Join us on October 27th from 12-2pm in the LSA Building for an exciting afternoon with U-M Sociology alumni! We have invited 5 alums from various backgrounds to give current Sociology students a glimpse at what post-graduation life can look like for someone with an undergraduate Sociology degree. Enjoy a free lunch while we have conversations centered around the alums’ time as an LSA student, their journeys to the careers they are in today, and the challenges they’ve overcome along the way. Business attire is not required, so please come as you are!


You should attend this event if you are:
A liberal arts and/or sciences (LSA) student
Interested in learning more about what post-grad life is like for a Soc alum


What you’ll gain by attending:
Lunch!
Insight into the wide range of careers available to you after graduation
The opportunity to network with alums who have been where you are


RSVP now to reserve your spot! Lunch will be served. If you have any questions you’d like to ask the panel, please fill out the form in the sidebar by Wednesday, October 21.

Alum Bios:

Jasmine Brooks - Consulting & Nonprofit
Jasmine Brooks, M.Ed., Jasmine has been advising and guiding others in their decisions towards success since 2010. She began her career as a first-grade teacher in Detroit, and then as a college success counselor for high school students. Since then, she has served in roles such as the National Honor Society Advisor, Dean of Students and Dean of College Success, and Assistant Principal with a primary focus on the matriculation and graduation rate of high school students into post-secondary institutions.

Jasmine founded JMB Advising, an educational consulting company that has grown from supporting high school and college students to servicing school curriculum development, individual clients, and out-of-school programming. This role helped connect her to the Detroit College Access Network, where she now serves as the Senior Director of Graduate 313. DCAN’s focus is to open three community hub locations across Detroit that will support students, families, and residents of Detroit as they earn post secondary credentials within the next 5 years.




Lauren Bacans-Grounds - Public Health

Born and raised in Michigan, Lauren is now the Executive Director at the Islamic Food Bank of Toledo. She received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan and planted her roots in Perrysburg Heights a few years later.

As a community organizer, volunteer manager, and program manager for many years, she is passionate about joyful volunteer experiences that create positive impact in the community. She also believes in building strong community networks; we must all work together to support each other.

In her spare time, she fosters cats (with the help of her husband, dog, and four cats), and she likes to cook and hike.


Jeff May - Law
Jeff May is a member of Bodman's Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group where he represents business clients in complex commercial disputes. He is also a member of the Municipal Law and Government Relations Practice Group where he handles municipal litigation on behalf of municipal and private clients and counsels township boards and city councils on a broad range of governance matters. Mr. May currently serves as the prosecuting attorney for the cities of Howell and Brighton.

Prior to his career in law, Mr. May worked for over 5 years in the music industry, primarily serving as a booking agent for independent music artists, where he negotiated financial terms for performances, designed and implemented touring plans, researched prospective business partners, and issued contracts. He also worked as a tour manager and concert promoter.




Yevgenia Gazman - Law
Yevgeniya Gazman graduated in 2002 from the University of Michigan with a BA in Sociology and a specialization in Criminology, Law, & Deviance. Ms. Gazman earned her JD in 2007 from the University of Minnesota. She is a staff attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center Detroit office where she specializes in representing unaccompanied children through their immigration proceedings in state and immigration court, as well as before administrative bodies. Ms. Gazman is a regular contributing writer and photographer for the Detroit Jewish News. She is also the founder and creative force behind YGazm Art, LLC. Her company's motto is “Good Through Art Together.”

Susie Schutt - Mental Health

Susie Schutt is a mental health counselor, registered drama therapist, theatre director, and intimacy director based in Rhode Island. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she earned a B.A. in Sociology and Social Inequality, with a focus on race, class, and gender. Susie went on to receive a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Drama Therapy from Lesley University in Massachusetts.

Susie currently works with schools, recovery centers, families, and individuals across Rhode Island through Thrive Behavioral Health, 2nd Act, and her private practice, Third Person Therapy, LLC. She served as Director of Education & Drama Therapist at The Gamm Theatre, a professional theatre in Rhode Island, from 2014 to 2022. She continues to work as a theatre and intimacy director with local colleges and theatre companies throughout New England.