Aside – Page 39 – Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics

Voir Dire with the Freshman Leadership Program

A new semester means another collaboration between the LEAP Center and the Freshman Leadership Program. And this year, the two offices decided to do a Simulated Voir Dire, giving them a broad overview of the jury selection process. And so it was that Associate Dean Lindsay Lauher, FLP Program Assistant Dante Tamez, Professor Mike Yawn, and the LEAP Center’s Sarah-Hope Carter came to be pretend lawyers for a day, along with 30 promising leaders who participate in the Freshman Leadership Program.

The students were provided with creative biographies, requiring them to take on the perspectives of 53 year-old plumbers, 34 year-old teachers, previously convicted drug dealers, and the like. Collectively, they constituted the jury pool, brought together to consider charges of drunk driving with an associated injury.

Professor Yawn stepped them through process of checking in, the background interviews they would do, the research attorneys might undertake, and the legitimate reasons for which a potential juror might be excused.

Yawn took the students through the question-and-answer process that potential jurors go through to determine their suitability, as well as the difference between a “strike for cause” and a peremptory strike.

Beyond the strict voir dire process, students also learned a little about criminal procedure, as well as upcoming events hosted by the LEAP Center. The students, befitting future leaders, were highly engaged, with McKenzie Menefee proving particularly knowledgeable. In fact, Menefee and Lilly Temple-Dozier ended up joining the Pre-Law Society!

It was an enjoyable and educational afternoon, another rewarding cohort of the Freshman Leadership Program.

Simulated Law-School Class: 2024

For the past ten years, SHSU pre-law students have anticipated participating in the Mock Law School Class presented by Professor Val Ricks, Professor at Houston’s South Texas College of Law, and author of law school casebooks on contract law.

This semester, the LEAP Center was excited to welcome the following guests to the Mock Law School Class: Judge Kim Webb, an SHSU alum and a current Justice of the Peace in San Jacinto County; and Ryann Bauer with student members of the Huntsville High School’s Criminal Justice Program.

As in an actual law school class, Professor Ricks expected the 46 registered students to come to class prepared by reading and briefing the case beforehand. After briefly stating the relevant facts of the contract case, Ricks used a random number generator to select students to discuss the legal issue of the case. With skillful Socratic questioning, Ricks led the pre-law students through the analysis of the legal issue in the case, the rule of law, and how the court applied the rule of law in the case.

Neehal Ahmed appreciated Professor Ricks’ teaching style. Ahmed commented, “Professor Ricks made contracts, a daunting subject, seem far less scary through his patient and thorough explanation of concepts and their functions.”

At the conclusion of the contract case discussion, Professor Ricks presented the students with a hypothetical set of facts, similar to a question on a law school exam.

Ricks called on students to analyze the legal issue posed in the hypothetical and asked the class how a court would rule on the legal issue based on the legal reasoning from the contract case discussed earlier in class.

In reflecting on the Mock Law School Class, Christina Biello mirrored the thoughts of a lot of attendees before attending the class. Christina explained, “I was both frightened and eager because I had no idea what to anticipate, even after hours of preparation. However, experiencing Professor Val Ricks’ instruction confirmed my desire to attend law school, and it no longer seems as daunting.”

Neehal Ahmed summed up the experience by recommending “Professor Ricks’ mock law classes to any of those who are interested in attending law school but are scared of the subject matter they may encounter. If you come prepared, this experience can put a lot of your doubts and worries to rest.”

The LEAP Center and Pre-Law Society would like to thank South Texas College of Law–Houston and Professor Val Ricks for their time. As Professor Ricks noted, “I’ve been doing these visits for long enough that I’ve taught students at SHSU in the mock law class, then taught them a class at STCL, and seen them graduate. It’s very gratifying.”

We’d also like to thank Ms. Bauer from Huntsville High School and her wonderful students Hannah Ruth, Riane Davis, and Bethany Bell…

…as well as Judge Kim Webb.

It was a pleasure to have other programs in the community with a dedication to educating students join us for this enriching event!

University of Oklahoma College of Law

Our final highlight of an epic trip was to the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma in order to attend a tour of OU College of Law. This law school sets itself apart instantly just by the size of the building. It is by far the largest of the three we visited while on this trip, with the courtrooms alone being some of the largest in the nation!

