MacKenzie Case skillfully served as Graduate Program Coordinator for the past several years and was integral to the successful operation of the MSW and PhD programs. MacKenzie helped the School of Social Work develop online processes to improve the timeliness and quality of administrative procedures, she worked closely with the School of Public Health to provide outstanding advising for our MSW/MPH dual degree students, and she offered unwavering support to our PhD students. Her tireless work on behalf of graduate students and her expertise in graduate school policies and practices will certainly be missed. Please join us in wishing MacKenzie all the best in her new position with Allina Health.

Ezra Hyland, instructor of literature and First Year Experience courses in the Youth Studies program, has accepted a position in the Writing Studies program at the University of Minnesota. Ezra has provided thoughtful leadership, friendly banter and meaningful instruction in the School of Social Work and CEHD for many years. During his time at the School of Social Work, he was the organizer and moderator of the Practice Under Pressure series on social work and policing, founder of the annual African American Read-In, and most recently, facilitator of CEHD’s International Speaker Series: A Conversation on Race, Nationalism, and Sports. Ezra’s efforts within education, athletics and literacy, particularly in the North Minneapolis community, are notable. He is the board chair of Harvest Best Academy, board member of V3 Sports, member of the National Council of Teachers in English and he recently took part in One Healing Community: A Partnership Between Lights On! & the Minnesota Vikings. In Ezra’s words, “when you have children in school and the literature doesn’t look like them, it doesn’t sound like them, it does not deal with their issues, you’re pushing them out rather than inviting them in.” While we are saddened by Ezra’s departure, we are thankful for his inspiration and the tools he leaves behind, and we wholeheartedly congratulate him and look forward to collaborating with him in new ways! 

Kristen Perron moved on from her Field Coordinator position at the end of this academic year. Kristen started at the School in 2015 and was an invaluable member of the field education team. Our tremendous loss is St. Olaf College’s gain because Kristen accepted an Assistant Professor position in their Bachelor of Social Work program. She will continue to work as a field educator at St. Olaf. Kristen’s commitment to excellence in social work education and practice was evidenced in all of the work she did for us in the School. She was a passionate instructor, a superb field coordinator, and a wonderful colleague. We wish Kristen much happiness and success in her new position at St. Olaf.

Jennifer Witt stepped down as Director of Continuing Education but fortunately for the SSW, Jen looks forward to continuing her work in the school via adjunct teaching and continued involvement in the white accountability group. Jen worked for the School of Social Work for over 16.5 years, with 12 years at the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse serving as a Program Director and Associate Director, and 4.5 years as the Director of Continuing Education. Also, she has taught undergraduate and graduate classes since 2007, focusing on ending gender-based violence and working for social justice.  In her most recent work, she is proud of collaborating with talented colleagues and local and national partners to grow the Continuing Education Program, adding a new 10-month, fully online, national, cohort-based Trauma-Effective Leadership Competency Certificate and growing both the Supervision in Social Work and Interdisciplinary Trauma Certificates.  Her goal in leaving is to devote more time to teaching and more fully return home to gender-based violence work.