Dr. Connie Sung is a Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Dr. Sung’s research focuses on the role of biopsychosocial factors and community-based interventions in improving individuals with disabilities in transition, career development, and psychosocial adjustment. She has authored over 90 publications in disability and rehabilitation and received multiple prestigious research awards.

As a key investigator, Dr. Sung has secured over USD$20 million in research funding from state and federal agencies, leading/co-leading multiple projects emphasizing a holistic, strengths-based approach, and developing community-based interventions for improving the quality of life and career development of individuals with disabilities. This involves interdisciplinary, interagency, and international collaborations, extending to countries like Hong Kong, China, Ireland, the UK, Slovakia, Ghana, Botswana, and Mali. Her commitment to disability and inclusion worldwide is underscored by her invited presentations at the United Nations General Assembly’s Science Summit.

Alyssa Hernandez is a proud, queer, Latina from Detroit, Michigan. She finds passion and sense of purpose when her work leads people and communities to access opportunities that help them prosper. Alyssa received a Bachelor’s in Family Community Services with a specialization in Adolescent Development and a Master’s in Business Administration from Michigan State University. She specializes in integrative staff management, employment advancement skills, and community building.

Her previous work experiences include helping people to advocate for themselves, managing issue-based and local leadership campaigns, guiding robust Career Coaching programs, and leading data management systems. She is currently the Program Manager for Project Empower and Employ (EMP2) at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor School of Social Work.

Sagun holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Education with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Dickinson College. She has contributed to research and outreach efforts for various grant-funded projects at University of Michigan School of Social Work and Michigan State University. Sagun’s work is deeply shaped by her experiences working for and with diverse communities, focusing on developing, implementing, and evaluating community-based interventions to improve academic, career, employment, mental health, and justice-related outcomes for individuals facing significant social isolation and discrimination. Sagun has worked in various capacities with marginalized college students, families affected by substance use, incarcerated youth and adults, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of relationship and sexual violence.

Sagun’s research explores the historical, socio-political, and intergenerational determinants of well-being to better contextualize and address contemporary social inequities. A queer, community-based researcher from Nepal, Sagun is passionate about bridging equity gaps in support services and advocating for inclusive, systemic change.

Zoe Beaudry is a graphic design and content marketing professional with eight years of industry experience in corporate settings, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions alike. She is passionate about using her skills to help mission-driven organizations optimize their design and communication systems.

Zoe comes from a fine arts background, holding degrees in Studio Art from Kalamazoo College and the Glasgow School of Art.  In addition to her digital communications work, she has spent time working in art education, teaching workshops for the Ypsilanti-based Youth Arts Alliance and as adjunct faculty in Illustration Department at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

Cat Hadley is a full-time MSW student at the University of Michigan, focused on community-centered approaches to social and economic inequality. She has led national advocacy efforts, built cross-movement coalitions, and developed grassroots programs that strengthen working-class power. Cat’s work spans economic justice, democracy reform, and community-driven organizing. She also serves as an elected Trustee on the Ann Arbor District Library Board, where she supports accountable, community-focused governance. Her honors include being named a Truman Scholar and a New Leaders Council Detroit Fellow.

Deepansha Singh (she/her) is an experience researcher and service designer whose work integrates human-centered design, accessibility, and the social impact of emerging technologies. She holds a B.Tech in Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence & Deep Learning) from Mody University, India, and an M.S. in Design Science from the University of Michigan.

At the STEP Lab, she supports the research, design, and evaluation of AI-powered adaptive learning tools for youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Her interests lie at the intersection of inclusive education, civic technology, and design for cognitively and culturally diverse communities. Deepansha is passionate about advancing equitable, research-driven innovation in both academic and applied contexts to foster meaningful, accessible learning and participation for all.

Kaden Sanders is a Research Assistant at STEP Lab at the University of Michigan. Kaden studies Computer Science in the College of Engineering and is deeply engaged in both academics and campus life, including leadership in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). As Finance Chair, he has coordinated corporate partnerships and organized events—such as student career fairs—that broaden access and opportunity. Outside the classroom, he enjoys powerlifting and billiards, interests that help him connect with students from diverse backgrounds. Kaden’s goal at the STEP Lab is to support fellow students’ technical growth and foster a collaborative academic community. 

Jillian Eck is a first year MSW student at the University of Michigan on the Community Change pathway. Jillian earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Nonprofit Administration at Western Michigan University, where she held several on campus roles in peer mentorship, health education, and evaluation. In August 2025, she began her two-year term on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Association for Evaluation. In her career as a social worker, Jillian hopes to amplify the voices of survivors of domestic and sexual violence along with advocating for reproductive healthcare accessibility. She is deeply passionate about encouraging others to dive deeper into their passions and being a resource on where to find the tools needed to achieve their goals. 

Laura Suprenant is a Master of Social Work student at the University of Michigan, focused on advancing disability justice, mental health equity, and globally informed approaches to inclusion. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication from Illinois State University, where she developed skills in narrative storytelling and representation-focused media. 

Laura’s lived experience with disability informs her critical engagement with structural inequity, accessibility, and culturally situated models of care. Her long-term professional goals include disability-informed psychotherapeutic practice with adults and children, alongside cross-cultural scholarship and global disability advocacy. She aims to support the development of more just, inclusive, and culturally responsive systems of care across diverse international contexts. 

Zhinan (Joanna) Guo is an MSW student in the Interpersonal Practice pathway at the University of Michigan. She has experience in qualitative and mixed-methods research across projects. Her work is guided by an interest in how developmental and ecological contexts shape students’ engagement, coping, and transition experiences. 

Joanna has previously worked with community organizations, school-based programs, and research labs in the U.S. and Hong Kong, contributing to focus group analysis, interview coding, survey development, and program evaluation.She is passionate about supporting marginalized youth through culturally responsive, strengths-based approaches that promote autonomy, self-determination, and successful transitions. 

Haileystar, a Houston, Texas native, is a Junior Honors student at Albion College pursuing a double major in Economics & Management and Music, with a minor and concentration in Business and Management. As a disabled college student, she is dedicated to advocating for greater access to higher education, employment, and independence for people with disabilities. Her current Honors thesis, The Way Traditional Mexican Cuisine Can Alleviate the Symptoms of Metabolic Disorders, explores how cultural foods can support medical dietary needs without sacrificing tradition. 

Ty W. Krauss, MPA, is the Supervisor of Student Employment Services at Mott Community College, where he leads initiatives to provide students with meaningful career opportunities and an extraordinary college experience. With over 13 years of dedicated service in Workforce and Economic Development, Ty has built a career focused on creating pathways to success for students and communities alike. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Central Michigan University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Northern Michigan University. 

Alvin Brewer MA, LLPC, is a dedicated vocational rehabilitation professional with extensive experience supporting individuals with disabilities through counseling, accommodations, and employment services. He currently serves as a Rating Veteran Service Representative with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he analyzes complex medical evidence, applies federal regulations, and prepares disability rating decisions for Veterans.

Alvin previously coordinated statewide STEMM career pathways at Michigan State University and delivered impactful rehabilitation and accommodation services at Amazon, generating over $1.7M in cost savings and improving approval outcomes. With a career spanning Michigan Rehabilitation Services, higher education, and federal service, he is recognized for leadership, training, and advocacy in disability inclusion. Alvin also serves on nonprofit and advisory boards.