College: Law School
Major: Law
Hometown: Cresco, Iowa
Q: Why did you choose to attend Drake?
A: I chose to attend Drake Law School because of the strong community between students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Also, I was confident Drake Law would provide me the skills I needed to become a successful attorney.
Q: What is your favorite campus memory?
A: My favorite memory was the Barrister’s Ball, also known as Law prom. During my time in undergrad, my favorite memories were cheering on the Bulldogs in the Knapp Center.
Q: How has Drake shaped who you are today?
A: Drake Law has increased my self-confidence in ways I would have never expected. While I learned a lot about the law, I also learned just as much about who I am and the type of person I want to be.
Q: What is next for you after you graduate?
A: After graduation, I will be returning to Northeast Iowa to practice at a private general practice law firm. Access to rural justice has always been important to me, so I’m very excited to be helping people in rural communities.
Q: Who have been some of your important mentors during your time at Drake?
A: There have been so many important mentors throughout my years at Drake, but some of them include Dean John Edwards for his unwavering dedication, Professor James Albert for instilling a strong passion for the law within his students, and Dean Roscoe Jones for his servant leadership and sense of humor. Professor Michelle Krogulski and Professor Lindsay Woodward from the Drake School of Education were also instrumental mentors to me in undergrad as I navigated my future career, and I’m forever grateful for their kindness and wisdom.
Q: Are you involved in any student organizations, groups, or community service work? Tell us about those experiences.
A: I had the incredible honor of serving as the 2024-2025 Student Bar Association President. Before law school, I was never involved in student government, and this role pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me shape my leadership style in ways I’d never imagined. Because of this role, I also had the privilege of serving on the Drake Law School Board of Counselors, and my time on the Board has been so inspiring to see the dedication and commitment of our alumni and their impact on the future of Drake Law. I also served as a legal research teaching assistant, the media editor for the Drake Law Review, and was a member of Delta Theta Phi. I volunteered during Cady Day of Public Service in the Powers of Attorney Clinic and the Pro Se Divorce Clinic.
Q: How has Drake helped you prepare for your future career?
A: Drake Law has prepared me to become a successful attorney by creating the foundation of my legal knowledge. The classes and professors were rigorous, but the skills I’ve learned will carry on well into my career. Drake Law also focuses on experiential learning that has increased my knowledge and confidence.
Q: Based on your experience, what makes Drake special and sets it apart from other schools?
A: Drake University and Drake Law School have such deep alumni relationships that truly set it apart from other schools. Specifically to Drake Law, the geographical location provides endless opportunities for law students to interact with the court system, including the district courts, Iowa Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and the federal U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Being so close to the state’s capital also gives students opportunities to work in the legislature. On top of that, the faculty and staff at Drake Law truly want all students to succeed and be prepared to be future lawyers. The Drake Law community is very strong, and the alumni are always willing to chat with students about their experiences, help students find jobs, and simply be mentors to the next generation of lawyers. I truly could not be more proud to be a Bulldog.