Alumni Snapshot: Abi Steinmeier

Name: Abi Steinmeier

NHA Schools Attended: Excel Charter Academy, Class of 2014; Grand River Prep High School, Class of 2018

Colleges Attended and Degrees Earned: Davenport University, Bachelor of Applied Science; Kuyper College, Bachelor of Social Work; University of Michigan, Master of Social Work (MSW)

Current Employer & Position: School Social Worker at Excel Charter Academy

Tell us about your journey since you graduated from NHA: After high school, I entered undergrad at Davenport University and Kuyper College in a consortium program where I earned my Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Social Work, respectively. I went on to the University of Michigan and graduated with my Master of Social Work (MSW) with an emphasis in Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse. Throughout my career, I have worked with at-risk youth in many settings, assessed and provided intervention for individuals in mental health crisis, and supported families with children in foster care. I now apply all these experiences to working at Excel Charter Academy, where I’m the school social worker.

Which Moral Focus™ virtue has best shaped your life and why? Integrity. Leading with integrity allows people to feel safe around you. They know that you can be trusted and know that you will follow through on what you say you will do. This has been an important value in my life from elementary school and beyond.

How did your NHA schools help prepare you for your academic and life experiences? Excel gave me the foundations to be successful in the rigorous expectations of Grand River Prep. At Grand River Prep, I was able to explore many different facets of who I would eventually become as an adult through the courses and extracurriculars offered.