Contact a Current SSW Student

Once you've read through their bios, scroll down to choose which student you want to connect with!

Note: Based on volume, some student ambassadors may not be available. Available ambassadors are able to be chosen on the form.

Ruthie Wyshogrod
Class of 2024
Pronouns: she/her
Most recently from: Tel Aviv-Yaffa, Israel
Internship placement location(s): Boston, MA; Western MA

I am a white, cis, able-bodied, Jewish woman. I was raised in an upper middle class family with divorced parents in both Israel and Massachusetts, the grandchild of Holocaust survivors. I am married and came to Smith SSW as a career changer after 10 years in non-profit administration and grant writing in the fields of co-existence, anti-occupation work, and public health in Israel-Palestine and the US.

I am interested in working with families and adolescents, with a focus on issues of immigration and asylum, intergenerational trauma, and mental illness. I am drawn to trauma theory, relational psychodynamic work, family theory, and narrative therapy.

I am happy to speak to my experiences being an older, partnered student in the program.

Antara Anand
Class of 2025
Pronouns: she/her
Most recently from: San Francisco, CA
Internship placement location(s): San Francisco, CA

I am a first year MSW student and my current placement is at a public middle school in San Francisco. I’m an immigrant from India, and I’ve lived in California since moving to the United States 9 years ago. Prior to attending Smith, I studied Economics in undergrad and worked as a management consultant.

I chose Smith for its psychodynamic and psychoanalytic focus, and I’m excited to continue building a clinical practice with this theoretical base. Other emerging areas of interest include somatic therapy and integrating abolitionist principles into social work practice. I’m also interested in working with adults in the future, particularly working with BIPOC and immigrant communities.

I found it helpful to talk to current students during my application process and I’d love to be a support for others in a similar position, particularly those interested in connecting around career changes or immigration.

Callie Angrisani
Class of 2024
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Most recently from: Greenfield, MA
Internship placement location(s): Northampton, MA

My name is Callie Angrisani and I am currently a first year MSW student. I am a New York City transplant who moved to the Pioneer Valley in the summer of 2019 and have been living here ever since. My partner and I live in Greenfield with our dog Lyla and our cat Xena.

I am excited to be getting further along into the world of clinical work. I formerly studied early childhood/childhood education and am very interested in working with children and families. I love making deep and meaningful connections which is in part what has brought me to this work.

I am a potter, a dog lover, and an outdoor enthusiast. I love exercising and seeing live music whenever I get the chance. I am thrilled to be an Admission Ambassador!

Rian Bodner
Class of 2024
Pronouns: He/They
Most recently from: New York
Internship placement location(s): Brooklyn, NY

I am a 44 year old queer cis man, culturally Jewish, originally from Los Angeles and Residing in New York since 2001.

With an earlier background in acting, voice, and dance, I have more recently spent the last 12 years teaching yoga, meditation, and sound healing, leading teacher trainings, and owning a yoga studio in NY. I am interested in working with the LGBTQ+ community and those who have experienced trauma. My current field placement is at an elementary school in Brooklyn, NY.

I am excited to have taken on the responsibility of a Master's Degree at this stage of my life, and the opportunity to reexamine the self-limiting concepts about my academic abilities from my previous educational experiences.

Reeve Buchdahl
Class of 2024
Pronouns: they/them
Most recently from: Pittsburgh, PA
Internship placement location(s): Jacksonville, FL; Durham, NC

I am a white, non-binary, queer, and Jewish person who will be a third-generation social worker. I was born and raised in Baltimore but have been moving around several states in the past few years. After graduating with a degree in Theatre Arts and minors in Stage Management and Psychology, I went straight into my MSW program here at Smith.

My main professional interests are in working with queer and transgender youth in southern states. I did my first placement working at an LGBTQ+ community mental health center in Florida and I am now working at the Duke Gender Care Clinic in North Carolina. I am passionate about equity, advocacy, and education for marginalized communities and beyond.

Getting ready to graduate from Smith SSW 60 years after my grandmother did, I am excited to share my experience and thoughts with incoming and prospective students.

Paloma Chávez
Class of 2024
Pronouns: she/her/ella
Most recently from: San Francisco, CA
Internship placement location(s): San Francisco, CA

Hola, mi nombre es Paloma Chavez, I am a first generation college graduate and the first in my family to attend graduate school. As the first daughter of Mexican migrants, I have had to use my parent's wisdom and teachings to learn to navigate systems within higher education. I am currently on a journey to reclaim and relearn about my indigenous lineage and being in a space like Smith College and sharing a space with people at Smith College has provided me with a great deal of support to continue this journey.

