PROGRAM DIRECTOR
ANGELIQUE DAY, PhD, MSW
Dr. Day is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Wayne State University. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences and is presently the Director of TIP Wayne State.
Prior to her appointment at WSU, Dr. Day worked as the founder and coordinator of Michigan State University’s Foster Youth Alumni Services Program, a college access and retention program for students who have aged out of foster care and are interested in obtaining a post-secondary credential. Dr. Day was also formerly employed with Michigan’s Children, a statewide, private, non-profit children’s advocacy organization, where she provided leadership in developing the agency’s child welfare policy agenda. She also led the Youth Policy Leadership Program, an effort that provided opportunities for youth voice, many of whom were in foster care, in the public policy debate.
In addition to her work with young people aging out of foster care, Dr. Day has experience working for the Michigan Department of Human Services as a child protective services worker, as well as extensive experience in research and training, including services in tribal communities across the State. Dr. Day’s professional experience in research, policy development, child welfare practice, and her personal experiences as a former ward of the court, make her uniquely qualified to continue to provide leadership in training, research, and consultation in the field of child welfare.
Dr. Day is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Wayne State University. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences and is presently the Director of TIP Wayne State.
Prior to her appointment at WSU, Dr. Day worked as the founder and coordinator of Michigan State University’s Foster Youth Alumni Services Program, a college access and retention program for students who have aged out of foster care and are interested in obtaining a post-secondary credential. Dr. Day was also formerly employed with Michigan’s Children, a statewide, private, non-profit children’s advocacy organization, where she provided leadership in developing the agency’s child welfare policy agenda. She also led the Youth Policy Leadership Program, an effort that provided opportunities for youth voice, many of whom were in foster care, in the public policy debate.
In addition to her work with young people aging out of foster care, Dr. Day has experience working for the Michigan Department of Human Services as a child protective services worker, as well as extensive experience in research and training, including services in tribal communities across the State. Dr. Day’s professional experience in research, policy development, child welfare practice, and her personal experiences as a former ward of the court, make her uniquely qualified to continue to provide leadership in training, research, and consultation in the field of child welfare.
CAMPUS COACHES
CLINICAL CASE MANAGER
MEGAN PENNEFATHER, LLMSW
Megan graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in English and worked as a reporter before attending the School of Social Work at Wayne State University. She graduated with her MSW in 2011. Prior to joining TIP she worked with Dr. Debra Patterson as a project coordinator on a federal study evaluating a nationwide forensic nurse training program. She also has experience working with adolescents in foster care, at-risk youth and in health care settings.
Megan graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in English and worked as a reporter before attending the School of Social Work at Wayne State University. She graduated with her MSW in 2011. Prior to joining TIP she worked with Dr. Debra Patterson as a project coordinator on a federal study evaluating a nationwide forensic nurse training program. She also has experience working with adolescents in foster care, at-risk youth and in health care settings.
COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH COORDINATOR
AIRIKA BUFORD LLMSW
Airika is the communications and outreach coordinator for Wayne State's TIP Program. She is a Wayne State University alumni ('08) having graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. Airika also obtained a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ('10) concentrating on Community Organizing within Community and Social Systems. During her studies, Airika was featured several times in the inaugural, student led, SSW research Journal. Airika also has a background in Child Welfare as she worked for 4 1/2 years as a Foster Care Specialist for the State of Michigan (Macomb County). She is also a member of Michigan Nonprofit Association and is a recent graduate of MNA's Leadership With Purpose program. In the near future, Airika would like to further pursue her education by obtaining a doctorate that would allow for her do further research on improving the child welfare system, for both the families and employees and also developing program and services to address the many needs of at-risk minority males.
Airika is the communications and outreach coordinator for Wayne State's TIP Program. She is a Wayne State University alumni ('08) having graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. Airika also obtained a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ('10) concentrating on Community Organizing within Community and Social Systems. During her studies, Airika was featured several times in the inaugural, student led, SSW research Journal. Airika also has a background in Child Welfare as she worked for 4 1/2 years as a Foster Care Specialist for the State of Michigan (Macomb County). She is also a member of Michigan Nonprofit Association and is a recent graduate of MNA's Leadership With Purpose program. In the near future, Airika would like to further pursue her education by obtaining a doctorate that would allow for her do further research on improving the child welfare system, for both the families and employees and also developing program and services to address the many needs of at-risk minority males.
