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Joining the Jurisprudence Learning Community (JPLC), one of four LCs at the Schar School of Policy and Government, helped Madison Quick hone in on her career aspirations. The sophomore government and international politics major, who has minors in conflict analysis and resolution and ethics and AI, always had an interest in the political process, specifically the U.S. Congress and legislation.
After her involvement with JPLC, however, she now knows she wants to attend law school and practice civil law. She credits the JPLC curriculum and the learning community’s director, Shea Holman, for crystallizing her goals.
The learning community is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in law, either those exploring how the law pertains to their chosen career path in public administration, policy, or politics, or those hoping to pursue law school after graduation. The yearlong program includes one 3-credit course in the fall and one 1-credit course in the spring. In addition, JPLC students take field trips in the Washington, D.C. area and to Richmond, Virginia, tour local law schools and law firms, and attend weekly dinner sessions with high-profile leaders from the legal profession.
“I didn’t realize how diverse the legal field was before I took the class,” Quick said. “I thought, you’re a lawyer, you go to the courtroom, but there are so many different things that you can do in the law. And it’s really cool learning about it.”
Quick values the fact that Holman is a practicing lawyer and policy advocate and prior to teaching at the Schar School, she specialized in workplace harassment reform, gender equity, and civil rights.
“She still does policy work for women and that's really important to me,” Quick said. “Seeing that she’s really passionate about helping women, I just really appreciate that.”
In addition to JPLC, Quick serves as a learning assistant for undergraduates, acting as a resource as they transition to college and its academic demands. She also interns with George Mason’s LGBTQ+ Resources Center where, through the All Together Queer event series, she helps students stand up for themselves and share their experiences in a welcoming environment. All of which relate to what she hopes to do once she becomes a lawyer.
“I've always been passionate about advocacy, but I thought the only way to make meaningful change was to go into the legislative branch,” Quick said. “Being part of JPLC has given me the opportunity to explore all the different ways that I can advocate for people as a lawyer.”