After graduating from Smith, I hope to continue doing work within the Latinx community and to continue using the traditional knowledge that I am reconnecting with at my current placement. In the next five years I see myself staying local, in San Francisco, doing community based work and in the next ten years I see myself working within prison walls doing clinical work with incarcerated men.

Gadria Conlan
Class of 2024
Pronouns: she/her
Most recently from: Cohoes, NY
Internship placement location(s): Albany, NY and Hudson River Valley, NY

I am a black ciswoman, born and raised in the Capital Region of New York. I also identify as transracial adoptee. I have been a movement artist since the age of four, specializing in the styles of ballet, pointe, modern, tap and jazz.

I am a Skidmore College graduate with a dual B.S. degree in Social Work and Dance (Performance and Choreography) in 2021. My background with movement sparked my interest in the connection between life experiences (i.e.trauma) and their manifestations within the human body. My areas of interest include CBT, Trauma-Sensitive Yoga and Mindfulness. So far, I have come to know that I enjoy working with Pre-K kiddos and adolescents.

Being able to communicate with current students was definitely something that helped me to understand and prepare for the program. As someone with an anxiety disorder, I want to support and uplift anyone battling that negative self-talk and doubt. Happy to share my experiences with whomever is willing to listen.

Gadria was interviewed by the School in Sept. 2023 - check out the article!

Reneé Daniel
Class of 2024
Pronouns: she/they
Most recently from: San Francisco Bay Area
Internship placement location(s): San Francisco Bay Area

I am a mixed race queer person from the SF Bay Area.

I studied Social Justice at the undergrad and graduate level and apply a social justice lens to my clinical practice. I have worked with adolescents in high school and middle school settings and am currently working with veterans.

I have a background in grief work, community organizing, and wellness. I see social work as a way to combine my interest and utilize my skills to be client-centered.

Aviva Davis
Class of 2024
Pronouns: she/they
Most recently from: New Haven, CT
Internship placement location(s): Boston, MA

I am a Black, queer, Jewish individual currently residing in Boston, though born and raised in Oakland, CA. I am passionate about exploring community in all aspects of my identity, especially the areas in which they intersect.

I am passionate about working with young people and have experience with young folks in kindergarten through early college. In my first year, I worked with Wayside Youth and Family Support Network, an organization that provides in home therapy to young people and their caregivers. This year, I am on the clinical team of the Ivy Street School, a therapeutic high school in the Boston area.

Maddy Derentz
Class of 2024
Pronouns: she/her
Most recently from: San Francisco, CA
Internship placement location(s): San Francisco, CA

I am a 27 year old, white, queer, cis woman born and raised in California and currently living in San Francisco. When I'm not working, I enjoy crocheting, reading, baking, hiking, seeing live music, watching weird documentaries, and spending time with my two cats and loved ones.

My professional interests lie at the intersection of community mental health and addressing systemic barriers to care. I am passionate about serving the unhoused, LGBTQ+ folks, those struggling with substance use, and the elderly. As a future social worker, I hope to engage in compassionate direct service while keeping in mind the macro and mezzo issues affecting available resources.

I graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 2018 after studying Psychology. After graduating I worked in multiple residential treatment facilities for individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. These professional experiences led me to pursue social work as a career at Smith as a Five College Circle Scholar. I have experience working in residential facilities, providing individuals therapy to adults, and case management services. I'm here to answer any questions you have about living in Western Mass, attending Smith College, or navigating the nuances of graduate school as a prospective student.

Brigid Donnellan
Class of 2024
Pronouns: she/her
Most recently from: Washington, DC
Internship placement location(s): Northampton, MA

I am a white, queer, cis woman originally from Atlanta, Georgia.

My clinical work centers queer and trans youth and young adults, as well as strengthening their existing support systems through family systems work. I strive to integrate academic, lived, and clinical experience to best support my clients through their respective journeys and walk alongside them as they imagine, experience, and enjoy the lives they create for themselves.

I completed my bachelors degree at Smith College in 2018, majoring in The Study of Women & Gender and Government. Following graduation, I worked at a tech start-up in Washington, DC before returning to Smith for my MSW. Please reach out with any questions related to career changes, the Five College Circle of Scholars program, or whatever is on your mind!

