Impact Stories

Impact Stories features works and accomplishments of the 艾可直播 University Washington College of Law community of faculty, students, and alumni.

Students Volunteer in Navajo Nation During Spring Break

AUWCL student volunteers in the Navajo Nation

Eight 艾可直播 University Washington College of Law students completed volunteer work in the Navajo Nation during the law school鈥檚 spring break week in March. This is the tenth year (2007, 2010, 2012-2019) AUWCL students have participated in this Alternative Spring Break trip. This year, Audrey Mulholland, Caitlyn McDaniel, and Hannah Yates worked with DNA-Peoples Legal Services; Ali Boyd and Cassie McCormick worked with the Navajo Nation Department of Justice; Nick Cross worked with the Navajo Nation Supreme Court; and Alix Bruce and Nick Ripley worked with the Navajo Nation Human Rights Commission.

AUWCL student Nick Cross with Chief Justice Joann Jayne and Associate Justice Eleanor Shirley of the Navajo Nation Supreme Court
AUWCL student Nick Cross with Chief Justice Joann Jayne and Associate Justice Eleanor Shirley of the Navajo Nation Supreme Court

The Alternative Spring Break trip is organized entirely by interested students each year and relies on the good will of attorneys in Window Rock who supervise the student volunteers and often go above and beyond in introducing students to the Navajo Nation. Over the years, the trip has enjoyed the support of the SBA, Action for Human Rights, the Office of Public Interest, and the AUWCL Dean鈥檚 Office.

鈥淔or most students, time on the Navajo Nation is eye-opening,鈥 according to Professor Ezra Rosser, 鈥渂oth in terms of the work experiences and the quick glimpse into life on an Indian reservation that the trip provides.鈥

Highlighting how the law school鈥檚 connection with the Navajo Nation is stronger than ever, two recent graduates, Adjua Adjei-Danso 鈥16 and Lillian Schwales 鈥16, have joined the Navajo Nation鈥檚 Economic and Community Development unit of the Navajo Nation Department of Justice where they work full time.