The Law, Societies, & Justice department at the University of Washington has long been a hub for students who are passionate about exploring the niche intersections between various legal institutions, and how these critically affect social life. With the department growing exponentially each year, LSJ took a step forward during the 2023-2024 academic year by assembling the LSJ Student Engagement Council. This council was created with the clear mission of fostering a stronger sense of community within the growing LSJ department by creating a taskforce of LSJ students to help promote engagement. To help illuminate the mission and goals of this council is the LSJ Student Engagement Council Chair Mollie Chehab, Treasurer Katya Healy, and the Creative Director Mia Garnett.
Mollie did not know about the LSJ major when she came to UW, but during the Spring quarter of her freshman year, two friends she made told her about the major and how much they loved it with how engaging peer discussion was. Mollie decided to take LSJ 200 with Dr. Beck and LSJ 321 with Professor Ben-Natan, a guest lecturer, and she was hooked! Mollie appreciated the enthusiasm of the professors as well as their strong belief that they are teaching the next generation of leaders who will resolve many of the issues we learn about in LSJ. Mollie later found out from a friend about the Engagement Council, and came into the council the following spring quarter. She was able to participate in the Waffle Wednesday event and loved the community aspect the council was creating. Mollie decided to re-apply to the council for this academic year and was ecstatic when Jonathan let her know she would be serving as the chair. In this role, Mollie hopes to create a lasting impact of community and friendship through the events the council hosts. She shares that it truly is an honor to be part of such an incredible board of LSJ students who want to do everything they can to foster community and provide opportunities for students to get involved in the community!
Katya, who is majoring in LSJ with a business minor, didn’t arrive at UW knowing about the LSJ major. The introductory LSJ 200 course piqued her interest in other LSJ courses and served as the catalyst that led to her majoring in this department. Her journey with the Student Engagement Council began after receiving an email encouraging students to apply to the different positions, and with her major coupled with her minor in business, the treasurer role enabled her to combine her skills from both departments. For Katya, the council represents a way to bridge the often individualistic nature of the LSJ major, to a more connected and peer-based environment.
Mia came to UW specifically for the Law, Societies, & Justice program. With her major in LSJ and minors in Public Policy and CHID, Mia’s passion lies in exploring criminal justice through an intersectional lens, combining advocacy and social justice. She first joined the council as a sophomore, surrounded by senior members, and embraced the opportunity to grow within the group. After seeing an ad to apply for the Creative Director role the following year, Mia shared that it has been an empowering experience being surrounded by people who share similar passions and goals. As Creative Director, Mia helps to market the event and by emphasizing the council’s role in community building. She shared that since LSJ is a small department, and historically, there haven’t been many organized events to bring people together, the council’s goal is to change that. The council is working to highlight opportunities across the diverse interests within LSJ, from those pursuing non-profit work, to transfer students seeking a fresh start, alongside promoting internship opportunities
The council has already taken initiatives including start-of-quarter mixers and LSJ study sessions, with networking events such as “Pizza and Political Professions” and community service activities in the works. Katya and Mia, alongside the rest of the Student Engagement Council, are creating spaces for students to connect and collaborate. By making the current LSJ community more interconnected, the council hopes to create a ripple effect that would subsequently attract prospective LSJ students and strengthen the major department. And as the department continues to grow, the council aims to bring students and faculty together, creating a supportive and uplifting environment for academic, professional, and personal growth. Looking ahead, be sure to follow the council on Instagram @uw_lsj_engagement and keep up with the weekly announcements to see the events and opportunities they promote!