Lawrence Jackson, ’25 MA

The time has come; the sleepless nights have ended, at least for the Social Justice and Human Rights graduate program. The pressure of meeting assignment deadlines and the anxiety of delivering work that meets the professor's expectations have ended.

My studies in Social Justice and Human Rights at Arizona State University's New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences have broadened my knowledge and transformed my understanding of the critical role this field plays on the global stage in protecting vulnerable and marginalized communities Looking back two years ago, I feel incredibly grateful for the development of my education sojourn. `

The program was challenging and overwhelming, yet exciting and rewarding at the same time. Courses such as “International Law and Organizations,” “Migration, Asylum & Refugees,” “Critical Humanitarianism,” and “Research Methods” allowed me to explore the nuances and intersections of social justice and human rights. The interdisciplinary nature of the program provided me with the freedom to learn various theories of social justice. The rigorous effort required to complete the program kept me engaged and focused on meeting the deadlines for each assignment throughout my studies.

I feel fortunate to have encountered some of the best professors in this field. I deeply appreciate their guidance throughout the program. While I hesitate to single out any individual professor since they were all exceptional, Dr. Allen Colbern truly stood out. He went the extra mile to motivate students and was always there to support us, even when I wanted to give up. Dr. Allen was always there to encourage me. His passion for teaching social justice and human rights, his belief in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences as the best at Arizona State University, were inspiring.

My classmates were very supportive of my success in completing my educational sojourn. Supporting each other during the various discussion posts was both fascinating and enlightening. Although I will surely miss the camaraderie that existed amongst us, I am excited about the networking that we established, providing us with the opportunity to challenge each other's ideas respectfully. It is my hope that we continue checking with one another beyond this program.