Two students talk about their opportunities to lead in NYU Law student organizations.
Justin Lee ’23
Former co-chair, Asian-Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA)
Being part of APALSA gave me so much of what’s made being at NYU great. From the first week of 1L, it gave me a community: friends, mentors, a home at the Law School where I could get professional development, networking, social events, all in one place. And that was especially important since my class started 1L remotely.
So co-leading APALSA was a huge privilege. It was an opportunity to give other students the same opportunities that I had. We helped the Asian American and Pacific Islander community navigate the challenges of coming back together—in person—during a pandemic, and I think we really succeeded in renewing our community’s energy.
Yeabsira Asrat ’24
Former community service co-chair, Women of Color Collective (WoCC) and Black Allied Law Students Association (BALSA); Jacob Marley Foundation Scholar in Memory of Christopher Quackenbush ’82 within the AnBryce Program
WoCC and BALSA are communities that I am greatly blessed to belong to. I decided to serve as the community service co-chair for both student groups because I wanted to facilitate joint events. My role allowed me to create opportunities for our members to bond with each other while serving the greater New York City community. My co-chair Yvonne Diabene ’24 and I hosted a care package assembly event where WoCC members socialized with each other while packaging self-care items for BronxWorks, an organization feeding, sheltering, teaching, and supporting New Yorkers in need. In BALSA, mentor pods made up of 1Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls volunteered at a community kitchen under the leadership of our community service committee member Romanda Dobson ’24.
These interviews have been condensed and edited. Read about more NYU Law students and their activities.
Posted September 11, 2023