Elizabeth Meehan, Class of 2029
This summer I worked on multiple projects with Professor Means tied together by the common theme of emphasizing the importance of judicial diversity and restorative justice. Over the course of eight weeks I co-authored a journal article with Professor Means for the Louisiana Creole Research Association, worked as a research assistant at The Next Act therapeutic theater arts program for Dutchess County youth, helped with planning the 2027 Jane Bolin Day program, and organized potential spotlights for publicity for Professor Means’s book, Robed Representatives: How Black Judges Advocate in American Courts.
As part of my research for La Creole, I reached out to Louisiana federal judges for interviews, speaking with them about judicial diversity and Creole representation on the federal bench. Further, I researched and wrote the literature review of the journal article on Louisiana Creole history and origins, and I highlighted how Creole judicial representation has been underrepresented. I also wrote and performed qualitative analysis of Creole judges’ biographies and policy work—underscoring the importance of the multifaceted background they bring to the bench.
Working as a research assistant on The Next Act, I interviewed previous staff to possible areas of improvement in the program, as well as to prepare for my own role. For the duration of the program, I observed and also participated in the theater activities, writing reflective notes on the students’ progress. Each week I created a newsletter with highlights from the program to be sent home with the students for their parents/guardians to see. I conducted interviews and administered surveys to the students to assess their progress in terms of comfortability, helpfulness, and self-confidence.
Some of the artwork created from The Next Act’s young artists during a college-prep workshop.
Through this project, I learned more about the academic processes of researching and writing. I enriched myself in the learnings of judicial representation and rehabilitative practices in the justice system.