Wesley Haaf
Class of 2024
Pronouns: he/they
Most recently from: New Haven, CT
Internship placement location(s): Hartford, CT; Greenfield, MA

A first-generation college student from outside of New Haven, CT, I studied creative writing and media studies at a small Vermont liberal arts school. Both my interests in literature and psychoanalysis as well as my previous work in college counseling led me to discover my passion for therapy and social work.

I am invested in exploring relationships between cultural identity and the unconscious, particularly as it relates to masculine-identifying persons who experience issues involving depression, anxiety, trauma, vulnerability, trust, desire, gender, sexuality, and a sense of self. Where might tenderness lie in the tension between behavior and inner life, and how might isolation protect us from ourselves and others? These questions and many more drive my clinical practice.

I spent my first practicum facilitating group therapy for teens experiencing psychosis, and I currently work as an outpatient therapist at a community mental health agency. Outside of social work, I find meaning in making music and writing.

Already know who you want to chat with? Jump to the form!

Julia Montevechi
Class of 2024
Pronouns: she/her
Most recently from: Pennsylvania
Field placement location(s): New York City

I am a fresh college graduate turned graduate student in my second year at Smith SSW! I moved to New York City for my field placements but am originally from Pennsylvania. I am very active on campus in the summer, working in many departments for the college. Ask me anything!

I am interested in humanistic, relational, and mentorship models of therapy. I like to work with children and adolescents, although my first placement was with adults. Eventually, I want to work with my criminal justice focus, as a youth counselor for incarcerated adolescents.

I love playing badminton on campus, hanging out with friends, and watching anime! Catch me on the SSW instagram doing a “day in the life” from this past summer!

Kara Morgan
Class of 2024
Pronouns: they/them
Most recently from: New York, NY
Internship placement location(s): New York, NY; Ithaca, NY

I am a white, autistic, non-binary and transgender social work student in my late twenties. I am disabled and I approach social work with a disability justice and a DisCrit (Disability justice + critical race theory) lens. Some of the ten principles of disability justice I aspire for and often fail at, include interdependence, leadership of the most impacted, and anti-capitalist politics, among others.

A year and a half into this program, my work is focusing in on centering on the therapeutic relationship, the trust the client and I build together, and recognition of how our experiences are impacted by the systems around us – socioeconomic, racial, and political, among others.

I entered social work with a background in journalism, non-profit communications, technical support, and customer service. I'm currently interning in a college counseling setting, which has helped me explore my long-time goal of working with fellow queer, trans, and neurodiverse folks.

During my weekends, I explore Ithaca and surrounding areas with my pup, a cattle-beagle-everything dog mix named Scoobs. I enjoy going to comedy shows, watching ‘trash’ TV shows, and baking with box mixes.

Kyleigh Murchison
Class of 2024
Pronouns: She/Her
Most recently from: Maine
Internship placement location(s): Western Massachusetts

Hi! My name is Kyleigh, I am a queer first generation college student from Maine in their second year at the SSW. I have experience working with folks who are incarcerated, school aged children, and am currently completing my final practicum in a community mental health agency. I have an integrative practice that includes attachment theory, object relations, and ego psychology. The therapeutic relationship is the most important part of our work, and that takes precedence in the work that I do with my clients. I strongly believe that becoming a clinical social worker that gets to bear witness to human success and suffering is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly, so let's talk about what that looks like for you!

As a first generation student, the idea of attending graduate school seemed impossible; having support and guidance from the students at Smith was crucial to my decision to attend the School for Social Work. Guiding potential students through the process of applying to the SSW is one of my favorite things about being an admissions ambassador; academia can feel daunting, but you are not alone in the process. I relocated to Northampton, Massachusetts for my masters in 2022, and have found great joy and community here. Outside of the social work field, I am an avid dog lover, reader, hiker, regular yoga practicer, and a chai tea latte connoisseur. Let's talk about social work, and how to make Smith work for you!

Kyleigh was interviewed by the School in Sept. 2023 - check out the article!

Jess Odin
Class of 2025
Pronouns: she/her
Most recently from: Black Rock, CT
Internship placement location(s): New Haven, CT

I am a cis-woman of Jewish heritage. I grew up in Connecticut, and lived all over the country, prior to returning to Connecticut in 2022. I completed my undergraduate degree at Smith College in 2022 as an Ada Comstock Scholar, with majors in neuroscience and psychology.

My interests lie at the intersection of substance misuse, trauma, drug policy reform and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. I have experience working in substance abuse treatment facilities and volunteering with mutual aid networks offering support to unhoused folks and people who use substances. My undergraduate thesis centered on the therapeutic use of psychedelic substances as a treatment for substance use disorder and various other mental illnesses. I hope to one day start a practice which offers equitable access to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for historically marginalized communities in the tristate area.

