve mental health and self-care.

“We are so thrilled that Ms. Tawwab returned to the WSU School of Social Work to share her wisdom with students and alumni. The wisdom she has acquired through her practice not only helps students with their own practice, but also helps them engage in the self-care they will need to support others” says Dean Sheryl Kubiak. “Ms. Tawwab personifies that Warrior spirit as she also is ‘paying in forward’ by setting up scholarships for current students. What a wonderful role model!”

Despite her national recognition and appearing on shows including Red Table Talk, Good Morning America, and the CBS Morning Show, Tawwab’s roots remain deeply tied to Detroit and Wayne State. She first became connected to the university as a 6th grader in the WSU Math Corps Summer Camp, a six-week program that serves approximately 400 middle and high school students each summer on Wayne State's campus since 1991.

Tawwab said the experience kept Wayne State top of mind when she started considering where she would go to college. As an undergrad with a double major in sociology and African American studies, she was supported by Project 350, an initiative of Wayne State’s Office of Federal TRIO, which provides academic assistance and support services to students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education due to family income, academic preparation, or first-generation college status.

“The Project 350 program offered me so much support – tutoring, mentoring, counseling,” Tawwab said. “Things to bridge the gap when I didn’t even realize there was a gap.”

Tawwab credits her internships with helping her identify both the areas of social work she was passionate about and those she decided weren't the right fit for her. During the second internship in the Wayne State MSW program, “the seed was planted” that led Tawwab to her career as a therapist. “That’s the beauty of social work,” Tawwab noted. “It’s such a diverse field and there are so many paths you can take.”

While internships and the hands-on training she received from Wayne State helped her prepare for her career as a licensed therapist and founder and owner of the Kaleidoscope Counseling group therapy practice, nothing could have prepared her for where this path would lead her. “It’s still unfolding in some very unique ways that are surprising even to me,” she said.

Wayne State was also instrumental in teaching Tawwab about boundaries. She recalls seeing several of her peers drop out of Project 350 over the course of their undergraduate studies, likely due to boundary challenges. She witnessed several of her classmates struggle with competing priorities, including family and work obligations, transportation issues, and more.

“I had to learn how to succeed in college. There were certain things that I had to do, like live close to campus so I could walk to class, to make graduating something that I could accomplish.” - Nedra Glover Tawwab 

Tawwab's journey at Wayne State exemplifies the core mission of President Kimberly Andrews Espy's Prosperity Agenda, which focuses on preparing students for successful careers through learning by doing experiences. As a participant in both Project 350 and various internships during her time at Wayne State, Tawwab benefited from the university’s commitment to bridging academic studies with real-world application. This aligns with the College to Career initiative, which provides students with opportunities to gain practical skills that are critical as they transition into their professional lives.

Even as she helps others establish boundaries, Tawwab continues to navigate her own, particularly in the evolving world of social media. “I have to remember that I’m here to create helpful content – not to be the world’s therapist,” Tawwab said. “These are boundaries that I didn’t even think to consider when I was a student, and as a field, we’re still catching up. It’s really up to me and other content creators to figure out what those boundaries can look like in this space and what we need to do to protect our clients and ourselves.”

Looking ahead, Tawwab is excited for the release of her upcoming book Consider This: Reflections for Finding Peace, and some well-deserved rest. “It’s been a very busy time, but also a delightful time because I know that there will be some rest coming. I’m excited for the book launch and the rest that will follow.”

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About the event:

Nedra Glover Tawwab presented the Wayne State University School of Social Work Annual Edith Harris Endowed Memorial Lecture on October 3, 2024. Tawwab examined the importance of self-care, wellness, and boundaries for social workers. View the lecture on the WSU School of Social Work YouTube channel.

About the Edith Harris Endowed Memorial Lecture Series:

The lecture series, established in 1987, is made possible through the generosity of Mort Harris, Edith Harris’ husband, and the Harris Foundation. Edith was a graduate student in our school from 1966 to 1968, but sadly her untimely death cut short a promising social work career. We are fortunate that her dream of making a difference in the lives of individuals and families through the advancement of knowledge and skills has been made possible with these annual lectures.

Writer: Sarah Freeman and Editor: Betsy Vanderstelt