People
Lorraine M. Gutiérrez
Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program, and Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work, Arthur F Thurnau Professor, Professor of Psychology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts
Professor Lorraine Gutiérrez has a joint appointment with the School of Social Work (SSW) and Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan and is a faculty associate in American Culture. She also is a member of the SSW Community Organization Learning Community. Her teaching and scholarship focuses on multicultural praxis in communities, organizations and higher education. She brings to her work community-based practice and research in multiethnic communities in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Detroit and Seattle. Current projects include identifying strategies for multicultural community-based research and practice, multicultural education for social work practice, and identifying effective methods for learning about social justice. Her contributions to undergraduate education have been recognized by the Arthur F. Thurnau Professorship. She is currently an editor or the Journal of Community Practice.
Contact Information
- Email: lorraing@umich.edu
Lauren Davis
DEI Program Manager
Lauren Davis, MSW ‘07 has been working with the School of Social Work since 2008. She is currently the Program Manager for the School of Social Work’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, which is responsible for the implementation of the School's DE&I strategic plan. She also is a field instructor for MSW students in the DEI Office. She has worked in higher education for more than ten years in advising, academic support, admissions, recruitment, and helping students navigate wellness concerns. Her passion is for creating inclusive learning environments where students can thrive academically, personally and professionally.
Contact Information
- Email: laurdavi@umich.edu
Sydney Garlick, GSSA
Sydney Garlick is a dual Master's degree student in Social Work and Public Health. Within the Social Work program, she is studying Management of Human Services and Mental Health. She is in the Health Behavior and Health Education Department in the School of Public Health. Some of her passions include evaluation work, mental health, minority health and disparities, healthcare systems and women's empowerment. She is the Graduate Student Services Assistant for DEI, assisting with implementation, evaluation and event planning.
Contact Information
- Email: sydneyga@umich.edu
Colleen Karim, MSW Intern
Colleen Karim is currently an advanced standing MSW student, her primary focus is Community Organization with a concentration in Community and Social Systems. During her journey through the MSW program she is an intern for the School of Social Work’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She is interested in being involved with the DEI because she wants to make sure that students advocate for what they want to see happen during their journey, she also has a drive for students being educated on diversity and issues that they may not be aware of. Prior to coming to U of M, Colleen graduated from Oakland University with her BSW in April of 2017. She has experience in working with the homeless population as well as domestic violence victims. Her passion and interests include advocating for social justice, running for political office, and creating a diverse, friendly and fun environment wherever she is.
Contact Information
- Email: karimcol@umich.edu
Erica Watson, MSW Intern
Erica Watson (she/hers) is a second-year student at the SSW studying Social Policy and Evaluation. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in Theater Arts. She is active in Fair Labor Organizing, Graduate Employee Organization, and Critical Intersectionality Learning Community. Her academic interests include issues of Disability, particularly around deafness, Poverty, Labor, and LGBTQ issues.
Contact Information
- Email: nagye@umich.edu
Kiah Williamson, Program Assistant
Kiah is a second year Social Work student studying Social Policy and Evaluation with a practice area in Health. She currently interns at Washtenaw County in the Human Services Department where she works with residents in need of utility assistance. Her passions include minority health, Health disparities and Global Social Work. She currently holds the position of Student Representative on Student Union and is an active member of Association of Black Social Workers. Kiah wanted to be apart of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team because she strongly believes in making the school a safer and inclusive environment for all.
Contact Information
- Email: willikia@umich.edu