Opening
The Law, Societies, & Justice (LSJ) Department at the University of Washington continues to cultivate a vibrant community dedicated to understanding the complex intersections of law, power, and social life. As the department grows, so does its commitment to student engagement through the LSJ Student Engagement Council—a group of students who work to strengthen community, connection, and collaboration across campus.
The Council reflects LSJ’s broader mission of connecting critical inquiry with community, giving students a hands-on role in shaping the department’s culture and fostering belonging across the university.
This year, Helena Burroughs, the Council Chair, and Aditi Mangla, the Treasurer, are among the student leaders guiding the council’s efforts. Helena, majoring in Law, Societies, & Justice and Political Science with a Business minor, and Aditi, majoring in Law, Societies, & Justice and Economics, each bring unique interdisciplinary perspectives to their roles. Both found their place in the department by seeking community and meaning beyond the classroom and now work to create that same sense of belonging for others.
Finding a Home in LSJ
Helena joined the Student Engagement Council in the spring of her second year after being “inspired by the vibrant and welcoming community” within LSJ. She explained that her goal in joining was about “helping students find a home in the university” and “wanting to leave a mark on the community.” Aditi joined the Council in spring 2024, having declared LSJ as her second major the previous winter. “I was motivated to join because even though LSJ is my second major, it’s the one I feel the most connected to,” she said. “I wanted to give back to the department, help create a community, and be a part of it.”
Creating Space for Connection
When asked about how the Council builds community, Helena highlighted the importance of listening and creating spaces where all voices are welcome. She described Waffle Wednesday as “a good place to ask questions and get answers,” adding that it’s “a safe atmosphere” where “everyone is equal.” Helena also noted that events like Kahoots with Professors help “make professors more human” and that “even non-LSJ students join.”
She explained that the goal of these events is not just to bring people together but to create approachable and lasting connections across classes and majors. “It’s about helping students feel comfortable asking questions and finding a community that supports them,” she said.
Aditi shared that for her, events like Waffle Wednesday allow “undergraduates to talk and learn from upperclassmen through discussion.” She added that she first “applied to LSJ on a whim,” but the community and collaboration she found through the Council deepened her connection to the department.
Leadership, Learning, and Collaboration
Reflecting on leadership, Helena said she has learned the importance of “adaptability” and emphasized that her work on the Council is “about advocating for students and professors.” She added that the experience has taught her “patience” and reinforced her “motivation to help students.” Aditi emphasized the Council’s collaborative nature. “Everyone is willing to listen, even if it’s not a part of their role,” she said. “It’s self-guided—we don’t need constant advisor attention.
Their academic paths have also shaped their leadership styles. Helena described how her studies in Political Science and LSJ complement one another. She said that Political Science gives her a “backbone for LSJ,” while LSJ brings “emotion and empathy as an asset for justice.” Her work with a juvenile program has also allowed her to “learn about injustices in the system” and apply “organization and people skills” developed in LSJ to her work in a First-Year Interest Group (FIG).
Aditi shared that she “came in to do an Econ major,” but LSJ helped her connect theoretical learning to justice-oriented work. “Economics teaches practical skills, but LSJ helps you understand justice,” she said. “It’s helped me in internships, like working for a Seattle senator and at the Washington State Housing and Finance Commission.” She explained that in her work on affordable housing, she saw how “LSJ and Econ connect in real life.”
Advice and Looking Ahead
When asked what advice they have for new LSJ students, Helena said: “Follow your passion and instincts. Find a community that feels right, aligns with your morals and pursuits, and find safety. Go outside your comfort zone, try everything, and see what sticks.”
Aditi agreed, encouraging peers to “read the emails from advisors,” adding, “I went to D.C. with JSIS because of the emails.”
Looking forward, Helena said she hopes to build “stronger connections with professors” and “figure out how to leave an impact.” She added that the Council plans to continue “doing what they always do, more events, more social media, polling students, and learning what they want,” with the goal of “leaving it stronger than it was.” Aditi echoed that same focus on community, saying she hopes to “meet more people in LSJ” and “create a community that regularly comes to events.” She added, “I want to know people by their names—it’s about having a stable department and being a consistent part of LSJ.”
Stay Connected
To keep up with upcoming events and opportunities, follow the LSJ Student Engagement Council on Instagram at @uw_@uw_lsj_engagement and check the weekly LSJ announcements. Whether through a waffle, a Kahoot, or a heartfelt conversation, the Council continues to remind students that community is at the heart of justice. Through their efforts, the Council continues to embody LSJ’s mission of transforming learning into leadership and community into lasting impact.