I am an avid skier, snowboarder, mushroom-forager, dog-lover and artist. I can be found seeking out live music (most often Phish and various Grateful Dead iterations), reading, baking and spending time in the Catskills. I reside in Connecticut with my partner, and our dog, Spruce Skywalker.

Alexa Owen
Class of 2024
Pronouns: she/her
Most recently from: Redding, CT
Internship placement location(s): Estes Park, CO; Boulder, CO

I am a 35-year-old white, able-bodied, cis woman who enrolled at Smith SSW after taking some time away from academics to travel, try out various work passions, and immerse myself in different spiritual and wisdom traditions.

Currently I'm interested in the intersections of social justice, contemplative science, and mental health in both micro and macro settings. Alongside my training at SSW, I continue studies in the evolving fields of yoga therapy, meditation, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and how these can support the mission and values of the social work profession.

Outside of my school commitments, I enjoy hiking, baking, contact improvisation dance, bike commuting around Boulder, and spending time with friends. I'm also passionate about financial well-being during and after graduate school, and am happy to share about my process of balancing school, work, and quality of life while at SSW.

Elena Palermo
Class of 2025
Pronouns: she/her
Most recently from: Vermont
Internship placement location(s): Washington, DC

I am currently a first-year MSW student. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., I've spent the last 8 years in Vermont devoted to advocating for food sovereignty and security, reflecting my passion for nurturing a holistic well-being. Currently I am based in Washington, D.C. working at the Hope Center for Wellness, a multicultural and bilingual mental health practice focused on the holistic healing of individuals and communities. In this role I provide short-term therapy to youth, College-aged students, emerging adults, and facilitate mindfulness and expressive intervention support groups.

My path has led me to embrace mindfulness and meditation, and as both a seasoned yoga practitioner and a certified yoga teacher, I believe in the profound connections between mind and body. My career therapeutic aspirations include interlacing mindfulness-based interventions into a psychodynamic framework. Additionally, my experience living abroad and working with undocumented migrant farmworkers in Vermont has strengthened my passion to work with the Latinx and other immigrant and refugee populations.

I love to laugh, put my face in the sunshine, bake sourdough bread, and enjoy all open bodies of water! I look forward to connecting to talk about the Smith SSW program!

Kai Pratt
Class of 2025
Pronouns: He/Him
Most recently from: Warwick, MA
Internship placement location(s): Western MA

I'm a queer career-switching nature nerd, returning to academia in my 30's after spending a decade cultivating outdoor skills, mentoring youth, facilitating men and masculinity work, and beginning a farmstead project with my family. I'm from the Connecticut River valley, and would love to connect with other prospective students local to this area and beyond!

While I have many passions and interests, my professional trajectory is still largely under construction. As a long-time outdoor educator, I would like to further explore the potent magic of the natural world and its capacities to hold and heal. Not necessarily related, but also within my pursued interests: working with young adults and people who are incarcerated, abolition, group therapy, and somatic modalities.

I am currently placed at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in Greenfield, MA (aka "the jail"), where I am co-facilitating groups, working 1-on-1 with folks, and learning to navigate carceral complexities. When I'm not there, I'm usually tending farm animals, carving spoons, listening to podcasts, looking at animal tracks, or scratching doggy tummies.

KJ Quick
Class of 2024
Pronouns: he/they
Most recently from: Brooklyn, NY
Internship placement location(s): New York City

My name is KJ and I’m in my second year at Smith. I’m a trans, queer, chronically-ill person living in Brooklyn, NY and am originally from Asheville, NC. So much joy is brought into my life through writing poetry, queer line dancing, reading, watching dumb movies, swimming, hanging out with my friends, and making art.

I first became interested in clinical social work because of the immense support and love my first therapist provided me as I navigated chronic illness and grief that felt overwhelming. I finally realized I wanted to be a therapist after graduating with a B.A. in Sociology with the desire to do something more with what I had learned about oppression and systemic harm and move towards actionable steps to bring collective wellness. My goal is to work as a therapist with kids, esp. queer/trans youth in school settings and in outpatient/inpatient mental health clinics. My areas of interest include EMDR, art therapy, grief work, somatic therapy, and mindfulness. It has been and continues to be an honor and a joy to get to work in this role with clients.

