Students Volunteer in Navajo Nation During Spring Break
Eight American University Washington College of Law students completed volunteer work in the Navajo Nation during the law school’s 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.
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’s Office.
“For most students, time on the Navajo Nation is eye-opening,” according to Professor Ezra Rosser, “both in terms of the work experiences and the quick glimpse into life on an Indian reservation that the trip provides.”
Highlighting how the law school’s connection with the Navajo Nation is stronger than ever, two recent graduates, Adjua Adjei-Danso ’16 and Lillian Schwales ’16, have joined the Navajo Nation’s Economic and Community Development unit of the Navajo Nation Department of Justice where they work full time.