Before getting into the tour, the Director of Admissions, Maddie Ferris, took the time to sit with us and discuss where we are in our respective pre-law journeys and was a resource for all of our burning questions.

This was especially kind, and we greatly appreciate her time. As first-generation students, we are heading into the law field with a lot to learn, and the time with her was very helpful.

We also had a wonderful tour, led by OU Law student Candalyn Lyons. We had the chance to view their beautiful library while gaining insight on the various amenities, opportunities, and the culture of OU Law. We were given an awesome tour, and we learned a lot about the virtues of OU Law.

Located less than three hours from Dallas, the school’s last incoming class had a median LSAT of 159 and GPA of 3.71. With in-state tuition less than $23,000 annually, the school offers various clinics and boasts a first-time bar-passage rate of greater than 90 percent. As an added bonus, the school is located in pretty Norman, Oklahoma, a college town of moderate size, which is, in turn, about thirty minutes from the much-larger Oklahoma City.

Just that morning we had seen Oklahoma City, and we spent a bit more time that afternoon looking around OU’s campus–which is beautiful!

We saw numerous pieces of art work by James Surls, Jesus Moroles, a piece by Allan Houser, and we also saw our first “LOVE” sculpture by Robert Indiana.

We were perhaps most impressed by the University’s reading library, which resembles something out of a Harry Potter movie!

This was a great end to a great trip, with much learning about art, the law, architecture, food, and the outdoors.

This trip, a microcosm of the LEAP program’s offerings, cannot be defined nor summarized with an all-encompassing statement, or at least, not in a manner that truly does them justice. However, this tour allowed Cinthia and I to experience a plethora of things that we likely would not have done if not for the amazing opportunities the LEAP Center provides.

In just 8 days, we had 7 dishes with green chili, stayed in 6 different hotels, heavily familiarized ourselves with 5 artists from each of the 4 states we drove through, toured 3 law schools, got stuck in the snow 2 times, and had 1 amazing time doing it all! It was a great trip, full of learning, and we were very grateful to end it on such a high note amidst the friendly hospitality of the Oklahoma prairie.

CHSS Honors Alumni, Faculty at Wall of Honor

For the 10th time, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences gathered to honor faculty and former students who have distinguished themselves. This year, two alumni and one faculty member received the honor: Ron Gay, Lt. Col. Vanessa Hicks-Callaway, and Dr. Terry Thibodeaux.

With 100 people on hand, Mac Woodward–already on the Wall of Honor–served as host, introducing speakers and honorees, and keeping the event moving along. In fact, in its new mix-and-mingle format, the event was shortest on record at approximately an hour and a half.

President White was generous with her time and on hand, and Dean Li also said a few words, with both setting a tone of graciousness and warmth.

The CHSS Advisory Board was also on hand, with two of the Board members having a direct connection to LEAP Ambassadors: Blake Roach was a Junior Fellow, a forerunner to LEAP;

…and Lupe Cuellar was one of the first Sam Houston Austin Interns. Mac Woodward, of course, has been a long-time supporter of the students. It was great to see all of them.

Ron Gay graduated with bachelors and masters degrees in political science at SHSU. He worked for Scott & White for more than two decades, before going into financial advising, and he now owns Ron Gay Financial Services.

He served on the College Station City Council, is the President of the CHSS Advisory Board, and has served the Lions Club for more than 40 years.

Lt. Colonel Hicks-Callaway…

…who majored in political science, has served in the military (where she saw combat in two tours), served as a two-time Governor appointee, and has worked on the Veterans Commission, serving veterans. She thanked President White, Dean Li, the CHSS Advisory Board, civil rights leaders, and others who have helped her along the way–chief among them her husband, also an SHSU graduate.

Dr. Terry Thibodeaux has taught at SHSU for more than 35 years, and he continues to teach in an adjunct capacity and advisor, despite “retiring” in the last couple of years.

Thibodeaux served as an advisor in the Sam Center for many years, Interim Dean for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Chair of the Department of Communications, touching many lives along the way. One such student was Princess Spikes, who was featured in Thibodeaux’s video…

…and who also was on hand to see her Professor accept the award in person. After hearing the nice things she said about Professor Thibodeaux, we thanked her for speaking on his behalf, to which she responded, “I’d do anything for that man.”

