We’d like to formally introduce our Spring 2026 1st Place Scholarship Recipient, Alannah Loeb. The Lisa Michelle Memorial Fund was established to assist and recognize students who have lost a parent, guardian, grandparent, sibling, and/or spouse to substance abuse. We are proud to award a $1,000 scholarship to assist Alannah this year. Alannah is majoring in Social Work at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a nontraditional Master of Social Work student with a background in holistic health. I currently work for a nonprofit substance use recovery organization, where I support individuals and families navigating addiction and healing. I live in Michigan with my husband and our four cats. I have always felt called to help people, but as I got older, I realized I wanted to formalize that calling by becoming a licensed social worker. My life has been profoundly shaped by loss; I have lost both my mother and my 14-year-old son to suicide, and those experiences have deeply informed my commitment to trauma-informed care and community healing.
Q: Imagine yourself 10 years from now. What goals and ambitions do you have for yourself, personally, academically, and professionally?
Ten years from now, I hope to have earned a Ph.D. and to be leading my own nonprofit center focused on trauma healing and resilience training for children and families. I want to create spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal. Personally, I hope to travel to a new place each year, continue to grow, and intentionally choose joy wherever I can find it.
Q: Aside from a college degree, what do you hope to gain from your college experience?
Beyond earning a degree, I came to graduate school to refine my direction and clarify how I want to serve. I also hoped to build meaningful connections with peers and mentors. For me, college is as much a journey of self-discovery as it is an academic pursuit. It has helped me better understand my strengths, my values, and the kind of leader I want to become.
Q: What motivates you to continue working towards accomplishing your goals?
Living as a suicide loss survivor, I often wrestle with the question of why I am still here when they are not. I reconcile that question through service. I am motivated by the desire to honor their memory by giving back and helping others navigate pain, loss, and healing. Being of service gives my life meaning and keeps me grounded in purpose.
Q: What advice would you give to other students who have been through circumstances similar to yours?
My advice would be to grieve in your own way and at your own pace. Do not let other people’s expectations shape how you process loss. I would also strongly encourage seeking support. Support groups, therapy, and trauma-informed healing practices have been transformative in my own journey. You do not have to carry everything alone.
The Lisa Michelle Memorial Fund 