Difference Makers
UM-Dearborn Difference Makers are at the forefront of their fields. They’re improving the lives of others and making an impact on campus and in our local communities.
I have graduated from law school and begun working for justice. My current job requires working on not only pending cases, but cases where a verdict has been given and an appeal has been filed. It is my job to review those cases and ensure that innocent individuals have not been wrongly convicted.
Tina Moynahan knows it’s impossible to just go to class and go home.
“Extracurricular involvement is a necessary part of the college experience. At University of Michigan-Dearborn, we are not an institution but a community,” she said.
Tina works to bring community into every opportunity presented to her. Working as an orientation leader and orientation program assistant for the Office of Admissions, she knows how important first impressions are, especially when helping incoming freshmen decide what university to call their home. She often can be found decked out in maize and blue, leading tours across campus, sharing her personal experiences with prospective students while offering unique insights about the university.
A member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), Tina was hired by Career Services after her impressive community outreach as a new member. She volunteered to create an executive board, for which she now serves as chair and co-adviser. The NSLS inducts more than 150 members each year, and Tina has worked to create a culture of service within the organization by connecting new and active members through volunteerism. She organized a toy drive for C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, a canned goods drive for the CIViC, and a drive for items for military care packages. Most recently, Tina led the NSLS in forming a Relay for Life team, which raised more than $1,300 and earned the NSLS the Rookie of the Year award.
“Community service is a huge part of Tina’s personal mission as well as her vision and plan for NSLS objectives as the program moves forward,” said Julie Kell of Career Services. “Tina’s work has gained national attention. She was recently awarded the National Engaged Leader Award from the NSLS for going above and beyond the induction requirements.”
Throughout her time at UM-Dearborn, Tina has been able to develop her passion for community into a love for social justice that has helped her find a new home in the court room. After graduating in April with high honors, she plans to pursue her dreams of attending law school to become a judge.
