The IMPACT Awards honor outstanding students, faculty, staff and student organizations who are committed to uplifting our community and advancing the School’s mission. The awards are presented annually by the School’s Flourish Office.
Student IMPACT Award: PhD Student Nico Juárez
Nico Juárez is a student in the Joint PhD Program in Social Work and Anthropology. His award is in recognition of his academic excellence and his impact in translating social work values into community action. His work directly reflects the School’s Strategic Vision, specifically the “Action for the Public Good” pillar, which seeks to bridge academic theory and systemic change.
He is adept at mediating between diverse student needs and university administration, fostering collaboration across disparate academic departments and external partners. As president of the Graduate Employees’ Organization, Juárez led over 30 officers and represented 1,800 students. He used “solution-focused innovation” to prioritize marginalized workers and to navigate complex labor laws and institutional management. And when international scholars faced visa threats from the Department of State and ICE, Juárez helped organize efforts within the SSW to provide direct advocacy, resources and policy-driven support.
Staff IMPACT Award: Academic Records Assistant Mary Boswell-Whitaker
Mary Boswell-Whitaker has spent the last 12 years in the School’s Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management, where she guides and supports students throughout their academic journeys. One of the most rewarding aspects of her role, she says, is the opportunity to connect with new individuals and witness their growth and success — not only in their education, but in their everyday lives. Her professional background spans higher education, the medical field, community mental health, and faith-based and community engagement, all of which are centered on empowering and uplifting others.
Inspired by the students she serves, Boswell-Whitaker is currently pursuing a degree in Human Services at UM-Dearborn. Outside of work, she is deeply committed to community service, volunteering with organizations such as Focus: HOPE, Gleaners Community Food Bank and SOULS on Fire Ministry in Wayne County.
Faculty IMPACT Award: Professor Katie Edwards
Professor Katie Edwards is the director of the Interpersonal Violence Research Laboratories, which uses community-led strategies to prevent and respond to sexual violence among vulnerable populations, including Indigenous/Native Americans, LGBTQIA2S+ youth and families living in poverty. To support these efforts, she manages an extensive national research infrastructure, employing over 50 staff members and scholars across multiple field offices in locations including the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, and Des Moines, Iowa.
Edwards has secured more than $25 million in research funding and published over 220 peer-reviewed papers, and has been recognized by Stanford University as one of the top 2% of researchers worldwide. However, she finds the greatest value in the relationships she builds through her work and in the real-world impact of her collaborative research. She is deeply committed to community leadership, and to mentoring students and early career scholars as co-leaders in creating communities that are safe, equitable and inclusive for all.
Group IMPACT Award: Common Roots
The student group Common Roots has made meaningful contributions to the School community through programming that connects scholarship, justice and community care. Notable initiatives include a panel discussion on AI, data centers, and climate justice featuring ecosocial work researchers and community organizers, and a zine fest attended by approximately 150 participants that celebrated BIPOC and global social movements through creative self-publishing. During a period of heightened uncertainty about international student visa revocations, Common Roots also organized bi-weekly support groups that provided international students with a space for mutual aid, information-sharing and emotional support.
Across all of its initiatives, Common Roots consistently bridges students, faculty, alumni, artists, journalists and community partners to build coalitions that link academic inquiry with grassroots expertise. Its work aligns with the research, action and school culture pillars of the School’s Strategic Vision by fostering inclusive learning environments, encouraging critical engagement with emerging issues, and empowering students to see themselves as agents of change. In doing so, Common Roots embodies SSW’s longstanding commitment to reach out, raise hope and change society.
Field Instructor IMPACT Award: Morgan Baldwin
Morgan Baldwin is a practice location director, therapist, clinical administrator and field instructor who is deeply committed to helping students grow into confident, capable social workers. She creates a supportive and encouraging environment where interns feel both challenged and valued, tailoring her guidance to each student’s individual needs and experience level. By incorporating peer supervision, case consultations and opportunities to shadow seasoned clinicians, she ensures students receive well-rounded, hands-on learning experiences. Her mentorship goes beyond skill development: she intentionally supports students in articulating their unique clinical perspectives and professional identities.
Baldwin leads by example, demonstrating integrity, accountability and strong professional ethics — even stepping up to provide stability and support during times of organizational change. Her impact is evident in the caliber of future clinicians she helps cultivate — thoughtful, ethical, skilled and client-centered social workers who are prepared to lead in the field. Baldwin exemplifies excellence in field instruction and her leadership, innovation and unwavering commitment to student growth.
Flourish Award: MSW Writing/Study Skills Coordinator Betsy Williams
Betsy Williams brings a wealth of experience to the School of Social Work. Over the years, she has taught a wide range of writing courses, including composition, argumentative writing and business communication. She served as a communication consultant at the U-M Ross School of Business, where she supported students in both writing and presentations. She also spent over a decade at the U-M Library, connecting people with resources and knowledge through reference services, workshops and online guides and videos.
Williams holds a BA in History and German Studies from Williams College and an MA in American Culture from U-M, and has published several pieces on early American childhood.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Clinical Professor Julie Ribaudo
Julie Ribaudo’s career has been dedicated to the health and well-being of infants, young children and their families. Before joining U-M in 2006, she worked across community-based settings in mental health, education and child welfare. Today, she continues that work as a supervisor and consultant, and as a faculty member with Zero to Thrive in the Department of Psychiatry.
As a teacher, Ribaudo brings core social work skills to life through creative instruction; she welcomes curiosity, celebrates differences and takes the time to recognize each student's unique strengths. Her humility and willingness to model accountability and vulnerability demonstrates what ethical, compassionate practice looks like. She has mentored countless students and colleagues, helping shape their careers and deepen their commitment to the profession. Her numerous honors — including two Professor of the Year awards, the Selma Fraiberg Award, and a seat on the board of the World Association for Infant Mental Health — reflect the breadth and depth of her contributions. Ribaudo’s impact is felt not just in the lives of the students she teaches, but in the families and communities they go on to serve.