Dr. Brandau…

…who succeeded him as Communications Department Chair, had similar notes of esteem, and she was also in the video and on hand, making the evening one of particular poignance.

The night was also a poignant one for us. We had recently attended a presentation by David Brooks, in which he argued that life fulfillment derived primarily from relationships with–and service to–others. Thus, it was particularly special to spend time with some of the people at SHSU whom we have developed relationships with, and to meet others who have spent much energy serving others.

President’s Day with the Lion’s Club

If it’s a federal holiday, you’ll likely see the LEAP Ambassadors helping the Lion’s Club with their “Flag Project,” a project involving the placing of flags on approximately 1.5 miles of downtown area streets.

This morning began early (6:00am) and with a near-freezing temperature (33 degrees), but the Lions Club and the Ambassadors are old pros at this. So, we took a look at the empty streets in the early dawn…

…and we got to work! The process is simple, alternating Texas and US flags down the street, while also placing a half-dozen or so “Support the Lions Club Flag Project” signs.

Seventy minutes later, we were done, a fact that made Brenda very happy!

And since its “Presidents Day,” we wanted to thrown in a couple of fun facts!

Wade Thibodeaux, Publisher of Walker County Press, is the President of the Lions Club.

Brenda Poe, Editor of the Huntsville Item, is the Flag Coordinator (sort of like the Betsy Ross) of the Lions Club.

Morgan Robertson, a History Major and Political Science and Criminal Justice minor, is the President of the LEAP Ambassadors. She is planning on a career in City Government, and she is off to a great start, having interned at the City of Huntsville (twice), the Old Town Theatre, in the Texas Senate during a legislative session, and is currently interning for the City of Madisonville.

As a final bit of trivia, Presidents Day falls in February (third Monday) because George Washington’s Birthday is February 22. He will be 292 in three days! Over time, this holiday also came to incorporate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, whose birthday is February 12.

The LEAP Ambassadors have studied these (and other) Presidents over the years!

Including, of course, Sam Houston!

CJ Real Talk Series: Emergency Management

The College of Criminal Justice works to connect alumni and students in meaningful ways, including their “Real Talk” program. This program brings alumni to campus to meet and speak with students, while highlighting the alum’s current job. Last week, the featured speaker was Adam Lee, who received his master’s degree in Homeland Security from SHSU, and he spoke about the ever-growing importance of emergency management and how students can enter that line of work. (You can watch the program here.)

Student Engagement & Retention Specialist Luke Putman Introduces SHSU Alum Adam Lee

Lee currently works for Memorial Hermann Health System as the Director of Emergency Management and Organizational Resilience but has experience with the public sector of security. His experience includes working as Assistant Emergency Management Coordinator for League City, TX (a position he held in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey) and for SouthEast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC). He held the latter position when COVID descended upon the world.

While both of these emergencies were, in some sense unprecedented, the larger lesson is that emergencies, almost by definition, occur unexpectedly. Even when such events are expected, they may have unexpected outcomes or arrive in an unexpected scale. So, planners and responders will always be needed, and that is especially true in Texas.

Currently, Lee works for Memorial Hermann, and in this role he has focused on a new type of threat: cyberattacks. When you think of the technology that goes into hospital, and the pressing and urgent role they play in keeping people alive, it takes little imagination to think of what a power outage or wide-scale hacking episode could do to a hospital.

Whatever one’s goals within the field of emergency planning and security, Lee suggests networking (such as attending University events!) and education. Unlike much in the world today, the field of emergency planning has a real need for generalists or, as he said, “knowledge a mile wide and an inch deep” and to be a lifelong learner.

Lee threw out the names of free and inexpensive learning tools for emergency preparedness such as PreparingTexas.org and the Center Domestic Preparedness to increase your education. CourseRa also has free (or low cost) emergency management as well, and of course CJ has many courses that will benefit a student looking to enter this field.

And, true to his own advice, he stayed around after–sharing his knowledge and networks with students.

Pre-Law Society Informational Meeting

Are you an SHSU student considering a career in law, but don’t know where to start? If so, SHSU’s Pre-Law Society (PLS) is an excellent start to your pre-law journey!

Prospective Pre-Law Students Discuss the Pre-Law Society

In advance of our first regular meeting, which is on February 21, 2024, officers held an informational for students considering careers in law. With a focus on what the Pre-Law Society does, we highlighted our meetings as well as the benefits of the organization.

