2021 Recipient
Mary K. Kitzmiller, College of Social Science
Juvenile Risk Assessment: Reducing Recidivism and Improving Service Delivery for Justice-Involved Youth in Michigan
In May 2018, Kitzmiller began partnering with the Ingham County 30th Circuit Court as project manager of the Juvenile Risk Assessment Team (JRAT). Her research project, Juvenile Risk Assessment: Reducing Recidivism and Improving Service Delivery for Justice-Involved Youth in Michigan, is situated in the context of growing grassroots support for the integration of evidence-based practices in the evaluation and treatment of justice-involved youth. As project manager, Kitzmiller works with a team of juvenile court managers, data analysts, clinicians, and MSU students and faculty to provide training, technical assistance, and quality assurance to the juvenile division of the Court. The work with JRAT has led to significant change in the evaluation and treatment of justice-involved youth, both within Ingham County and in court jurisdictions across Michigan. Kitzmiller considers this experience as one of the most formative of her graduate career, motivating her plan to pursue a career in applied community-engaged research related to youth in the justice system upon graduation.
Commendations for Excellence in Community Engagement Scholarship
The following nominees for the Graduate Student Award for Community Engagement Scholarship were recognized with Commendations for Excellence in Community Engagement Scholarship for their outstanding contributions:
Shavonna Green, College of Social Science
Criminal Justice Reform: Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration
As a volunteer for ACLU-MI, Shavonna Green’s work focused on criminal justice reform through the Smart Justice Campaign, whose mission is to terminate policies that are excessively harsh and lead to mass incarceration, racial injustice, and overcriminalization. Whether providing advocacy around constituents’ voting rights or providing support for the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration Bill Package, Shavonna Green’s efforts on the Campaign helped to foster change in Michigan’s criminal justice system.
Will Langford, College of Education
Metro Detroit Youth Arts Competition
As a Board Member for the Mint Youth Artists Guild, Will Langford co-created the Metro Detroit Youth Arts Competition, engaging Detroit-area artists ages 0-21 to create visual or literary art that was celebrated in gallery walks, poetry performances, and online venues. The Competition encouraged creativity, resilience, and unity, allowing families to unite around the arts in the safety and comfort of their homes.
Ellie Small and Justin Abadejos, College of Osteopathic Medicine
Detroit Street Care
Formed in 2014, Detroit Street Care (DSC) partners with many outreach organizations in the city of Detroit to meet the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness and provide them with the highest level of care possible. Understanding the increased challenges of being homeless during the pandemic, Ellie Small and Justin Abadejos supported and sustained hand washing stations created by DSC. Also, as past and current presidents (respectively) of the DSC, they continue to provide leadership in advocacy, working as part of the Detroit Street Medicine Advocacy Alliance to elevate the voices of the homeless.
