Peace Corps Masters International Student Admitted 2016
Nate grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and graduated from Williams college. He eventually returned to Ann Arbor and joined the Masters International Program while attending the School of Social Work. He completed two years of service in Zambia as a health volunteer, working in a rural health clinic in the Central Province. While working in the health system in Zambia, Nate developed his personal and clinical interest in the hospice and palliative care movement. In his final year in the MSW program he is bringing his experience abroad into this field in a U.S. context.
Océane split her time growing up between the US and France. For the past 5 years she has been calling Tanzania, where her parents reside, home. She graduated from Northeastern University in Boston where she obtained her B.A. in Human Services and Social Entrepreneurship. During her time at Northeastern she was able to participate in extensive international experiences including working in orphanages in Peru & Tanzania, volunteering in a children's hospital in Bolivia, and studying abroad in Indonesia while focusing her in-country research on funding options for orphanages. Océane has a special soft spot for infants and toddlers, and is also a certified Doula. She is thrilled to be a part the Global Activities Scholars Program and is looking forward to learning skills to help children and families effected by poverty on a global level.
Peace Corps Masters International Student Admitted 2016
Tammy was born and raised in Michigan then moved to Texas where she graduated with a Bachelor in Business Administration from LeTourneau University. Her professional background consisted mostly of sales tax accounting for over 14 years. In 2010, she began stepping to a different beat and landed an English teaching position in Hiroshima, Japan where she spent two years teaching English in private schools, public schools and at an Edutainment organization; Kidzania. Upon her return to the States in 2012 she started a non-profit; Foster the Journey where she worked youth in residential treatment centers in Austin, Texas. Having only a business background and a big heart she then found herself applying and later being accepted to the University of Michigan School of Social Work to gain more knowledge around working with youth who have experienced trauma to better inform her social work efforts going forward. Tammy served in Peace Corps Swaziland for two years as part of the Master's International program at the University of Michigan and would not trade that experience for anything because it changed her life drastically and redefined her entire heart for the people she serves. Her favorite quote is "Not till we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." by Henry David Thoreau.
Peace Corps Masters International Student Admitted 2016
Taylor grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's in Social Work. During her last semester of study there she completed a global internship through the Hinckley Institute of Politics in Amman, Jordan. She then went on to work in the Housing First movement in the local homeless services community. These experiences inspired her to enroll in the Master's International Peace Corps Program in the School of Social Work. She served for two years in Los Chiles, Costa Rica as a Youth Development Volunteer. In the realm of social work, Taylor is passionate about nonprofit management, innovation and social enterprise as a means of empowerment. Upon completion of her MSW, she will return to the mountains of Salt Lake City where she can work while enjoying climbing and the outdoors.
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2026
Allie Economou was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2019, she graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine and earned her Bachelor of Arts in English. After graduating from UCI, she relocated to New Orleans where she worked as an Immigration Paralegal focusing primarily on family-based immigration cases, humanitarian-based relief, naturalization, and removal defense. She also worked as an educator in the Jefferson Parish school district for one academic year. Allie is now attending the University of Michigan to pursue her Master’s in Social Work. As a JCLP student, she looks forward to exploring the intersection of Judaism and social justice. She is passionate about mental health awareness and health promotion.
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2026
Haley Mozen was born and raised in the Jewish community of metro-Detroit. In 2024, she graduated with honors from the University of Michigan and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Crime and Justice. Post graduation, Haley began working as a psychometrician for the Rochester Center For Behavioral Medicine. Haley is now attending the University of Michigan to pursue her Master’s in Social Work. She is pursuing the Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health and Substance Abuse pathway in addition to being a part of the JCLP cohort of 2026. Haley’s social work interests include working with kids, disordered eating, and LGBTQ+ populations. In her spare time, Haley loves reading, getting outside, and listening to music.
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2026
Izzy Slesnick was born and raised in Ohio. Izzy wanted something different for her undergraduate years and decided to study at Michigan State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a minor in Youth and Society in December of 2023. Izzy is excited to continue her higher education at the University of Michigan with the pathway of Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse, along with being a part of the JCLP 2026 cohort. Izzy's interests in social work include working with children and families in nonprofit and hospital settings, and she hopes to secure a field placement in those areas. Outside of school, Izzy enjoys keeping up with geopolitical affairs, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2026
Jordyn Lash was born and raised in Metro Detroit. In 2024, she graduated from University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and completed the Ross Cappo Sales Track. Jordyn is excited to return to U-M to complete her Masters in Social Work through the Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Pathway as part of the JCLP cohort. Jordyn has been an active member in several nonprofit organizations in her Jewish community such as BBYO, Friendship Circle, Jewish Federation, and Camp Tamarack. Jordyn hopes to use her degree to become a therapist at a Jewish organization or to work in a Jewish nonprofit to help increase community involvement overall. When she is not busy with work or school, Jordyn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going on long walks, traveling, and going to art fairs and farmer’s markets.
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2026
Natalie Fenwick grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah where she was very involved in the small Jewish Community. She attended Brandeis University and graduated in 2021. After graduating with a BA in Sociology, Natalie worked at Big Sister Association of Greater Boston as a Match Support Specialist and Event Planner. She is excited to move to a new part of the country for grad school. Natalie is pursuing the IP path and has interests in youth mental health, education, and sexual health and sex education. In her free time Natalie enjoys reading, thrifting, and spending time outside!
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2026
Rebecca Rich was born and raised in Bethesda, Maryland and moved to West Bloomfield, Michigan in 2019. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Brandeis University in 2022, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies with a minor in Arabic Language, Literature, and Culture. After graduation, she spent nine months volunteering in Israel via the Yahel Social Change Fellowship, then spent an additional year in Jackson, Mississippi working for the Institute of Southern Jewish Life as a Program Associate. Rebecca is excited to be earning her Master's in Social Work via the Community Change pathway and the JCLP cohort of 2026. She hopes to use this degree to create and foster meaningful intercultural spaces within and beyond the Jewish community, making sure there is room for everyone at the table. In her spare time, she enjoys singing, spending time in nature, watching TV and movies, and spending quality time with her friends and family.
University of Michigan
School of Social Work
1080 South University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106