Meagan is a CCJC student who demonstrates how undergraduate research can help you discover your passions. And for Meagan, it’s advocating for those who have been wrongfully convicted.

Understanding immigration lawyers

“In my course at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, I was fortunate enough to work alongside Professor Maya Barak as her research assistant. Through this project, we looked at immigration attorneys and their motivations for why they chose to pursue that as their career. Ultimately, our findings showed that it was not due to their desire to be 'cause lawyers,' but instead because of their social backgrounds and identities as well as their will to help their clients. This position provided me with extensive knowledge of the research process and lead to my first co-authorship.”

Meeting your mentor

“Professor Maya Barak is a faculty member who I would consider a mentor. Through working with her in the research she conducted as well as the classes she taught, I have been shown her passion and will to help others. She is among one of the first professors that I felt truly cared about their students and their will to succeed. She prioritizes learning and the process of thinking.”

Exonerating those who are wrongfully convicted

“From my experience within my programs, I have come to the realization that I would like to help those that are wrongfully convicted in the criminal justice system. Through the classes I took and the multitude of stories I read of those with firsthand experience, I understood the hardships and ripple effects wrongful convictions have. In the future, I hope to work or volunteer for The Innocence Project!”