Wayne State University

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The School of Social Work
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Alumni Board

Kimberley Adams Kimberley R. Adams, BSW '89
Alumni Board President
Dr. Kimberly Adams, a native Detroiter, graduated from Wayne State University School of Social Work with her Bachelors Degree and Howard University School of Social Work with her Masters Degree. She has worked for over 15 years in Child Welfare. Dr. Adams earned her Doctoral Degree from Loyola University-Chicago with a research interest in African American Father-Daughter Relationships. Currently Dr. Adams provides clinical services to at-risk youth with Detroit Public Schools, in addition to teaching Human Behavior Courses at Wayne State University. Dr. Adams has served a productive 2 year term as President of Wayne State University Alumni Association, where she led the group to receive the Outstanding Alumni Organization Award in 2006. In her spare time, Dr. Adams enjoys community theatre where she engages in competitive theatrical roles.
 Joanne Brogdan Joanne Brogdan, MSW ‘01
Joanne joined the alumni board in January of 2006. She is currently employed as a Michigan Children's Institute Foster Care Supervisor with the Department of Human Services in Detroit, Michigan. She has been with the department for just over 25 years. Joanne obtained her B.A. in Sociology in 1975 from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio and her MSW from Wayne State in 2001. Joanne recently became active with Case Western's Detroit Alumni Chapter. In her spare time, Joanne enjoys staying away from the computer, walking, reading, going to the movies, dancing, listening to "old school music", and spending time with family and friends. "I am looking forward to working with the board, meeting new people, and becoming a positive voice for the alumni board. My thanks to the board for this opportunity."
  Cathrine Marie Bunker, BSW ’03 and MSW ‘04
Alumni Board Treasurer
After graduating from Wayne State in 2004, Cathrine joined the Alumni Board of Directors and then moved on to an Executive Board position in 2005, currently serving as the Board’s Treasurer. Cathrine is employed at First Step, the Western Wayne County Project on Domestic and Sexual Violence a non-profit agency, as a Children’s Advocate, doing individual and group counseling, as well as working with First Step’s Assault Response program and providing Prevention Education Presentations in the community. Other interests include; advocating for the rights of children with special needs, lobbying for political changes sympathetic to social work issues, and being a “soccer mom” for her two VERY active teenage children.
 Jerry Caughey Jerry Caughey (“Coy”), MSW ‘78
Jerry Caughey ("Coy") joined the WSU Social Work Alumni Board in 2002. He attended WSU and received a BSW in 1976 and an MSW in 1978. He holds specialty certifications in case management services, substance abuse treatment, and advanced clinical practice. He works as a Mental Health Clinician for Easter Seals in Pontiac, and as a Clinical Therapist with Northeast Guidance Center in Detroit. He has been a field instructor for BSW/MSW students from WSU, University of Windsor, and other local universities. Jerry enjoys golf, motorcycling, music, and travel.
 

Tia Cobb, MSW ‘94
E-mail: ticobz@hotmail.com 
Ms. Cobb joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2002, and is currently serving as its treasurer. She is a Certified Social Worker with the State of Michigan. She works as a Program Director overseeing four programs at Federation of Youth Services. She has a love for children and youth and is dedicated to helping those who are our future. She also holds the position of Membership Chairperson for the Oakland University Black Alumni Board. She feels staying involved with the Alumni Board will help her continue to work for and with those who are our future. 
 
 Phyllis Edwards

Phyllis J. Edwards, MSW ‘02
Alumni Board Secretary
Phyllis J. Edwards, MSW, earned a bachelor of social work degree from Marygrove College, in Detroit, Mich., and received a professional graduate fellowship to attend Wayne State University, where she earned her master of social work degree. Currently, she is completing a master’s degree in urban planning at University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor. Ms. Edwards is a social services program manager with the department of Human Services and is executive director of the Madison Community Resource Center, a non-profit organization she founded. Nationally, she has served as a member-at-large for the National Association of Social Worker Board of Directors; and a member of the Executive Committee and By-laws Task Force. Previously, Phyllis served on the NASW’s Program Coordinating Committee and the Resolution Committee for delegate assembly. She is representative for NASW- Michigan and past conference co-chair for NASW-Michigan. Edwards is a City of Detroit precinct delegate, workshop facilitator, substitute teacher for the Detroit Board of Education, Detroit police reservist, and a community organizer. 
 
 Pamela Hopkins Pamela S. Hopkins, MSW ‘93
Ms. Hopkins joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2002. She is currently employed with the Family Independence Agency as a Social Services Program manager for Children’s Protective Services. She also serves on the statewide Children’s Protective Services Advisory Board. Ms. Hopkins serves her immediate community through her involvement as vice-chairperson of the Southfield Human Services Advisory Board. She takes great pride as an alumnus and says that it is an absolute pleasure to serve and give back to an institution that gave so much. She enjoys golfing, boating, traveling, and serving children and families. 
 
Faiza Najar Faiza Najar, MSW '01
Najar joined the Alumni Association Board of Directors in 2002. She is currently employed with Citizens for Better Care and volunteers for Sand Castles/Grief Support Program for Children & Families as a group facilitator and provides clerical, administrative, and patient support at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. Ms. Najar is an active member in the Arab-American and Chaldean community and her involvement has helped families settle in their new environments.
 Georgene Thornten Georgene Thornten, BSW ‘85
Georgene Thornten joined the alumni association Board of Directors in 2005. Georgene received her BSW from Wayne State in May of 1985. Her concentration was in Clinical Social Work. Georgene received her MSW from the University of Michigan in December of 1987. She served as Executive Director at Paul Martin’s Home for Boys for 10 years. Georgene currently owns and operates two businesses; an insurance agency and The Assessment Center & Counseling service. Georgene is honored to serve on the Board and looks forward to a successful tenure.