Advocacy in Action:  2L takes advantage of Minnesota Law’s programs to champion human rights around the world

Suzanne Mead, a 2L at Minnesota Law, has big plans to pursue a career in international human rights law advocacy after graduation. Mead chose this area of work because it combines her immense passion for helping people with her interest in the Mandarin language, which she has studied for well over a decade. Because of Minnesota Law’s reputation of public interest law programs and the notoriety of the Human Rights Center (HRC), it was Mead’s first choice when picking a law school. 

However, Mead explains that she would not have the opportunity to pursue this passion if it was not for the scholarship support she has received. Mead is a first-generation law student who wants to work in public interest law, which is typically not a high paying field. Mead expresses, “The ability to participate in top notch clinics, do unpaid internships, and get support from the career center is very important for all students, but especially for those that don’t necessarily have the financial resources or support. Just the fact that these incredible opportunities exist at Minnesota Law is amazing. As a scholarship recipient and as someone who benefits from the many resources at the Law School, I can’t say thank you enough to the donors who make it all possible.”

During her time here at Minnesota Law, Mead has been busy building her resume while getting hands-on experience. Currently, she is working in the Human Rights Litigation and Legal Advocacy Clinic. She describes the experience as “awesome because it has let me gain real world experience in the advocacy route, which is exactly what I want to do. It’s been a huge opportunity to compare my real-world experience with my original expectations to help me decide if this is actually what I want to do in the future. Plus, it’s amazing to be able to add that experience to my resume.” In addition, Mead was a part of a field placement through the HRC as a legal extern, where she worked with United Nations Women working on a report documenting human rights violations against LGBTQ communities around the world. And top of all of that, she finds time to serve as Co-Vice President of the University of Minnesota’s chapter of Minnesota Justice Foundation.

Mead describes her overall experience at the Law School so far as extremely positive. Between her human rights focused clinic experience and her participation in the HRC legal externship Mead shares, “It’s been so cool to see the reason I came to Minnesota Law come to fruition, and I’m so grateful to the donors who helped make it possible.”

You can support students like Mead or Minnesota Law’s clinical programs by making a gift today.