Anniversary Programs

Time: Ongoing

The CASC Stories Project was initiated by the 10 Year Anniversary Alumni Committee to capture the diverse stories, contributions, and experiences of alumni during their time in the minor. Each story will be included in an interactive platform to highlight the history of student experiences in the minor, as well as future directions, and visions of CASC’ing. As we continue to collect data, interviews, and other knowledge about the minor, we encourage you to complete the following online google form by sharing a picture and/or story of a memorable experience you had either in CASC courses, programs, events, or otherwise!

Time: Monthly since November, 2019

PodCASC is an ongoing series of interviews that feature the diverse stories of CASC Alumni who share highs, lows, and other revelations about community action and social change after college. Alumni discuss a range of issues, like finding a social justice community in a new city, navigating social justice language in different work cultures, finding a balance between their passion and capacity, and much more. Visit Simplecast, Spotify, or ApplePodcast to subscribe and tune in!

Listen here >>

Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Time: 12 - 2 pm

The following session will explore themes presented in Tawana Petty’s book Towards Humanity: Shifting the Culture of Anti-Racism Organizing. Through a lecture and discussion, the presenter will explore pressing issues facing antiracist organizing and her vision and approach to a humanistic philosophy. Following the lecture, the speaker will host a conversation with community development organizer Lauren A. Hood to discuss how Detroit based organizers navigate questions, themes, and challenges in ant-racist organizing, applications of humanism, and other guiding philosophical principles toward change. This event is co-sponsored by the Community Action and Social Change Minor Program, SSW Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the Semester in Detroit Program.

More information and RSVP here >>

This event is co-sponsored by the SSW Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Semester in Detroit Program.

Time: Tuesday February 18th, 2020

Time: 5 - 7 pm

Join us a for a panel discussion and mixer with CASC Minor alumni. Panelists will share their stories and journey engaging in social justice and change work. Learn more about their academic career as undergraduate students, experience in the minor, and the challenges, and lessons learned about applications of social justice "in the real world". Light dinner served

More information and RSVP here >>

Panelists:

• Mark Chou: (he/him) I serve as a Strategy Specialist at Facebook. I manage large-scale and complex data collection and annotation programs for artificial intelligence and machine learning purposes, including automatic speech recognition, language translation, and Facebook’s virtual assistant across 80+ languages.Previously, I worked as the Director of Special Projects at Bedford Stuyvesant Collegiate, a charter school that's a part of Uncommon Schools. In his role, I served on the operations team and served the 330 middle school students, 40 staff members, and hundreds of family members. Prior to Uncommon, I served as the Manager of the College Connections Program at the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts in its Development, Marketing, and Communications Office.I graduated from the University of Michigan and received a Bachelor of Arts in political science and attained a minor in community action and social change in addition to writing.
• Caitlyn Rize: (she/her) Caitlyn is a third year student at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and she holds a Master of Social Work with an emphasis in Community Organizing from the University of Michigan. Her career goals consist of utilizing the veterinarian-patient-client relationship to improve health outcomes for both veterinary patients and human clients, especially among marginalized populations. She has professional experience at the Michigan State University Veterinary Social Work Service, a number of animal rescues/shelters, and with VeTouch -- a completely free, student-run monthly veterinary clinic in downtown Minneapolis. She is the national student representative for the Human Animal Bond Association and she has won a number of student awards while advocating for the human experience in the veterinary setting.
• Katie Corbit: Katie Corbit (she/her) is a second year Master of Public Health student in Health Behavior Health Education at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. After she graduated from CASC in 2014, she began working in Maternal Child Health and women's empowerment programs in the non-profit sector. Katie currently serves as a Research Assistant for the Detroit Urban Research Center and Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine. Her research interests include: community-based participatory research, reproductive justice, and community-based policy solutions.
• Mary Naoum: Mary Naoum (she/her) currently serves as the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Project Manager in the city of Detroit, supporting grassroots and institutional partners to design and implement the front-end criminal legal system reform initiative. A Master of Social Work and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, Mary has spent the past 6 years engaging with local and state organizations that promote healthy communities through ending mass incarceration and investing in the types of resources that actually keep neighborhoods strong and safe. Mary started her career working with Senator Stephanie Chang, a fellow Umich MSW/MPP alum, helping the Senator successfully win her first run for State House and then developing Girls Making Change, a political leadership pipeline for high school girls of color in the district. Mary sustains herself by nurturing friendships-- particularly her deep relationships with women who inspire her-- snuggling her nephews, and frequent deep belly laughs with her partner.
• Angelizmar Rodriguez: Angelizmar Rodriguez (she/her) was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, before attending The University of Michigan to obtain her Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a Master's degree in Social Work. She was inspired to pursue a career in Student Affairs after having many positive experiences working for several programs to support students outside of the classroom. Angelizmar is passionate about cultivating positive, supportive, and inclusive environments for students to learn, collaborate, and grow.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, this event on Tuesday, March 17 is canceled. More information regarding rescheduling this event will be posted later.

The following lecture is in the spirit of the CASC Minor 10 Year Anniversary theme: Celebrating Student Action Toward Campus & Community Change. The program will present discussion and reflection about the influence of student led action in shifting societal culture, and transforming institutions of higher education. Led by public speaker, human rights activist and educator Kim Katrin, the session will explore important issues, approaches, and challenges in student led social action including intersectional organizing, allyship and co-resistance, coalition building, and fostering institutional change. The session will conclude with a reaction and conversation from Michelle Saboo, and U-M School of Social Work and CASC Minor alumnas, followed by question and answer.

More information and RSVP here >>

This event is co-sponsored by the SSW Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, this event on Thursday, April 2 is canceled. More information regarding rescheduling this event will be posted later.

Since 2010, the CASC minor is a space that fosters community among students engaged in social change and provides course work and experiences aimed at helping students deepen their understanding of what it means to be a change agent. Join us in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the minor, and the community that shape the direction, work, voice, and vision for the future.

The 10-year anniversary celebration will highlight the history of the minor, commemorate alumni, and lift up the work of current students committed to social change, in diverse contexts. The program will feature presentations and performances by alumni, and highlight reflections and community focused initiatives led by students in the minor.

The program will conclude with a roll out of the Community Art Installation, designed by CASC students and alumni to commemorate the vision of the minor, and honor the role of activism, social movements, and core principles of community-based action.

We look forward to celebrating the CASC 10 year anniversary with the broader campus community, and invite your participation in this exciting occasion.

More information and RSVP here >>

Submit Your Project Here >>

Time: April 2020

In 2018, CASC alumni and students were commissioned to design and create a community art installation that commemorates the mission and vision of CASC, and celebrates the expansion of the office in the School of Social Work Building 3640 Suite. As a part of 10 year anniversary events, the installation will be revealed as a part of the CASC 10 year anniversary celebration. We want to thank the incredible artists working on this ongoing project that will maintain a home in the CASC suite. See highlights on social media @cascminor (instagram, twitter, and facebook)

Artists:

Miles Honey, Art & Design, (graduating W20)

Katherine (Katie) LaCroix, Art & Design, (graduating W20)

Daniel Lopez, LSA Sociology (graduated W19)

Kira Appelman, Art & Design, (graduated F18)

Time: Ongoing

We are relying on some alumni support to help celebrate the 10th class of CASC graduates who will no longer be able to participate in commencement activities. Please share an inspirational postcard message to the following google form! Each message will be printed and shared with the Class of 2020 to encourage their journey as future alumni change agents.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, Winter 2020 CASC graduation ceremony is canceled.

Program details will be published in a monthly newsletter.

Please email cascminor@umich.edu if you have any questions.