Melissa Stek's culturally humble attitude is a huge asset to the School of Social Work and to the field as a whole. She speaks Spanish and makes a point to immerse herself in the culture of the clients that she works with. I had the privilege of seeing Melissa in action during an advocacy event organized by her field placement. The dignity-centered, empowering principles that guide Melissa are evident in her interactions with clients. Everything from her body language to her genuine enthusiasm for her group's successes tells you that Melissa and the teenagers she works with accept her as a team member as opposed to an authoritarian figure. Her character paired with these invaluable skills makes us remarkably proud to call Melissa a fellow social worker, advocate, and ally...READ MORE   

In 1985, students rallied, staging a sit-in at the office of Henry Johnson, Vice President of Student Services, to raise awareness and voice their concern of the lack of resources available for women on campus, and the need for a rape crisis center. These students would be amazed at how their vision has transpired into the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) on the University's campus.  SAPAC provides services, for both men and women, to survivors of sexual assault, interpersonal violence (IPV), and stalking.  Equality, respect, social justice and survivor empowerment are at the core of SAPAC's programs which implement strategies of prevention, trainings, legal and medical assistance. Most importantly, SAPAC provides survivor focused services where the survivor is supported. SAPAC employs full-time trained staff, volunteers, and student interns, all of whom participate in extensive trainings...READ MORE  

Regardless of the area of practice that social workers choose, we are all required by the NASW Code of Ethics to make ourselves aware of social justice issues. Keeping abreast of matters affecting our clients, current and potential, almost always means keeping a pulse on realities faced by vulnerable populations. This is required to increase the efficacy of a social worker. One of the most pressing social justice issues surrounds the United State's immigration policies. In an effort to address immigration policy and immigration reform, an expert immigration panel was held at the School of Social Work on November 11th. Social Work Allies for Immigrant Rights (SWAIR) partnered with Common Sense Action to host the event for students, faculty, and community members. Professor Laura Sanders and Professor Sherri Kossoudji were the two expert panelists who shared their insight, research, and field experience with attendees that night...READ MORE

Sex trafficking does not just happen in foreign countries and in Liam Neeson movies. It happens much closer to home. Earlier this year, two Lansing residents were arrested for luring an underage teen to work as a prostitute in a sex trafficking ring. The assailants posted nude photos of the girl on Backpage.com, then drugged her, and took her to a motel in Lansing to pimp her. In September of this year, a 28-year old man from Kalamazoo was convicted for prostituting 16, 17, and 20-year-old girls at a hotel in Chicago. Other stories range from arrests made in Grand Rapids for sex trafficking to arrests made in Columbus, Ohio and the surrounding region...READ MORE