Shanna Kattari’s series, “Nonbinary Identities and Individuals in Research, Community, and the Academy” was included in U-M’s LGBTQA resources for faculty and staff. “As a cisgender person in the academy, I wanted to intentionally create a space for nonbinary scholars to share their knowledge and/or lived experiences, to help remedy some of the erasure and invisibility experienced by this community and population,” Kattari told the University Record.

Ruth Dunkle, Wilbur J. Cohen Collegiate Professor of Social Work is named a 2020 Society for Social Work and Research Fellow. The Society for Social Work and Research Fellows are members who have served with distinction to advance the mission of the Society — to advance, disseminate and translate research that addresses issues of social work practice and policy and promotes a diverse, equitable and just society. SSWR Fellows serve as role models and mentors for individuals pursuing careers in social work research.

Paula Allen-Meares, Norma Radin Collegiate Professor Emerita of Social Work, Professor Emerita of Education and Dean Emerita, is named a 2020 Society for Social Work and Research Fellow. The Society for Social Work and Research Fellows are members who have served with distinction to advance the mission of the Society — to advance, disseminate and translate research that addresses issues of social work practice and policy and promotes a diverse, equitable and just society. SSWR Fellows serve as role models and mentors for individuals pursuing careers in social work research.

Professor Rogério M. Pinto is a panelist for “How can the nuclear sector pivot and become a leader in inclusion, diversity and community-based practices?” at the Nuclear Futures Workshop in Washington D.C. The workshop, sponsored by U-M Fastest Path to Zero, brings together experts in energy, climate and community-oriented issues critical to any community which is considering a new generation nuclear power plant. 

LEO Lecturer Ayesha Ghazi Edwin has been appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission. The commission’s vision is to fully engage Asian and Pacific Americans in Michigan.

The Student IDEA Board – which includes Assistant Professor Shanna Kattari – received a  U-M Distinguished Diversity Leaders Award from the Office of the Provost and University Human Resources. The Student IDEA Board was created to assess the university’s current structures and culture as they relate to students with disabilities, identify areas for improvement, and provide recommendations to enhance the lived experiences of disabled students.

Professor Luke Shaefer has been appointed special counselor to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on anti-poverty and economic mobility initiatives. His role is advising and facilitating discussion on anti-poverty policy. 

Assistant Professor Lisa Fedina and team have received funding from the U-M Center for Academic Innovation for their new online course (MOOC) “Interprofessional Responses to Intimate Partner Violence.” The course will enhance knowledge and capacity to effectively identify, screen and respond to victims of intimate partner violence from an interprofessional perspective in a healthcare setting. The team includes Professor Richard Tolman, Assistant Professor Katie Schultz and faculty from the U-M School of Nursing and the University of Maryland School of Social Work. The course will start in the spring of 2020.