Congratulations to Shantalea Johns on her new position as the School's Director of Continuing Education and Interprofessional Education and Lecturer. Johns now leads the development and administration of continuing education credits (CEs) to social workers and allied health professionals. She also works to promote interprofessional education and dialog among social workers. Before her current position, Johns was an Academic Services Officer III within the Office of Admissions and Student Services.

Welcome to Naelah Burks who has joined the Office of Admissions and Student Services as a new MSW Academic Advisor II providing academic advising to all MSW students admitted with core/regular status, including scheduling, plans of work and degree certification. Prior to coming to Wayne State, Burks worked in the child welfare system and in higher education in admissions and recruitment services supporting current and prospective students. Learn more about Burks in her Social Work Spotlight.

Congratulations to Sarah Doyle who has transitioned from her role as an Office of Admissions and Student Services MSW Advisor to an Academic Services Officer in the Office of Field Education. Doyle is currently is responsible for BSW and MSW internship placements, co-facilitating the Seminar for New Field Instructors, serving as a faculty field liaison for assigned undergraduate and graduate students, and assisting with the recruitment, evaluation, and retention of agencies requesting field education affiliation.

Congratulations to Geoffrey Jones who has started a new position in the School as the BSW Coordinator. Jones has worked at Wayne State for over five years, two of which have been in the Social Work Office of Admissions and Student Services recruiting students. Jones now assists a variety of students from the BSW Program and Social Justice Minor Program with scheduling, plans of work and degree certifications. Jones also provides advising support to pre-Social Work students, transfer students and prospective students. Learn more about Jones Social Work Spotlight.

Welcome to Elizabeth "Liz" Kennedy, the newest member of the Dean's Office serving as a temporary secretary. Kennedy graduated from Central Michigan University in May of 2019 with a Bachelor's in Psychology. While in school, Kennedy conducted research for the University of Michigan's Psychology Department and upon graduation began working in higher education at Delta College. Kennedy has worked as an administrative assistant in various offices including Admissions, Registrar, Career Services, Financial Aid and Counseling/Advising. Kennedy stated, "I couldn't be happier to be working alongside such kind and brilliant individuals here at Wayne State!"

Congratulations to Neva Nahan on her new role as the Associate Director of the Center for Social Work Research (CSWR) in charge of the strategic and day-to-day operations of the Center. This includes providing leadership on community outreach for research, internal assessment and action research for the areas of importance to the School, and grant management. Nahan connects with community organizations to explore how the School can collaborate on mutually beneficial research. Nahan has been engaged in survey and evaluation research at Wayne for over 40 years, 20 of which have been in Social Work. Learn more about Nahan in her Social Work Alumni Highlight.

Congratulations to Makayla Payne on her new position in the Office of Admissions and Student Services as a Professional Technician for Admissions and Student Services. Payne joined the School in April 2019 as a student assistant and recently earned her B.S. from the Mike Ilitch School of Business. Learn more about Payne in her Social Work Spotlight.

After years of hard work and dedication, it's time to take a permanent vacation! Please join us in offering Margaret Madej best wishes in her retirement. Our students and staff will miss Margaret and all she brought to our Office of Admissions and Student Services.