Julie Alter-Kay’s last day with Social Work will be Jan. 11. Julie has been an advocate for social work students from her first day as an academic advisor in 2006. She moved on to become special assistant to the dean and eventually took the helm as the OASS. As a Wayne State alumna and Wayne County resident, Julie has shown her passion not only for the School of Social Work but for Metro Detroit as well. She will truly be missed.

Shantalea Johns to serve as interim director of OASS following the departure of Julie Alter-Kay. Dean Waites thanks Shantalea for agreeing to serve in this capacity and has faith that she and the exceptional admissions staff will work together to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Mari Vaydik will be leaving the School of Social Work to become the director of development at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This is a wonderful professional opportunity for Mari, as she will manage a team of five staff and work with the university’s largest alumni base. Dean Waites would like to thank her for the 13 months Mari has spent with the School of Social Work, during which it had a record-breaking fundraising year, received the largest gift ever from an alumni, and saw the foundation laid for future major gifts success. Mari's last day in the School of Social Work will be Jan. 13.

The School of Social Work's Social Justice Committee was pleased to host more than 75 people at its Dec. 9 event, "Water As A Human Right." Held at the School of Social Work, the event featured guest speakers Peter Hammer from Wayne Law and activist Nadia Gaber. Thanks to all those who made the event a success!

The School of Social Work encouraged the school and campus community to display their commitment to inclusiveness and social justice via participation in the school’s “This I Believe” art installation. The school asked for a message to be attached to a donated set of gloves/mittens and hung in the School of Social Work lobby on main campus. Social Work received 38 pairs of gloves and messages that were on display in our lobby until Dec. 16, when the display was dismantled by B.S.W. student Camilla Smith (below, right) and M.S.W. advisor Sarah Doyle (left) and donated to charity. Thank you to everyone who joined in the effort to promote peace, love and a commitment to social justice.