Southern University Law Center (SULC) students are channeling their energy and commitment not only into their coursework but also into active community engagement, striving to make a tangible difference.
For many law students, the journey toward civic engagement begins in the classroom.
“At its core, civic engagement is advocacy in action,” says Kimberly LaMotte, associate professor of academic success at Southern University Law Center. “Students are doing an outstanding job engaging the local community in the political process by providing information and sound data to empower citizens to exercise their right to vote.”
During this election season, Law Center students have researched and presented on various legal challenges facing their community, such as access to voting and more.
“Hundreds of provisional ballots are thrown out every year because students don’t have the proper information and ID to vote on campus," said LaMotte. "So, my students and I decided to disseminate information to overcome that issue.”
La Capitale (LA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, the Power Coalition for Equity & Justice, and Southern University’s Ag Center joined together for this effort. Through their work, over 500 flyers and door hangers were distributed, and students discussed the importance of voter activation with dozens of peers.
Additionally, Louis A. Berry Institute for Civil Rights & Justice at SULC hosted an Election Protection Training in collaboration with The Legal Defense Fund and the Power Coalition.
This training prepared attendees to safeguard voting rights. During this event, attendees were guided by experienced voting rights attorneys and civic leaders to identify and address voting barriers, advocate for solutions to assist Louisiana voters.
SULC professor Angela A. Allen-Bell emphasizes civic duty through experiential and on-site learning. “Experiential learning allows students to not only know the law but also to witness it in action and observe its shortcomings.”
Whitley Parker, president of the SULC Student Bar Association, and Carlos Pollard, an SULC student and program coordinator with the Power Coalition for Equity & Justice, have been recognized for their outstanding civic engagement at the Law Center.
"Civic duty is the cornerstone of a thriving community; it's our responsibility as students and future leaders to actively contribute and make a difference," said Pollard.
The La-Capitale Links Chapter honored these dedicated students with a Certificate of Appreciation for their efforts in ensuring Law Center students were actively involved in civic duties and registered to vote by organizing a successful week-long voter registration drive.
As Law Center students discover the power of their voices in local government, they continue to exemplify excellence in their communities.
Original source can be found here.