The Wayne State University School of Social Work is proud to announce the 2025 MSW and BSW Students of the Year, Ezra Mitchell (MSW) and Zahraa Alrafish (BSW).

Annually, undergraduate and graduate level students are nominated to receive the NASW-Michigan Social Work Student of the Year Award from each Michigan area university. Students are nominated by the Warrior Community and selected based on their demonstrated leadership qualities, contribution to the positive image of our social work program, commitment to political and community activities, academic performance, and the degree to which the student represents professional social work ethics. Recipients of the 2025 awards will be recognized by their home university and the NASW-MI chapter at a celebration event on Friday, April 11, 2025 from 6 - 8 pm. Awardees, their guests, university representatives, the social work community, and the public are invited to attend the virtual ceremony via Zoom.

This year we would also like to recognize additional nominated students for this award. We thank them for their hard work and dedication to the field of social work and the School. Student nominees included Emily Elrick, Binazir Haidari, Dennis Kutzen, Johnna Lapetz, Amanda Mies, Jasmine Stuckey, and Jay VanDyke.

MSW student award recipient

Ezra Mitchell (they/them) is an outstanding MSW student who has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the values and principles of the social work profession. Through their academic and professional pursuits, Ezra has shown a unique ability to bridge the gap between micro and macro social work, combining strong interpersonal relationships with a passion for advocacy and systems change. As a clinically focused student, Ezra has excelled in their internships at the International Institute of Metro Detroit and the Corewell Health Center for Exceptional Families, providing exceptional support to clients and families while upholding the highest standards of social work ethics.

Ezra's leadership within the social work student community is truly remarkable. As Vice President of the Coalition of Community Social Workers and Secretary of the Social Work Disability Justice Coalition, Ezra has played a key role in organizing events, facilitating groups, and recruiting new members. Their dedication to empowering others, particularly in the area of disability justice, is evident in all of their work. Ezra's ability to build capacity, facilitate hard conversations, and care deeply for their colleagues has earned them a reputation as a spirited team player and equitable leader.

One of Ezra's most notable strengths is their ability to situate the family unit as an important target of intervention, while also ensuring that each individual family member has the resources they need to thrive. Ezra's commitment to empowering others, especially in the realm of disability justice, is a hallmark of their work. In the face of challenges, they demonstrate remarkable resilience, not only overcoming obstacles but also leveraging their experiences to support and uplift others, exemplifying the core values of the social work profession.

BSW student award recipient

Zahraa Alfrafish (she/her) is a dedicated and outstanding BSW student at Wayne State University.  Zahraa has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership, advocacy, and service within the field of social work.

As the founder of Arab Women United, a nonprofit organization, Zahraa has shown exceptional dedication to empowering women and addressing the unique challenges faced by immigrant and minority communities. Her establishment of Arab Women United WSU, a student organization, has provided a safe space for women to unite and educate others about Arab heritage, fostering cultural awareness and community engagement on campus.

Zahraa's leadership extends beyond these initiatives, as she is very engaged in our School's student organization and is committed to supporting others.  Zahraa stated, “as an active NASW member, I am committed to lifelong learning and using my experiences to uplift others, ensuring that my work continues to reflect the core values of the profession. I look forward to continuing my contributions to social work through leadership, education, and community impact.”