OGA Staff
Kathleen (Katie) L. Lopez
Director, Office of Global Activities and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Katie Lopez is an adjunct clinical assistant professor and director of the Office of Global Activities at the School of Social Work, where she is responsible for the overall administration of the office including study abroad opportunities for students, scholarship and grant opportunities, programming to support international degree-seeking students, and the exchange visitor program. As a licensed social worker, Lopez also serves as field faculty for students completing placements outside the U.S. and exchange students completing placements in Michigan. She is currently a faculty co-lead for the Global Social Work Pathway concentration.
Lopez has lived and worked abroad in countries including Mexico, the Philippines, Tanzania and Honduras. Her work in these settings inspires her commitment to building intentional, mutually beneficial and sustainable collaborations among social work programs to train students to address global issues. Lopez frequently presents on a variety of topics at social work and international education conferences in the U.S. and abroad. She received her MSW degree from U-M with a focus on community organizing. Lopez received her PhD in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University. Her dissertation focused on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion for students of color studying abroad.
Contact Information
- Phone: (734) 936-1964
- Email: [email protected]
Greta Kaempf
Global Opportunities Coordinator, Office of Global Activities
Greta Kaempf, LMSW, is the Global Opportunities Coordinator in the Office of Global Activities. Her responsibilities include advising students interested in pursuing a Global Independent Study, supporting exchange visitors, and assisting in the development of other Office of Global Activities programs and initiatives. A graduate of the U-M School of Social Work, Greta completed the Peace Corps Master's International program and served in Guatemala. She has also lived and worked in Chile, Argentina, Costa Rica and Romania, and worked with immigrant communities in southeast Michigan as an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant. Working with global communities at home and abroad has been transformative for her social work practice, and she is passionate about supporting students and visitors pursuing international experiences.
Contact Information
- Phone: (734) 615-0012
- Email: [email protected]
Maryam Syed
International Student Assistant, Office of Global Activities
Maryam Syed is the International Student Assistant in the Office of Global Activities. She is a dual-degree student, pursuing an MS in Environmental Justice at SEAS and an MSW in the Global Social Work Pathway. Maryam helps organize and run OGA's bi-weekly Coffee Hours, a space for international students at the SSW. Maryam is interested in examining sustainable development schemes in South Asia that may produce violence instead of resilience. Outside of SSW, Maryam works with Uproot, an organization focused on introducing anti-colonial and decolonial scholarship and pedagogy into environmental education, and is also co-founder of the reading club, Feminists of Color in Environment.
Contact Information
- Email: [email protected]
Aki Sato
International Student Assistant, Office of Global Activities
Aki Sato is an International Student Assistant in the Office of Global Activities at the University of Michigan's School of Social Work. Originally from Japan, she holds an MSW from the University of Michigan, specializing in Social Work Practice with Older Adults and Families from a Lifespan Perspective Pathway. At the OGA, Aki supports the staff in organizing various events and activities designed to assist international students. During her graduate studies, she completed a Global Independent Study, interning and researching at cancer support agencies in Japan, which deepened her expertise in oncology and geriatric social work. Her professional background includes an internship with the Cancer Support Community, where she co-facilitated support groups and engaged in outreach efforts. Additionally, Aki has a strong IT background from her previous consulting roles. Aki aspires to become a global oncology social work professional with a commitment to achieving health equity for all those affected by cancer.
Contact Information
- Email: [email protected]
Samira Kimo
MSW Field Student
Samira Kimo is an MSW field student in the Office of Global Activities at the University of Michigan's School of Social Work. Samira is currently pursuing a MSW in the Global Social Work Pathway. Samira actively participates in organizing diverse events that connect students and promote diversity and global work. She is passionate about fostering community well-being on a global scale. In her previous role as an Education Training Specialist at Grand Rapids Community College, She worked to develop strategies for students' success, empowering them to overcome barriers to education and employment. Seeing the direct impact of her efforts on individual lives was incredibly rewarding, and it reinforces her commitment to creating broader social change. Samira also has a strong passion for working with refugees and is committed to social justice and international collaboration. She aims to empower her peers and promote cross-cultural understanding. Samira believes in the transformative power of community and strives to cultivate inclusive spaces that support both local and global communities
Contact Information
- Email: [email protected]