JCLP Students

Conrad Becker was born in Metro Detroit and raised in Dexter, Michigan. In 2026, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with dual degrees in Wildlife Ecology and Jewish Studies. While in Madison, Conrad worked as a Hebrew language tutor with Congregation Shaarei Shamayim. During his undergrad years, he also worked for the Michigan DNR as a Seasonal Park Interpreter at Waterloo Recreation Area, where he cultivated the relationship between people and the natural world. Bringing these interests together, Conrad spent his senior year as a Campus Coordinating Intern for Dayenu, a national Jewish climate activism nonprofit. As a first-year MSW student in the Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, & Substance Abuse pathway, Conrad aspires to serve Jewish populations, as well as those with Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, and to explore green/nature-based therapy. Conrad is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar & banjo), forager, language learning hobbyist, and recently certified Wildland Firefighter.

Morgan Hesse is originally from Brooklyn, New York and graduated from Oberlin College in 2024 with honors in English. After graduating, Morgan moved up to Ann Arbor and spent a year teaching preschool and immersing herself in Michigan life. Growing up within Brooklyn's strong Jewish community, she continuously looks for ways to give back to her childhood community and those she has grown into. To this end, she has been a part of several Jewish organizations within her communities, teaching junior congregation at her local synagogue and serving as a song leader and unit head at her home away from home, Camp Zeke. In the fall of 2025, Morgan began pursuing her Master's in Social Work through the Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Pathway. In addition to working with the Jewish people of Michigan, she hopes to work with LGBTQ+ groups and communities, ideally helping the two communities grow together. Outside of school, Morgan enjoys playing board games, reading and writing poetry, and walks on nice days. She's still adjusting to Michigan winters—it took a lot of hot chocolate and movie nights to get through the last one—but she is very excited to continue making Ann Arbor home!

Cole Huskey grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2025 with a BA in Psychology and a certificate in Criminal Justice. At UW–Madison, he worked in an Incarceration and Mental Health Research Lab, where he helped create a Resource Packet for individuals re-entering the community in Dane County. After graduation, Cole volunteered at The Beacon, a homeless shelter in Dane County, and worked full-time as a case manager at Journey Mental Health, supporting adults with mental health disorders who were re-entering the community from incarceration. He’ll be pursuing the Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse pathway as part of the MSW program. Cole is excited to be part of the JCLP cohort, connect with peers, and engage with the Jewish community at Michigan. In the long term, he hopes to become a clinical therapist specializing in trauma, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Outside of academics and professional interests, he enjoys golf, tennis, soccer, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.

Jacob Keer is from Los Angeles, California and went to UCLA for his Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology. At UCLA, he was super involved with the Bearing Witness project and Student Org, as well as Hillel. He’s always had a community focus, which is a huge byproduct of being raised with a strong Jewish background. This past year, a research paper he co-authored received publication in Revista Arqudeología Americana. The paper is currently in the final stages of its review. His research delves into the use of the hallucinogenic drug DMT as a geopolitical tool for the reduction of conflict between the Wari Empire (in Peru) with surrounding empires/tribes. Due to this interest, his social work pathway is the Welfare of Children and Families, which has a major focus on trauma. He’s spent this past year as a language acquisition specialist at an elementary school just outside Barcelona, Spain. He’s also been working as an executive functioning coach remotely in Los Angeles. Outside of work and school, he loves to climb outdoors, backpack, surf, ski, and travel. He’s also lived in six different countries (for at least 2 months each). He’s excited to be in the cohort and connect/engage across cultural identities.

Rhyan Orenstein is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Goucher College in Towson, Maryland with a degree in Psychology. Before studying social work she worked at HillelUGA in Athens, Georgia as a Jewish educator and a support person for Jewish college students. She’ll be studying Policy and Political social work. She’s passionate about using social work to drive systemic change through research and education, especially in environmental conservation, animal rights, and drug policy reform. Outside of school and work, she loves reading fantasy and romance novels, being outside, spending time with her three cats (Bean, Fuzz Lightyear and Rigatoni) and multiple reptiles, going to hockey games, horseback riding, volunteering at the Creature Conservancy and fostering through the Humane Society of Huron Valley.