WAYNE COUNTY

Wayne County worker gets WSU grad school scholarship

Charles E. Ramirez
The Detroit News

Wayne County officials have teamed up with Wayne State University to give a county worker a $30,000 scholarship.

Theresa Brestovansky, a 19-year county employee, received the workforce development scholarship from the university’s graduate school. Brestovansky manages the county’s food program in its Department of Health, Veterans and Community Wellness. She also is a part-time student at WSU’s School of Medicine, in the master of public health degree program.

“This scholarship will help me fulfill a dream of continuing my education without the financial barrier, while at the same time expanding my opportunities within the county,” she said.

The county and Wayne State’s public health partnership comes at a time when county officials are working to identify new ways to retain employees and build its workforce for the future.

“A priority of my administration is to improve the quality of life for our employees and the citizens we serve,” County Executive Warren Evans said in a statement. “Awarding this scholarship to a team member in our Department of Health, Veterans and Community Wellness helps to achieve both goals by developing the talent within the county, which will ultimately translate into improved services for the people of our communities.”

Dana Rice, practicum director of the public health master’s degree program, praised the county for partnering with Wayne State to offer graduate training in public health.

“Wayne County was the first organization to step up and say, ‘We want to work with you and your students on your practicum curriculum,’” she said. “We are proud of our ongoing partnership with them, and this launches the program to a new level, with the opportunity for tailored academic courses.”

cramirez@detroitnews.com

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