The intersectional nature of the MSL program attracts students from a wide variety of interest areas and academic backgrounds. This diversity leads to a fantastic classroom environment and also leads MSL students to get involved in a rich and varied set of co-curricular opportunities outside of the MSL classroom. MSL Senior Program Coordinator Nicole Schneider recently sat down with full-time MSL student Emily Marun to discuss Emily’s outside-the-classroom activities and what she has gained thus far from her co-curricular involvement. Please continue reading to learn more about what Emily had to say:

NS: Please tell us what student organizations you currently represent:

EM: I currently work on the MSL Student Governance Committee, and two specific subcommittees: Marketing & Recruiting and Public Service. I also represent the Latinx Law Student Association (LLSA), Northwestern Society of Law and Medicine, and the Student Mental Health Alliance (SMHA).

NS: Why did you get involved with these particular organizations?

EM: I decided to participate in MSL student governance to give back to the community that has been integral to my professional formation and growth. In terms of the subcommittees I chose, I concluded that there could be no better way to give back than to help recruit the future students who will give the program its unique flavor, and I also wanted to facilitate my colleagues’ involvement with volunteer opportunities within the law school itself and the greater Chicago community. Given that I will be commencing medical school the fall of 2022, I wanted to get involved in the Northwestern Society of Law and Medicine to continue exploring the merging of these two bodies of knowledge. And finally, engaging with LLSA was an avenue for me to continue cultivating my Latin-American roots, meet individuals with whom I share the culture, and enhance my awareness of the legal and political issues minority populations must navigate.

NS: What is your role within these organizations?

EM: My role on the Public Service Subcommittee includes coordinating a wide array volunteer opportunities for my MSL colleagues, tailored to both the residential and online populations.  While on the Marketing & Recruiting Subcommittee, I have served on an Open House panel and will be working to propel the MSL Ambassador Program forward. As for my role as an MSL representative in the other organizations, my duties include informing the MSL class of the events hosted by the organizations with which I am affiliated, hosting and attending weekly coffee chats with SMHA to create a space where all are welcome to decompress, and serving as a nexus between the MSL student body and that of the greater law school.

NS: What has been your favorite part of being involved with these organizations?

EM: I have enjoyed the opportunity to mingle with peers in the JD and LLM programs, as well as to collaborate with my classmates to plan new projects and bring them to life. Across the various organizations with which I am involved, there is always something exciting occurring, whether it be a movie night, alumni mixers, panels, or cultural celebrations.

NS: Are there any interesting/exciting upcoming events?

EM: One event I look forward to is the MSL Holiday Extravaganza, in which we will be crafting holiday cards and collecting clothing to donate to the Chicago Lights Food Pantry, all to culminate in a class celebration at the Lincoln Park Zoo Lights. I find that there is nothing more rewarding than coming together in the spirit of giving, especially to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate around the holiday season. Another one of the Public Service Subcommittee’s endeavors I am looking forward to is the coordination of a panel and speaker series for the Chicago public schools. As for a future undertaking of the LLSA, we anticipate hosting a table at the Global Village!

NS: What advice would you give to incoming MSL students interested in co-curricular activities?

EM: Regard this one year (or series of years) as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself within an environment unlike any other. Take advantage of all the opportunities made available, be open-minded to trying activities that you may have shied away from in the past, and leave your mark on the MSL community. There are countless opportunities available tailored to all tastes and interests. Use your passions to make a difference and to make your time count.