Deciding to become a graduate student studying clinical social work at Smith has infinitely changed my life for the better - trust in yourself as you apply and make the decision to pursue this career, there will be so much room for abundance and growth and change to fill your life. I also want to be a support to those with disabilities of any kind who have hesitancies about entering grad school - let’s talk!

Libby Quinn
Class of 2024
Pronouns: She/Her
Most recently from: Cambridge, MA
Internship placement location(s): Portland, OR

I am a queer cis-woman living with a chronic illness who is twice educated by historically women's colleges. A proud ('just-outside-of") Bostonian, I grew up in Arlington, MA but am an avid traveller always looking for the next train, flight or boat out of town.

Through personal experience and my undergraduate education at Mount Holyoke College, I grew passionate about the intersection of policy and public health, with a particular focus on how change agents in these ecosystems influence the mental and sexual health outcomes for our society's vulnerable communities, for better or worse. I aspire to work with adolescents living with chronic illness or disabilities, as well as physicians and healthcare providers serving this population. When determining the best angle from which to confront issues in our healthcare system, social work made the most sense because of its emphasis on addressing inequalities and need for change at both individual and systems levels.

I hope to work as a therapist after finishing Smith SSW, as well as in research, ideally examining the impact power dynamics present in patient-physician relationships has on sexual health well-being and functioning of adolescents with chronic illness and disabilities.

Libby was interviewed by the School in Sept. 2023 - check out the article!

Alyssa Robb
Class of 2025
Pronouns: she/her
Most recently from: Massachusetts
Internship placement location(s): western Massachusetts

I am a 40-year old cis, white, able-bodied woman and mother of two young children based in Western Massachusetts. I am a first generation college student and the first in my family to attend graduate school. I have a background in visual art, dance, and environmental justice, and before attending Smith School for Social Work I taught visual art for fifteen years.

I am currently in my first year practicum working within the public school system as an adjustment counselor intern, and am interested in continuing my work in the school setting on the micro and macro levels, as well as working with teens and adults as a psychotherapist. As our climate continues to change, my prior work in environmental justice and policy makes its way into my work in a variety of ways, and in this realm am particularly interested in the intersection of public health and policy within and outside of the school setting. I am developing a practice that is based in psychodynamic theory and integrates art and somatic modalities.

Outside of work and school, I love to make art, especially ceramics, dance, write, do any kind of physical activity in nature, and be with friends and family. Over the past few years I have replaced much of the grass in my small yard with flower and vegetable gardens and filled in the empty spaces with native plants. The choice to return to school after having a full professional career and while caring for two small children felt like a huge risk, but I'm so grateful to have made this choice as it is enabling what I believe is an essential life change for me. I would love to offer support and help answer any questions you may have!

Gina Stalica
Class of 2024
Pronouns: any
Most recently from: New York, NY
Internship placement location(s): Durham, NC; New York, NY

I'm a white, queer person who grew up in the suburbs of upstate New York. Outside of school and work, I love doing anything outside, seeing live music, reading, running, biking, making art, knitting, eating ice cream, watching basketball, and being with my friends and family.

As a current student, my professional interests are varied – including work with queer and trans people, community mental health, group work, eating disorder recovery – and continue to grow as I learn. My first-year placement at a gender clinic in North Carolina, while gender-affirming medical care was under attack, ignited my interest in policy and advocacy work – something I never anticipated.

Returning to school was one step in a major career and life change. When I was a prospective student, speaking to a Smith SSW admission ambassador was incredibly helpful in my process amidst much self-doubt. Whether you're going through something similar or not, I'd love to pass along that support and help answer any questions you may have!

Sydney Voelbel
Class of 2025
Pronouns: she/her
Most recently from: North Brunswick, NJ
Internship placement location(s): Northampton, MA

I am a 23 year old cis-woman who identifies as a queer, Jewish, cat mom. I was born and raised in New Jersey, but moved to Maryland to earn my bachelors degree in psychology with a concentration in clinical counseling.

My biggest passion is to work with individuals diagnosed with cancer. I am interested in palliative care and end-of-life work and I hope to eventually become an Oncology Social Worker after graduating from Smith. I hope to help support people with a cancer diagnosis through new diagnoses, treatment options, and overall quality of life.

In my free time I love to knit, read, and hang out with my three year old cat, Rex. I am currently living in Northampton with my partner and cat, loving the New England adventure. I am so excited to be an Admissions Ambassador!

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Contact a Current SSW Student

Once you've read through their bios, scroll down to choose which student you want to connect with!

Already know who you want to chat with? Jump to the form!