Kareema Boykin, MSW ‘06, Diane Monceski, MSW ‘03 and IUPUI Chancellor Nasser Paydar
Kareema Boykin, MSW ‘06, Diane Monceski, MSW ‘03 and IUPUI Chancellor Nasser Paydar

Alumni Diane Monceski, MSW receives the Maynard K. Hine Award
Diane Monceski, MSW ’03, was the recipient of the Maynard K. Hine Award for 2020. Named for the first chancellor of the Indianapolis campus, the Maynard K. Hine Award recognizes individual alumni who have made significant contributions in support of the IUPUI campus and its alumni program. Diane is an oncology social worker at Simon Cancer Center. She has been a member of the alumni board since 2002 including serving as president of the board.

Joe Micon and Loretta Oleksy receive 2020 IUSSW Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award

Joe Micon and Loretta Oleksy
Joe Micon and Loretta Oleksy receiving award at IU School of Social Work Alumni Conference

IU School of Social Work graduates Joe Micon and Loretta Oleksy were presented the Distinguished Alumni Award by the IUSSWAA. Joe Micon has over 40 years of leadership with the Lafayette Urban Ministry and has served as executive director. He holds an MSW from IU in 1983. Joe is the only social worker elected to the Indiana General Assembly. He has been a field instructor for more than 100 students, author of numerous publications, lecturer, and fundraiser. Joe is a tireless advocate for Hoosier children and working families, the homeless, the unemployed, the addicted, and the mentally ill. In 2019 Joe and his wife started a scholarship that supports Ivy Tech Human Services graduates transferring to the IU School of Social Work BSW program.

Loretta Oleksy’s combined IU degrees of social work and law has allowed her to practice social work in unique and profound ways. Loretta has represented the rights of persons with disabilities. She developed expertise in representing biological, foster, and adoptive parents through all phases of the court process. While the public policy coordinator for Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, she used her social work skills to draft legislation and coordinate statewide grassroots legislative networks. Loretta also secured passage of several significant pieces of legislation, including the creation of the Indiana Children’s Trust Fund and Kids First license plate. In her current role as Deputy Director for the Indiana Supreme Court Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP), Loretta is charged with establishing programs to support legal professionals who are struggling with addiction, mental health, or disciplinary actions as a result of these issues.