School of Social Work Winter 2024 Commencement

The School of Social Work Summer Commencement for Master of Social Work students will be held in person at Hill Auditorium and livestreamed on the SSW website. Hill Auditorium doors will open for guests and graduates starting at 9:00am.

A light reception will be held at the Michigan League in the 2nd floor Michigan League Ballroom immediately following commencement.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

The SSW Commencement will be livestreamed on this page and on the front page of the U-M School of Social Work website.

 

Keynote Speaker Jenny Sloan, LMSW, CTRT CTRP-C

Jenny Sloan has served children and families in the fields of education and social work for 25 years. She currently serves as the Director of Clinical Services at Starr Commonwealth.

Sloan completed her MSW at the School in 2009, and began providing home-based therapy for children and families referred through the Child Welfare Department in Wayne County. She then joined the clinical team at a high-secure, residential treatment center, where she treated youth adjudicated of violent felony and sex offenses. Over her decade-long tenure with that agency, Sloan championed the integration of trauma-informed care as a lead contributor to therapeutic programming and development. Throughout her career, she has provided supervision to clinicians, served as a field instructor and conducted extensive training for a wide variety of audiences including employees, community stakeholders, law enforcement and first responders, among others.

Sloan holds certifications as a trauma practitioner and trainer, and in core supervision through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She serves as a reflective supervisor and consultant to novice and evolving clinicians and supervisors, both within her agency roles and in private practice, and has remained a persistent student and collaborator with leading innovators in the field.

She began her career as a music educator in the Detroit Public Schools system, where she taught general and instrumental music and was the director of award-winning instrumental music programs.

Student Speaker Katherine Kelly

Before beginning her Master of Social Work, Katherine earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in psychology and kinesiology from William & Mary. During her studies, she interned at a disability services organization in Dublin, Ireland, which deepened her passion for social work. She later conducted research on the virtual dissemination of therapeutic self-help techniques, focusing on mental health apps and creating video resources. Most recently, Kelly completed an internship at the DBT Institute of Michigan, providing therapy to groups and individuals. Outside of her professional pursuits, Kelly is an avid runner who recently completed a half marathon and a swing dance enthusiast who enjoys connecting with others through movement. She is now excited to move to the Washington, D.C. area to work as a mental health therapist, continuing her dedication to promoting mental health and well-being.

Student Speaker Shreeja Vachhani

Shreeja Vachhani (she/her) grew up in Gujarat, India, where her parents, Dr. Arti and Dr. Sandip Vachhani, instilled in her the values of service, compassion and resilience. After spending 18 years in India, she moved to the U.S. to pursue higher education, graduating with honors from Lawrence University with a Bachelor of Arts in neuroscience and psychology. Her academic and research experiences illuminated her passion for understanding human behavior and addressing the mental health challenges faced by children and families. While researching early adversity and child brain development at Washington University in St. Louis, Vachhani discovered her calling in social work, inspired by the opportunity to create direct, transformative change.

Today, Shreeja celebrates earning her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan, fulfilling her parents’ dream of seeing her attend this prestigious institution. During her time at U-M, she embraced opportunities to grow as a clinician and leader through internships, research and equity-focused initiatives. Vachhani is thrilled to take the next step in her journey as a post-MSW fellow at U-M’s Mary A. Rackham Institute, where she will further refine her clinical expertise in providing compassionate, evidence-based care to a diverse population.

Vachhani’s achievements are a testament to the unwavering support of her family, her partner, Raahish, and her loved ones. Their encouragement inspires her dream of building a brighter, more just future for children, including a return to her roots in India someday.

Commencement Program

 

Photos from the Ceremony