Investing in purpose: The Academy tackles Michigan's healthcare workforce shortage
At a time when Michigan faces a critical shortage of health care providers, Wayne State University’s Detroit Tri-County Social Work Health Career Opportunity Academy, known simply as The Academy, is helping shape a new generation of professionals ready to meet the need. Now in its second year, The Academy has become a vital support system for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are pursuing careers in health care. Backed by funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), The Academy not only trains students for the workforce but also helps them overcome financial, educational, and personal barriers on their path to success.
All students in The Academy are from educationally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds and nearly half of the students reported struggling to afford housing, with 16% experiencing homelessness or couch surfing. Others shared the need to sell plasma, rely on food pantries, or use EBT benefits to get by. By offering financial support, academic guidance, and a strong peer network, The Academy helps students overcome these challenges and stay on track toward their educational and career goals.
“Programs like The Academy are not just 'luxuries,' they are lifelines,” said Academy student Erin Jackson. “They nurture the next generation of social workers who will be out here doing the work that matters: advocating for health equity, fighting systemic injustice, and uplifting voices that have historically been silenced. Even in the face of uncertainty, the seeds planted through The Academy will continue to grow and bloom through all of us who were blessed to be part of it.”
Of those eligible to graduate, 92% completed their degree and 89% continued on to the next level of education. “Since its launch, The Academy has trained 86 Ambassadors through its three structured programs,” said The Academy's Principal Investigator Professor Bridget E. Weller.
For many of our students, this program has been more than just academic support— it’s a transformative experience that’s helped them stay in school, overcome personal and financial challenges, and take the next steps in their careers. The data shows that The Academy is working, and with continued funding, we can reach and empower even more students who are ready to serve their communities. - The Academy PI Bridget E. Weller, PhD
In addition to the academic year, summer, and adult learner programs, The Academy offers unstructured support for students and professionals with financial wellness and resources workshops and a continuing education program that offers training for site supervisors who mentor students in the field.
The Academy exemplifies Wayne State’s Prosperity Agenda and College to Career initiative by connecting students' academic preparation with hands-on experience in healthcare settings. The most powerful way to understand The Academy’s impact is through the voices of its students.
Shanaviah Tinsley
Entering her senior year in fall 2025, Shanaviah Tinsley is focused on continuing her education with a master’s in social work. Her goal is to work in a hospital NICU, where she hopes to provide critical support to newborns and their families during some of their most challenging moments.
1. How has your experience with The Academy helped shape your career goals or future plans in social work/healthcare?
The Academy has played a major role in helping shape my career goals and my future in social work. It gave me the confidence I needed to move forward on my path to becoming a clinical social worker by offering valuable, hands-on experience that went beyond the classroom.
2. Can you describe a specific opportunity or experience you gained through The Academy that you feel made a real difference in your education or professional growth?
One experience that truly made a difference in my growth was my practicum placement at the Specialty Center at Children’s Hospital. I had the incredible opportunity to work alongside a clinical social worker, listen in on patient consultations, and learn the process of connecting families with crucial resources. I was also trusted to assist with call-backs for doctors and social workers, which allowed me to see how continuity of care works in real life. This experience helped me understand the impact social workers can have in a hospital setting and deepened my commitment to this career path.
3. How do you think programs like The Academy support students who want to work in health-related social work or serve diverse communities?
Programs like The Academy are so important for students pursuing health-related social work or who want to serve diverse communities. They provide the hands-on experience and exposure needed to build both competence and confidence. By the time students like me enter the workforce, we already have a solid understanding of how to engage with patients and families and navigate complex healthcare systems.
4. If you were speaking to someone unfamiliar with The Academy, how would you describe its impact on your journey as a student and future professional?
I’d describe it as a program that offers real-world opportunities that help bridge the gap between education and practice. It has had a powerful impact on my journey by affirming my goals, expanding my skills, and preparing me for a future in clinical social work.
Erin Jackson
Erin Jackson graduated in May with a bachelor of social work and will begin her master of social work studies at the University of Michigan in fall 2025. She is driven by a passion for community health and macro-level social work and is committed to serving diverse and historically marginalized communities.
1. How has your experience with The Academy helped shape your career goals or future plans in social work/healthcare?
Participating in The Academy has been life-changing for me. Coming from Detroit, I have always been passionate about addressing healthcare disparities that directly affect my community. Through The Academy, I was able to develop a deeper understanding of the social determinants of health, health equity, and the critical role social workers play within healthcare systems. This experience solidified my commitment to pursuing a career where I can advocate for marginalized communities, break down systemic barriers, and promote access to quality care for all. The Academy didn’t just prepare me academically, it prepared me spiritually and professionally to step into my purpose.
2. Can you describe a specific opportunity or experience you gained through The Academy that you feel made a real difference in your education or professional growth?
One of the most impactful experiences was serving as a facilitator during our weekly group meetings, where we discussed professional resilience, burnout, and trust-building skills. Leading these discussions helped me develop real-world leadership and communication skills that I will carry into my future as a social worker. Beyond that, my experiential training through the Academy placed me directly in community health spaces, allowing me to observe the intersection of mental, physical, and environmental health — not just in theory, but on the ground, working side-by-side with the people most affected.
3. How do you think programs like The Academy support students who want to work in health-related social work or serve diverse communities?
Programs like The Academy are essential. They center students who come from, and plan to return to, communities that are often overlooked in healthcare discussions. The Academy provides students not just with knowledge, but with mentorship, financial support, and culturally relevant training. It teaches us to lead with empathy, to recognize systemic oppression, and to advocate for policies that lead to real change. Without programs like The Academy, many future social workers like me would not have had the same opportunities to develop the tools and networks needed to uplift our communities from within.
4. If you were speaking to someone unfamiliar with The Academy, how would you describe its impact on your journey as a student and future professional?
I would describe The Academy as a launching pad, a space that not only invests in you academically but believes in your vision for social change. The Academy helped transform me from a dreamer into a doer. It made graduate school feel attainable, leadership feel possible, and healing work feel urgent. As someone who is now graduating with my B.S.W. and moving on to the University of Michigan for my M.S.W., I can say without a doubt that The Academy has been one of the most important steppingstones in my journey.
Zahraa Alrafish
Zahraa Alrafish is currently pursuing a bachelor of social work with a minor in Psychology and plans to continue her education with a master of social work. She aims to specialize in emergency care to support immigrant and refugee populations. In addition to her involvement with The Academy, Alrafish is also a Michigan Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholar.
1. How do you think programs like The Academy support students who want to work in health-related social work or serve diverse communities?
The Academy provided a welcoming space for growth, connection, and cultural awareness, skills that are essential for working effectively in diverse environments.
2. Can you describe a specific opportunity or experience you gained through The Academy that you feel made a real difference in your education or professional growth?
My experience with The Academy has been truly wonderful. I really enjoyed the weekly meetings, which not only helped me stay engaged but also expanded my perspective. One of the highlights for me was learning about different cultures through the program. It opened my eyes to the diverse backgrounds and experiences that exist within the communities we serve, which has been invaluable in shaping my career goals in social work and healthcare.
About the Detroit Tri-County Social Work Health Career Opportunity Academy
The Detroit Tri-County Social Work Health Career Opportunity Academy is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3.2 million with 0% financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.
Writer: Sarah Freeman and Editor: Betsy Vanderstelt