Law-Related Student Organizations, Experiential Programs Elect New Executives, Look Forward to 2021-22

Phi Alpha Delta on a law school visit

The Center for Law, Justice & Culture provides robust opportunities for students to engage in co-curricular and experiential learning through its several-affiliated student organizations and programs.

For many, student organizations are a way to actively engage with their future career in law, politics, and advocacy outside of the classroom.

“Getting actively involved in student organizations and experiential learning is beneficial to students for a host of reasons,” says Pre-Law Advisor Larry Hayman, Esq., who serves as an adviser to many of the organizations.

“In addition to making friends and having fun, students are able to expand on concepts and skills that they learn in the classroom while learning new ones such as teamwork, networking, and public speaking skills. Participation gives opportunities to develop leadership skills while working with diverse groups of people. All of these skills will serve a student well in whatever path they choose—whether it be law school, graduate school, or entering the workforce.”

As spring semester comes to a close, these organizations have been holding virtual elections to select their executives for the 2021-22 academic year, hoping they will be able to host meeting in person again in the fall. Executive board positions provide students opportunities to develop leadership skills and invest in an organization’s mission while bringing innovative and exciting ideas for the future or the organization.

Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity

Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, International is Ohio University’s only pre-law fraternity. The organization boasts more than 80 active members on campus. With a long legacy at OHIO and internationally, Phi Alpha Delta values legal education, service, and community among members. After an incredibly competitive election, Phi Alpha Delta will be led by

• President Ali Gucwa, a junior majoring in Geography Environmental Pre-Law with a minor Political Science with a certificate in Environmental Studies
• Vice President Angel Vergona, a junior majoring in Political Science Pre-Law, with a minor in Sociology, and certificates in Law, Justice & Culture and Diversity Studies
• Treasurer Makayla Walter, a freshman majoring in English Pre-Law and Political Science with a certificate in Environmental Studies
• Secretary Alexander Bihari, a junior double majoring in Spanish and Political Science
• New Member Coordinator Micaela Beatham-Garcia, a junior majoring in Political Science Pre-Law, with a minor in History, and certificates in Law, Justice & Culture and War and Peace Studies

Alumni help with mock trial team preparation.

Ohio University Mock Trial Team

The Ohio University Mock Trial team is a selective and competitive student organization, competing in the American Mock Trial Association’s network of nationwide tournaments. Each year, approximately 20 students divide into teams to prepare a legal case for trial against competing colleges and universities. Students compete for individual awards, such as Best Attorney and Best Witness, as well as working to advance the team into more competitive rounds. As the organization looks ahead to an exciting civil case, involving the murder of a confidential informant, Mock Trial is also introducing a new leadership board:

• President Micaela Beatham-Garcia, a junior majoring in Political Science Pre-Law with a minor in History, and certificates in Law, Justice & Culture and War and Peace Studies
• Vice President Ali Gucwa, a junior majoring in Geography Environmental Pre-Law with a minor Political Science with a certificate in Environmental Studies
• Treasurer Colin Schilf, a freshman majoring in Physics through the Honors Tutorial College with minors in Math and Chemistry
• Secretary Nick Bohuslawsky, a sophomore majoring in Political Science Pre-Law with a certificate in Law, Justice & Culture
• New Member Coordinator Hailey Gifford, a junior majoring in Political Science Pre-Law

ACLU of Ohio University

The Ohio University American Civil Liberties Union is the only undergraduate student group of the ACLU in  Ohio. With a small but mighty group of dedicated students, the ACLU works to educate the student community on their civil liberties, as well as promoting opportunities for civil discourse. Looking into the next school year, the organization will be led by:

• Director Micaela Beatham-Garcia, a junior majoring in Political Science Pre-Law with a minor in History, and certificates in Law, Justice & Culture and War and Peace Studies
• Deputy Director Angel Vergona, a junior double majoring in Political Science Pre-Law and Sociology-Criminology, with a minor in History, and certificates in Law, Justice & Culture and Diversity Studies
• Treasurer Daniela Grijalva, a senior double majoring in Political Science and Global Studies Latin America with a minor in Anthropology
• Secretary Hailey Gifford, a junior Political Science Pre-Law major
• New Member Coordinator Kelly Dawson, a sophomore double majoring in Political Science Pre-Law major and Sociology-Criminology

The Center of Law, Justice, & Culture is proud of the work of the work accomplished by the leadership of the law related student organizations in 2021-2022 and is excited to usher in a new group of leaders on Ohio University’s campus for the Fall.