Students & Alumni
Pages
Admitted 2016
Nate Robertson
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 Langreney
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.
Tammy Scully
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.
Taylor Thurman
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.
Class of 2025
Julia Diskin
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2025
Julia Diskin was born and raised in the Jewish community of metro-Detroit. In 2023, she graduated with honors from Michigan State University and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Judaic Studies. Julia 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 2025. Julia’s interests in the field of social work are broad. She will be completing three field placements; in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, at a JCC summer camp, and as a therapist. Though she has not narrowed down precisely what population she will work with, she is confident that she will be well equipped upon graduation. In her spare time, Julia sees friends and family who keep her going and are always cheering her on.
Max Richardson
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2025
Max Richardson was born and raised in Michigan. After having spent his youth in the metro-Detroit area, Max received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minor in Civic Engagement from Cornell College in 2021. Post graduation, Max worked as an educator at a boarding school for neurodivergent youth in Asheville, North Carolina. Then, he took a job as a Registered Behavior Therapist for an Applied Behavior Analysis therapy company in Denver, Colorado. After relocating to his home state, Max worked as a Behavior Specialist for the overnight YMCA camp in Jackson, Michigan that he had grown up attending as a camper. Max is excited to be a part of JCLP and to be pursuing a Master’s of Social work through the Welfare of Children and Families Pathway. He is also interested in pursuing the Social Work in School Settings Specialization. When not in school, Max enjoys spending time with friends and family, camping, playing video games and reading comic books.
Shayna Danto
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2025
Shayna Danto was born and raised in Metro Detroit. She joined JCLP after working as a Registered Dietitian in Detroit since 2016. Prior to her clinical work, she worked for Jewish non-profits in the Metro Detroit area such as Friendship Circle and Adamah (known as Hazon while she was there). Shayna has learned about the value of community through her work and personal life. Working in Detroit in conjunction with her personal hobbies has helped her through a personal healing journey. She hopes to become a therapist, serving individuals in the Jewish community and giving them the opportunity to thrive through their own healing experiences. When she is not busy with work or school, Shayna enjoys spending time in nature, engaging in self-care, practicing yoga and meditation, going to concerts, cuddling with her cats, planning her dream wedding, traveling, dancing with friends and having meaningful conversations with members of the community. She is looking forward to contributing to a more peaceful world for all.
Class of 2024
Ben Shovers
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2024
Ben Shovers was born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. He comes to the JCLP program after completing a Master of Management at the U-M Ross School of Business in 2022. Before completing his Master of Management, Ben graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minors in psychology and sociology. Ben hopes to eventually become a CEO of a Jewish Community Center or an Executive Director of a Jewish Federation, combining his business knowledge of finance, accounting, marketing, and overall business strategy with his social work education to optimize social services for his community. When Ben is not in school, he loves working at his Jewish summer camp (Camp Interlaken JCC), watching NBA basketball (particularly the Milwaukee Bucks), going to Michigan football games, trying new restaurants, and spending quality time with his friends and family.
Marie Aiudi Pattipati
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2024
Marie Aiudi Pattipati (she/her/hers) was raised in Connecticut and has been living in Michigan for close to ten years. She received her undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Judaic Studies at the University of Michigan in 2021. Marie is excited to return to U-M to study social work through the Program Evaluation and Research pathway as part of the JCLP cohort. Prior to attending U-M, she served eight years in the military as a member of the Army National Guard. This has played a strong role in her research as she examines group identity, values, and structures within white nationalist groups. She is proudly autistic, and is passionate about advocating for marginalized communities. She is the creator of the social media page "Ela Asherah author/advocate", which shares creative works that push back against ableism and supremacy. She is the mom of four amazing individuals whom she greatly admires, and enjoys spending time with her family swimming, hiking, and traveling. She is also an avid foodie and the co-creator of the page "Introverted and Hungry", which shares mostly local food recommendations.
Class of 2023
Abby Calef
Jewish Communal Leadership Program Class of 2023
A Dallas, TX native who was raised in Ann Arbor, Abby Calef is studying interpersonal practice. She completed her MSW field work at Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield and at Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County's Thrive Counseling Services. . Prior to joining JCLP,, Abby worked for Hillel Campus Alliance of Michigan, where she served Hillels at 10 different college campuses across the state. Her work included program planning, interfaith work, antisemitism education, partnerships with faculty and staff and meetings with university presidents. She also supervised the Nefesh (women and wellness) Engagement internship programs. Abby’s involvement with Hillel began during her time at Kalamazoo College, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Jewish Studies. During college, she helped reinvigorate “Hillel @ K” where she served in leadership positions all four years, including president. She was also the appointed Department Student Advisor for the Jewish Studies program and taught Sunday and Hebrew school at the Okun Kalamazoo Community Jewish School. Growing up in Ann Arbor, Abby was very active in the local Jewish community, working at and volunteering with Jewish Family Services and assistant teaching at Temple Beth EmethAbby is passionate about sexual health education, racial justice and interfaith dialogue, making leadership development accessible, and will sing in any a cappella group she can find.