Students & Alumni

Oliva Diaz Melgarejo (she/her/hers) is originally from Paraguay but has lived nine years in Columbus, Ohio. She attended The Ohio State University, graduating summa cum laude in 2021 with a Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Science. Oliva is eager to pursue her passion for social work and her goal to positively impact the lives of people experiencing vulnerability and limited social protection. Her work in Paraguay, where social protection is influenced by culture, class, gender, and geographical location, has fueled her interest in public policymaking. She has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by impoverished and indigenous communities in the Chaco Region of Paraguay. She has worked with the government and international agencies to support their access to water, food, and housing opportunities. She also employs her practical expertise in child development, working with families, and collaborating on projects with UNICEF and the European Union to implement childhood-oriented protection policies in collaboration with the communities affected.

She is currently doing her field placement at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) in Detroit, Michigan. Oliva expects to have the opportunity to experience and analyze programs and policies designed to provide social protection to people in situations of vulnerability, their communities, and the natural environment.

After a decade living in Arizona, Reilly (she/her/hers) returns to her Michigan roots where she was born and raised. She received her BSW from Northern Arizona University, complemented by minors in French and Psychological Sciences, where she uncovered a profound passion for understanding the complexities of international systems, particularly those affecting refugees, immigrants, and vulnerable family dynamics. Additionally, Reilly’s wanderlust has taken her to diverse corners of the world, with extensive stays in Southeast Asia, Western Europe, and Central America. Her travels have driven her to investigate critical global social justice issues, including sex trafficking in Thailand, international human rights law in France, the practice of Chhaupadi in Nepal, and migration patterns from the Maghreb region in Africa. Reilly has social work experience with survivors of domestic violence abuse, and currently interns with an institute in their legal immigration program. As a Global Activities Scholars Program recipient, she desires to expand her skillset to effectively cultivate grounds for creating a network of opportunities to serve local populations, advance social justice, dismantle institutional oppression, and promote human equality. When Reilly takes a break from her studies, she enjoys backpacking, kayaking, teaching dance, discovering coffee shops, reading, and playing games with friends.

Coverdell Fellow Student Admitted 2023

Renee Alves (she/her/hers) is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in the Philippines from 2019-2020 in the Children, Youth, and Family sector. While in the Philippines, she worked at a shelter for impoverished youth, assisting the organization's social worker and developing musical, agricultural, and athletic programming for the residents. Renee was raised in Fresno, California, and holds a BA in Sociology and minors in Public Affairs and Civic Engagement from UCLA. After being evacuated from the Philippines due to the pandemic, Renee began working as the Communications and Development Manager at the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, a public policy research and advocacy nonprofit located in Charleston, WV. As a Coverdell Fellow in the MSW program and Interpersonal Practice pathway, Renee hopes to develop the clinical skillset and foundational knowledge necessary to provide person-centered, culturally appropriate therapeutic care to people who have survived extreme trauma. She aspires to eventually become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing therapy with people impacted by incarceration. In her free time, Renee enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading, playing soccer and ultimate frisbee, and trying new ice cream spots.

Clancy (she/her/hers) was born and grew up in the Milwaukee area and attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. She graduated summa cum laude in 2020 with her Bachelor in Russian Studies and minors in Economics and Creative Writing. Following graduation, Clancy worked in youth advocacy and college access at College Possible Minnesota, working with underserved and low-income students on the east side of Saint Paul to promote education equity. She is currently doing her field placement at Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County where she works within the Refugee Youth Services Department. Clancy joined the Global Activities Scholars Program to continue working with underserved youth and gain a more holistic understanding of how immigration and displacement affect education access domestically and internationally. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and camping, reading, and ice skating in the winter.

David (he/him/his) is a Master of Social Work candidate in the Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse and Global Social Work Practice pathways. He was born and raised in New York City. David graduated from Hunter College with a BA in economics and music and from the University of San Francisco with an MBA in strategic planning and finance. His professional experience includes V-Day, a global women's activist organization, and SGI USA, a community-based Buddhist organization. For this fall and winter term, David is a clinical therapist trainee at CAPS at the University of Michigan, Dearborn. As a GASP scholar, David wants to learn and advance strength-based social work in higher education internationally.

Coverdell Fellow Student Admitted 2022

Emilia (she/her) is a Returned Peace Corps volunteer who served in Uganda from 2016-2018 as a community health volunteer. Her interest to serve in Uganda stemmed from her BSW-practicum site placement in Uganda working in maternal/child health. After serving in Uganda, Emilia moved to Bolivia for a year to work with a family as their au pair and English teacher. Since returning to the United States, Emilia is now working as a children's advocate at a nonprofit agency serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence.  As a Coverdell Fellow in the MSW program, Emilia would like to grow as a professional to find ways to support individuals and communities in healing from systems of oppression.