Kyle Ralston, College of Education, Health, and Human Services
Kyle Ralston is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services with a concentration in Public Health. He has been on the Dean’s list for five terms, is graduating with the honor of high distinction, and is the recipient of 17 scholarships, including the Michigan Competitive Scholarship, Slosberg and Sorscher Memorial Scholarship, James and Maybell Loeb Scholarship, and Maize and Blue Scholarship. Kyle has also been recognized for his research, winning the Best Presentation at the SURE Poster Conference (2019) and the “Awesomesauce in Research” First Place Outstanding Research Award in the CEHHS Mini-Poster Conference (2019).
Kyle has held multiple leadership roles, including serving on the University of Michigan-Dearborn Wellness Collaborative, where he uses his experiences as a student with mental health conditions to help improve the mental health of others on campus. While taking HHS 350: Community Organizing for Health, he was selected as leader for a service-learning group, which involved serving as the communication lead with the group’s community partner. In addition, Kyle worked with multiple departments in CASL, training new student assistants and taking the lead on many projects. For this work, he won a 2019 Student Leadership Award as an Outstanding Student Employee.
Kyle has also been actively involved in service and research activities, working with Assistant Professor of Social Work Jessica Camp as a research assistant in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program. As part of this work, he researched Healing Centered Restorative Engagement (HCRE) and its effects on youth disconnection from work and school. Kyle also participated in a grant writing internship and independent study with Associate Professor of Public Health Natalie Sampson and the Warrendale Community Organization (WCO), planning a solar lighting project and securing a $5,000 grant for the organization’s community garden. In addition, Kyle was part of the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor’s Detroit Community Based Research Program, where he worked with Nortown CDC to create a tourism booklet and write grants.
Kyle’s experiences in scholarship, leadership and service have helped him learn and develop skills that he will take with him into his future. He plans on working in the field of social work after graduation and then attending graduate school for a dual MSW/MPH degree or possibly a doctorate in social work. Kyle wants to continue dedicating himself to helping others and focus on his passion for mental health and trauma by learning and working in that area.