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Alumni briefs: Lavergne, MSW ’94; Simmons, MSW 19; Kranbuehl, MSW 17; O’Neal, MSW ’81; Cagle, MSW ’98; Estes, MSW ’09

Kristin Lavergne, MSW ’94, recently celebrated 25 years of service with Inter-Faith Council for Social Service. Lavergne is the community services director and works closely with IFC’s staff to connect people with the resources and services they need.

Nora Simmons, MSW ’19, is serving this summer as a policy intern with the National Association of Social Workers in Washington, D.C.

Karen Kranbuehl, MSW ’17, was one of eight people invited to participate in a roundtable discussion with Gov. Roy Cooper and Secretary of Health and Human Services Mandy Cohen on the need to expand Medicaid in North Carolina through the state budget and the importance of Medicaid expansion in addressing substance use disorder. Kranbuehl is the founder of Say It Solutions.

Laura S. O’Neal, MSW ’81, was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to serve a 4-year term on the Nash Community College Board of Trustees. O’Neal worked for the Nash County Department of Social Services for 42 years in various roles, including as assistant director and director.

Bobby Cagle, MSW ’98, was featured in a video produced by Southern California’s PBS network and its Social Impact Initiative. Cagle, a former foster child and trained social worker, directs the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.

Ryan Estes, MSW ’09, was elected Region V representative of the national board of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Estes will represent NASW members in North Carolina, Washington, D.C., Virginia and West Virginia. Estes is the treatment operations director for Coastal Horizons Center in Wilmington, where he focuses on focuses on program development, fiscal and policy oversight, and clinical and administrative consultation.