VP of Marketing, Cinthia Villarreal, Discusses PLS Advantages

Regular Meetings: The Pre-Law Society meets officially once a month, typically featuring speakers such as defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges, special prosecutors, or law-school admissions representatives. For our first meeting February 21, we are having a mix, with SHSU alums returning to discuss their law-related careers. Guests include Quinn Kobrin (3L at University of New Hampshire Law), Victoria McClendon (first-year attorney in Houston area), and Blake Roach (former aide to Governor Abbott and currently an intergovernmental affairs specialist).

Special Events: The Pre-Law Society also participates in many special events, such as last week’s “How-to-get-into-Law School” discussion with the University of Tulsa College of Law; the upcoming Mock Law class, as well as various special guests, such as former Director of Counterintelligence for the CIA Jim Olson (March 27) and former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales (March 29). Additionally, the PLS offers a Mock LSAT each semester, giving students the opportunity to assess where they are in their law-school preparation.

Walker County DA Will Durham Covers his Role as Prosecutor

When you throw in benefits such as the (1) access to LSAT Resources through the LEAP office, (2) a free t-shirt, (3) access to expanded professional networks, and (4) eligibility for pre-law scholarships, membership in the Pre-Law Society is a great value!

For more information about Pre-Law Society and events, please email Professor Yawn (mike.yawn@shsu.edu) and follow our Instagram @prelawsocietyshsu. Many thanks to all of the students who attended this informational session for Pre-Law Society, and we hope to see you at our first meeting February 21!

If you would like to join the Pre-Law Society, you can pay at CHSS 480 on Monday, February 19 or Wednesday February 21 between 10:30am-1:30pm. Or, you can pay between 5-6pm on February 21 in CHSS 120, just before our regular meeting. Payment can be accepted in the form of cash, check, cashier’s check, or money order.

Seeing Eye-to-Eye with David Brooks

by Cinthia Villarreal

After an insightful day with Megan Henson from the University of Tulsa College of Law, Michelle Cardenas, Christina Biello, Olivia Discon, and I headed to Houston to attend a World Affairs Council event with renowned author David Brooks, the writer of How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen.

As we walked into the glamorous Royal Sonesta Hotel, we had the honor of meeting with former LEAP Ambassadors Quinn Korbin, Victoria McClendon, and Megan O’Flaherty.

Following an introduction by Executive Director Maryanne Maldonado…

…the program was officially kicked off by moderator Ronan O’Malley, Chief Program Officer at WAC.

When asked about his intentions behind writing this book, Brooks mentioned this was his attempt to teach people basic social skills. With measures of societal and individual connectedness at a low, with suicides high and climbing, and with disagreements seemingly both common and insurmountable, Brooks stressed the need for skills that will help people have meaningful, empathetic conversations with others.

One aspect of this, according to Brooks, is that there is no emphasis put on moral or character development. And while Brooks noted that he didn’t want to go back to the 1950s and “sometimes corny” way this was approached then, he does think there is a role for that in today’s society. Moreover, he notes that his own students describe themselves–in my new favorite phrase–as “morally inarticulate”.

As he notes in his book, he describes two types of people in society, which he calls illuminators, who make you feel heard and ask you questions because they are genuinely interested in your story; and diminishers, who usually stereotype people they talk to and are not interested in knowing other’s stories.

Brooks went on to describe how the same experience can affect each person differently since the act of seeing is not passive but an active, subjective construction of reality. Using another phrase that will stay with us, Brooks described “experience” not as “what happens to you but what you do with it.”

Throughout the event, Brooks proved his remarkable skills at managing the crowd. He truly captivated all of us by his amazing way of narrating and communicating his knowledge. He would have the whole room laughing one minute and tearing up the next.

A question from the audience urged Brooks to talk about what to say to someone living with depression. People usually make mistakes like telling the person what to do to “lift” the depression or reminding them of the good things they do have; however, this will only make them feel worse. Instead, he suggests approaching the person with a genuine heart by acknowledging the situation and asking about what they are feeling.

After the thought-provoking talk, we had the opportunity to meet Brooks and get our books signed and personalized.

We would like to thank the World Affairs Council for hosting yet another incredible event, the staff for their hard work, and David Brooks for such an inspirational talk.

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